Barraba

Barraba is a historical village in the Nandewar Ranges. The district was explored in 1827 by Allan Cunningham, and the first farm in the district was established by 1838. The discovery of gold helped the village to grow from the 1850s. A railway ran to Barraba from 1908 to 1987. Barraba was a sheep and wheat district, but now beef cattle predominates. Copper and asbestos were mined in the district, and gemstones and fossils can be found. Barraba is in the Bundarra-Barraba Important Bird Area, which protects the habitat of the endangered regent honeyeater.

Visitor information centre

• Tamworth Regional Council - Barraba Office

  phone: +61 2 6782 1105
  address: 108 Queen Street
  Tourist and visitor information. Centrelink agent. Service NSW office. Public library.

Visitor information outlets

• Barraba Bakery

  address: 81 Queen Street

• Saunders Fruit and Vegetable Supplies

  address: 83 Queen Street

Barraba is on on the B95, better known as Fossickers Way, which starts at Tamworth and heads north through Manilla to Barraba. This highway then continues north through Bingara and Warialda (intersecting with the Gwydir Highway/B76, which heads west to Moree, Collarenebri, and Walgett and east to Inverell, Glen Innes, and Grafton) and ends at the Bruxner Highway/B60 junction near Yetman. The Bruxner Highway/B60 heads northwest towards Boggabilla and Goondiwindi (in Queensland), and east towards the Texas (in Queensland) turn-off, Tenterfield, Casino, Lismore, and Ballina.

By car

The Fossickers Way/B95 is sealed along its entire length. Roads to most other places are usually unsealed part or most of the way, although they should be driveable for 2-wheel-drive vehicles under normal driving conditions.

Driver rest areas

From south to north:

• Lions Park

  address: B95, 5 km south of Barraba
  Access for light and heavy vehicles. Toilets. Picnic tables. Playground. Shelter. Litter bins.

• O'Meara Park

  address: corner of Queen and Cooper Streets
  Access for light vehicles. Toilets. Picnic tables. Playground. Shelter.

• Australia Day Park

  address: Queen Street
  Access for light vehicles. Picnic tables. Shelter. Nearest toilets 180 m south in Rotary Park, behind RSL Memorial hall, corner Queen and Savoy Streets.

• Barraba Recreation Ground

  address: B95
  Access for light and heavy vehicles. Toilets. Picnic tables. Shelter. Litter bins.

• Anderson Creek

  address: B95
  Access for light and heavy vehicles. Picnic tables. Shelter. Litter bins.

By coach

A NSW Trainlink coach service runs between Inverell and Tamworth to catch the long-distance trains at Tamworth. This coach stops in Alice Street, near the corner with Queen Street. Southbound coaches depart from here at 8:48AM W-M to Tamworth (Route 312) and northbound coaches depart 5:08PM W-M to Inverell (Route 311).
Bookings are essential - Coach drivers do not take payment or offer reservations.

Bookings

• NSW Trainlink - regular bookings

  phone: +61 13 22 32

• NSW Trainlink - multi-trip and Discovery Pass

  phone: +61 13 22 32

• Tamworth

  phone: +61 13 22 32
  address: Marius Street

• Barraba

  phone: +61 13 22 32
  address: 21 Queen Street
  The coach does not stop here - it stops 700 m north in Alice Street.

• Inverell

  phone: +61 2 6722 3011
  address: 45 Byron Street
  The coach does not stop here - it stops at the Inverell Visitor Information Centre (Transit Centre), 11-31 Campbell Street.

=== By air ===
Barraba is not serviced any scheduled flights, however it has an airstrip 1.6 km to the southwest. Existing effective length 3000 feet. Bearings 20 degrees 30 minutes West of North. ICAO: YBBA. Communications: CTAF: 127.1, MISC: 119.6, MISC: 122.1

• Airstrip administration

  phone: +61 2 6782 1362

The nearest airport with scheduled services is at Tamworth (TMW).

Private transport is essential, as there is neither a taxi service nor a local bus service.
The nearest rental car agencies are in Tamworth, Gunnedah, and Narrabri.

• Mount Kaputar National Park (Barraba Track)See National Parks website for other entry locations and conditions.

• Horton Falls National ParkWaterfall may not be flowing during prolonged dry weather.

• Split Rock DamCamping, barbecues, picnic areas, toilets, fishing, showers, boat ramps, water sports, bushwalking

• Sawn RocksNatural rock formation.

• Waa Gorge

  address: Allambie Road, Berrigal
  Picnic area with carpark, picnic tables, toilets. Waa Gorge walking track unformed, steep, many steps, Grade 5 - for experienced bushwalkers only (2.5 km, 2-3 hrs)

• Myall Creek Massacre Memorial SiteLocation of massacre of local Wirrayaraay people - first time white settlers were punished for murdering Aboriginals, 1838.

