Must see- Yanga National Park, Homestead and Shearing Shed!About 5 mins drive to the Shearing Shed and about another 7 mins to the Homestead - from Balranald
We loved our visit to Yanga National Park. We were totally impressed that the Homestead and Shearing Shed had been so recently purchased and declared as a National Park. The information boards were fantastic and provided a great insight into the history of shearing, aboriginal culture and the environmental assets in the Riverina. Parks Victoria could learn alot about their interstate counterparts - NSW National Parks are the best of any I have seen, with so many facilities and great tours, info boards, etc. Well done Parks.
Yanga station is in 2 parts the closest to town is the shearing sheds. You then have to come back onto the highway and go about 5km to the old homestead. Both places are well worth a look at.
probably the newest national park in the land. the woolshed and homestead are two separate parts of the one property and offer an insight into life on the land from 1870 or so until 2005.you can wander the grounds or tour the homestead with a ranger or use a local operator and tour the roads around the property,but well worth the effort.The woolshed is huge--40 shearers and tens of thousands of sheep,with videos and information boards.Very interesting indeed
In May 2014 while staying at the Balranald Caravan Park (see separate review) we heard about this station and the shed along with the homestead.So, we packed up and took of to explore both. Me, more so than wife, having a very keen interest in old shearing sheds, was fascinated with the condition of the shed from the floor up and all the pens in between, the smell of the lanoline, the feel of small pieces of fleece left behind.The information that was available, detailing the working history of 40 shearers, 20 each side of the shed, in the early days to 20 odd for the last shearing was excellent. It was interesting to see where the bales of wool, in the days of the river boats, were moved through double doors, at the rear of the shed, down a ramp onto the waiting boat to take the bales to auction.It was also very interesting to check out the outbuilding such as the shearers quarters, bathrooms, kitchen and meal areas, milking shed and the like.We also called at the homestead, unfortunately it was too late in the day for a visit.We both recommend a visit to anyone passing through or stopping at nearby Balranald.
Travelled there with my family and they all just loved it. Great nature. Friendly rangers and great setup like picnic tables and toilets. Park is amazing with the animals. We will be back soon.
We discovered this historic homestead in Yanga NP. For a gold coin donation my husband and I wondered around the vast grounds beside the Yanga Lake. Yanga had been one of the largest sheep stations in its heyday. Well worth a look. There is plenty of information on the property.
Good sites for camper trailers or tents. Fires allowed and plenty of wood on site. Pit toilets. No water available.Also consider the nearby caravan park in Balranald - we discovered it afterwards and it had grassy banks down to the river - very nice.
We went with Family to visit Yanga Homestead and take the Ranger guided Tour, which is on every morning at 10.30am when possible, the Ranger was so knowledgeable about Yanga History and the Heritage Roses in front of the Homestead are so lovely and the scent is intoxicating. We spent Hours there, the Exhibition in the Cook's Cottage is a must do, the walk along the Lake edge to the Bird Hide is great and the Lookout with Telescope meant we were able to see around the Lake and the Wildlife on and around the Lake.Next we will be having a visit to Regatta Beach and the old Woodshed.
Located over several separate parks, one of the main focuses is on the original Yanga homestead and shearing sheds. Well preserved in both locations, it gives you a look into the past that gives you an understanding of the Australian term of "living on the sheeps back" You can imagine the shearing shed abuze with activity and then the tranquility back at the old homestead. The homestead over looks over a beautiful lake that offers swimming, fishing, boating and water skiing. There are also several picnic and camping areas in the different areas of the park. A great place to spend a few days.