• Adams LookoutViews overlooking Barraba and Barraba Station.

• Barraba Silo ArtOn old wheat silos, depicts a water-diviner, look for the Regent Honeyeater.

• Cunningham MemorialAn obelisk marks where the explorer Allan Cunningham crossed the Manilla River in 1827.

• Three Creeks Gold Mine

  phone: +61 2 6783 2224
  Offers bushwalks, crystal fossicking, a bush camp site, barbecue facilities and a gift shop. There is also panning and a small museum of mining-related artefacts.

• Rocky Creek Glacial Area

  address: off Killarney Gap Road
  Ancient glacial area. Toilets. Camping permitted.

• Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area

  address: Terry Hie Hie
  Once a traditional meeting area for the local Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay people, this area features 6 cultural reserves, Yana-y Warruwi walking track (3.5 km loop, hard, 2.5-3.5 hrs), picnic area with car parking, toilets, picnic tables, barbecue facilities, fire rings (bring your own firewood), drinking water (boil first or preferably bring your own). Limited to none mobile phone coverage. Barbecues not permitted during Fire Bans. No pets, no smoking, Walking trail is possbile for handicapped access but still hard.

• Boonalla Aboriginal Area

  address: Kelvin
  Located on traditional Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay land. Walking trails, cycling trails, Boonalla Cave. Picnic ground on Eastern Forest Road (within the park) with car park, picnic tables, toilets, barbecue facilities. Car park and walking trail (1 hour return, moderate fitness, steep incline not recommended when wet) in the park near Boonalla Cave. No pets. No fires in the park. All water must be treated or bring your own.

• Bereen Mountain LookoutViews over Horton River valley.

• Plumthorpe Travelling Stock ReservePicnic area with barbecue on the bank of the Manilla River. Enter through (and close) gate. Birdwatching area. May not be accessible if livestock present.

• Copeton Dam

  address: Copeton
  Camping, childrens playground, picnic areas, toilets, fishing, kiosk, showers, boat ramps, water sports, bushwalking, golf.

• Keepit Dam

  address: Keepit Dam Road, Keepit
  Camping, childrens playground, picnic areas, toilets, fishing, kiosk, showers, boat ramps, water sports, bushwalking, BMX track

• Warrabah National ParkOn the banks of the Namoi River. Carpark, barbecue facilities, picnic tables, toilets.

• Nandewar Historical Society Museum

  phone: +61 2 6782 1212
  address: 71 Queen Street

• Shed of Knowledge

  phone: +61 2 6782 1519
  address: 53 Henry Street
  Memorabilia collection.

• Watch spectator sportsAsk at TRC branch office, Saunders Fruit & Veg, Barraba Bakery, or check the Barraba Gazette about upcoming home games.

• Fishing

  address: Split Rock Dam & Glen Riddle Reserve
  Licences available at Barraba Food & Fuel. Golden Perch, Silver Perch, Black Bream, Jew Fish, Eel-tailed Catfish, Murray Cod.

• BirdwatchingSee Tamworth Birdwatchers website for details. Download a map of birdwatching locations here

• FossickingFossicking reserves at Ironbark Creek and Woodreef Recreation Reserve approx 18 km northwest of Barraba on Woodsreef Road. Petrified wood and fossils found by the road near Mt Lindesay.

Events

• Barraba ShowHeld first weekend in March

• Frost Over BarrabaArts festival last weekend in June.

• Barraba Artisans and Farmers MarketHeld 4th Saturday of the month.

• Upper Horton Rodeo & Campdraft

  phone: +61 2 6724 0066
  address: Upper Horton
  Held New Year's Eve

• Horton Valley Dog Trials

  address: Upper Horton
  Held long weekend in June.

• Westpac Helicopter Bowls Charity Day

  address: Bridge Street
  Lawn bowls competition - held first Sunday in September.

• Barraba RacesHorse racing. Held fourth Sunday in September.

• Barraba Festival & Fuller Gallery Annual ExhibitionHeld second weekend in November.

• Barraba Lions Club Christmas TreeHeld Christmas Eve.

• Bundarra Lions Club Goat Races

  address: Bundarra Showgrounds, corner Bombelli and Oliver Streets
  First weekend in November

Sports

• Barraba Golf Club

  phone: +61 2 6782 1264
  address: Trevallyn Road
  Honesty box as clubhouse is not always open.

• Barraba Memorial Swimming Pool

  phone: +61 2 6782 1038
  Indoor 12.5 m hydrotherapy pool (open during winter), outdoor 33-m 6-lane pool with diving boards, shade covered infants wading pool, waterslide, kiosk offering hot and cold food and beverages, spacious grassed areas, and a barbecue.

• Barraba Bowling Club

  phone: +61 2 6782 1038
  address: corner of Queen and Bridge Streets
  Lawn bowls.

• Barraba Town & District Tennis Club

  address: 26 Queen Street

• Dynamic Muscle & Fitness Centre

  phone: +61 4 2993 6335
  address: 140 Queen Street
  Gym/fitness centre. Casual membership available during opening hours $13.50

Self-catering

• Barraba IGA

  phone: +61 2 6782 1199
  address: 134 Queen Street
  Supermarket, liquor.

• Barraba Food & Fuel

  phone: +61 2 6782 1058
  address: Corner Queen & Rodney Streets
  Fuel, takeaways, milk, bread, BBQ chickens, grocery, lotteries, dry-cleaning, lottery, fishing licences, disabled toilets.

• Barraba Pharmacy & Newsagency

  phone: +61 2 6782 1091
  address: 113-115 Queen Street
  Newspapers, magazines, stationery, souvenirs, prescriptions, medications.

• Saunders Fruit and Vegetable Supplies

  phone: +61 2 6782 1253
  address: 83 Queen Street
  Fresh fruit and vegtables, local honey

• Barraba Beef

  phone: +61 2 6782 1066
  address: 89 Queen Street
  Butcher.

• Barraba Bakery

  phone: +61 2 6782 1024
  address: 81 Queen Street
  Bakery. Pies, sausage rolls, cakes, sandwiches, wraps, salad bowls, cold drinks, tea, coffee, milkshakes. No gluten-free, no organic.

• Barraba Rural Traders

  phone: +61 2 6782 1007
  address: 64-66 Alice Street
  Camping and outdoor supplies. Gas bottles and refills.

Arts and crafts

• Fuller Gallery and Claypan

  address: 74 Queen Street
  Arts and crafts gallery; homemade soups, tea, coffee available F-Su 10AM-4PM.

• Merlene's Fine Fibre Studio

  phone: +61 2 6782 1838
  address: 84 Queen Street
  Knitting, crocheting, weaving, felting, handspun yarns, jumper, hats, some rugs and shawls. Local and exotic fibres - wool, alpaca, cashmere, mohair and llama. Hand dyed from local forest plants and natural dyes. Phone for hours

• Queen Street Cafe and Takeaway

  phone: +61 2 6782 2106
  address: 82a Queen Street
  Cafe food

• Barraba Bowling Club Chinese Restaurant

  phone: +61 2 6782 1402
  address: Bridge Street
  Takeaways or dine-in

• Shelley's Table

  phone: +61 4 8819 2256
  address: 121-123 Queen Street

• Barraba Bakery

  phone: +61 2 6782 1024
  address: 81 Queen Street
  Pies, sausage rolls, cakes, sandwiches, wraps, salad bowls, cold drinks, tea, coffee, milkshakes. No gluten-free, no organic.

• Polkadot Coffee Room

  phone: +61 2 6782 1717
  address: 87 Queen Street
  Tea, coffee, iced coffee, milkshakes, cold drinks. Light meals, sweets, morning and afternoon teas. Gluten-free and lactose-free needs catered for.

• Poppy's Bistro - RSL

  phone: +61 2 6782 2084
  address: 2 Maude Street
  Open W-M for lunch and dinner

• Barraba Cafe

  phone: +61 2 6782 1454
  address: 102 Queen Street
  Fresh salads, wraps, burgers, pizzas, fish & chips. Milkshakes, coffee, cold drinks.

• Commercial Hotel

  phone: +61 2 6782 1023
  address: 136 Queen Street

• The Playhouse Hotel

  phone: +61 2 6782 1109
  address: 121-123 Queen Street

• Commercial Hotel

  phone: +61 2 6782 1023
  address: 136 Queen Street

• Barraba Bowling Club

  phone: +61 2 6782 1325
  address: Bridge Street

• Barraba RSL & Recreational Club

  phone: +61 2 6782 1403
  address: 2 Maude Street

Hotels

• The Playhouse Hotel

  phone: +61 2 6782 1109
  address: 121-123 Queen Street
  Licensed restaurant for guests.

• Commercial Hotel

  phone: +61 2 6782 1023
  address: 136 Queen Street

Motels

• Barraba Motel

  phone: +61 2 6782 1555
  address: 17 Edward Street
  Restaurant for guests open daily 7AM-9PM. Devonshire teas and all-day breakfast available.

Guesthouses

• Andy's Guesthouse

  phone: +61 2 6782 1916
  address: 98 Queen Street
  Guesthouse.

• Oakhampton Homestead

  phone: +61 2 6785 6573
  address: Oakhampton Road, Upper Manilla
  Country retreat and farm stay. Currently not taking bookings.

Caravan parks

• Barraba Caravan Park

  phone: +61 2 6782 1818
  address: 10-22 Bridge Street
  Pets permitted (under control). Dogs must be on a lead at all times. Pets are not permitted in on-site accommodation and barbecue area/camp kitchen under any circumstances

Camp sites

• Lions ParkToilets, barbecue, picnic tables.

• Ironbark CreekBarbecue. Birdwatching area - enter through gate and walk upstream. Fossicking reserve.

• Woodsreef ReserveNo facilities. Fossicking reserve.

• Glen Riddle ReserveToilets, barbecue, picnic tables. Fishing permitted - fishing licence available from Barraba Food & Fuel

• Split Rock DamBoat ramp, toilets, barbecues, picnic tables.

• Little Creek ReservePicnic tables. Toilets.

• Horton Falls National ParkToilets, Picnic Tables

• Mount Kaputar National Park (Barraba Track)Toilets, Picnic Tables.

• Barraba Caravan Park

  phone: +61 2 6782 1818
  address: 10-22 Bridge Street
  See website for rates. Pets permitted (under control). Dogs must be on a lead at all times. Pets are not permitted in on-site accommodation and barbecue area/camp kitchen under any circumstances.

• Telstra Air

  address: corner Queen and Maude Streets
  Free wi-fi, requires Telstra Air app or log-ins.

Emergency

• Police Station

  phone: +61 2 6782 1003
  address: 3 Maude Street

• Barraba Multipurpose Service Hospital

  phone: + 61 2 6782 2500
  address: 24 Edward Street

• Barraba Veterinary Clinic

  phone: +61 2 6782 1316
  address: 219 Mulwarree Road

Fuel & mechanical

• Barraba Food & Fuel

  phone: +61 2 6782 1058
  address: 21 Queen Street

• Inland Petroleum

  phone: +61 2 6782 2046
  address: 69 Queen Street

• Phil Denyer Mechanical Repairs

  phone: +61 2 6782 1107
  address: 73 Queen Street
  Car repair and maintenance

• Barraba Motors

  phone: +61 2 6782 1123
  address: 14 Alice Street
  Mechanic

• North Barraba Diesel

  phone: +61 2 6782 2010
  address: 249 Bingara Road (B95)
  Diesel, oil, auto mechanical services, diesel mechanics, tyres, batteries, wheel alignment, logbook service, engine & gearbox repairs, air conditioning for cars, boats, and tractors.

Public telephones

• address: corner of Queen and Maude Streets

• address: corner of Queen and Rodney Streets

Public toilets

• address: Queen Street
  24 hours. Disabled access.

• address: Queen Street
  24 hours

Banks

• Regional Australia Bank

  address: 125 Queen Street

• National Australia Bank

  address: 129 Queen Street
  No ATM - nearest are across the street at Barraba IGA (24 hours) and the Commercial Hotel

• Westpac Bank Agency - Landmark

  phone: +61 2 6872 1007
  address: 137 Queen Street

• Commonwealth Bank Agency - Australia Post

  phone: +61 2 6782 1208
  address: 120 Queen Street

ATM

• Barraba IGA

  address: 134 Queen Street
  24 hours.

• Commercial Hotel

  address: 136 Queen Street

• Barraba RSL & Recreational Club

  address: 2 Maude Street

• Barraba Food & Fuel

  address: Corner Queen & Rodney Streets

Services

• Australia Post - Licenced Post Office

  phone: +61 2 6782 1208
  address: 120 Queen Street

• Bingara - north of Barraba: 62 km via B95 (42 min)
• Warialda - north of Barraba: 106 km via B95 (1 hr 15 min)
• Bundarra - northeast of Barraba: 66 km via Bingara Road (56 min)
• Tingha - northeast of Barraba: 102 km via Thunderbolts Way (1 hr 24 min)
• Inverell - northeast of Barraba: 136 km via B95 and Gwydir Highway (1 hr 33 min); 153 km via B95 and Copeton Dam Road (1hr 53 min); 114 km via Thunderbolts Way (1 hr 32 min)
• Armidale - east of Barraba: 146 km via Thunderbolts Way and Bundarra Road (1hr 53 min)
• Manilla - south of Barraba: 47 km via B95 (33 min)
• Tamworth - south of Barraba: 92 km via B95 (1hr 9 min)
• Gunnedah - southwest of Barraba: 92 km via Longarm Road and Kelvin Road (1 hr 18 min); 117 km via B95 and Rushes Creek Road (1 hr 25 min)
• Boggabri - southwest of Barraba: 92 km via Longarm Road and Rangari Road (1 hr 19 min)
• Narrabri - west of Barraba: 129 km via Horton Road and Killarney Road (1 hr 39 min)
• Moree - northwest of Barraba: 162 km via B95, Elcombe Road, and Gwydir Highway/B76 (1 hr 51 min); 145 km via Terry Hie Hie Road (1 hr 56 min)