Willandra Men's Quarters
Willandra National Park
Overview
Spend a night or two at historic Willandra Men’s Quarters for a real outback experience in Willandra National Park, at a great rate.
| Accommodation type | Lodge |
|---|---|
| Where | 85 Willandra Entrance Road, Hillston, NSW, 2675 - in Willandra National Park |
| Bedrooms | 6 |
| Maximum guests | 24 |
| Facilities | Barbecue facilities, carpark, showers, toilets, electric power, indoor fireplace, kitchen, plates and cutlery, pots and pans, heating |
| What to bring | Food supplies, drinking water, firewood, bed sheets, pillows, towels |
| Price |
|
| Entry fees | Park entry fees apply |
| Bookings | For bookings, please contact NPWS Griffith park office on (02) 6966 8100. No deposit required. Pay on arrival using a self-registration envelope. |
| Please note |
|
Built in 1965, Willandra Men’s Quarters offers cheap accommodation with some basic comforts, plus a free insight into the outback lifestyle of early pastoral settlers. The quarters’ facilities are well suited for groups.
Located near Willandra Homestead, you’ll find plenty to see and do. Discover historic sites around the Homestead, stroll along the easy Nilla Yannagalang Billana track dotted with signs of the area’s rich pastoral history, and bring your binoculars for bird watching at Willandra Creek.
After exploring the many nearby attractions, head back to your accommodation for a warm shower, hot meal and a good night’s rest. You’ll wake up to the sound of birds in the surrounding black box trees, refreshed and ready to enjoy another adventure in Willandra National Park.
Map
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Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/willandra-mens-quarters/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Griffith office
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Closed 1pm to 2pm.
- 02 6966 8100
- npws.riverina@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 200 Yambil Street, Griffith NSW 2680
Park info
- in Willandra National Park in the Murray-Riverina region
Willandra National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. The park uses a self-registration fee collection system. Please bring correct change.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Willandra Men's Quarters.
Getting there and parking
Willandra Men’s Quarters is in the Willandra Homestead precinct. To get there:
From Hillston:
- Drive 53km west along Mossgiel Trunk Road (unsealed and impassable after rain).
- Turn north on to Trida Road and drive another 20km until you see the park entrance signposted on the right (east).
- Drive another 10km east along Willandra Creek trail
- Follow the signposts to Willandra Men’s Quarters
From Cobb Highway:
- Turn east at Mossgiel and drive 61km east
- Turn north on to Trida Road and drive another 20km until you see the park entrance signposted on the right (east).
- Drive another 10km east along Willandra Creek trail
- Follow the signposts to Willandra Men’s Quarters
Road quality
Please check the weather and the Carrathool Shire website for road conditions before your visit
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available at Willandra Men’s Quarters.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Willandra National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Like spring, this season is also a time of mild weather.
Spring
Spring brings mild weather and fantastic birdwatching opportunities, as well as being the best time for wildflower displays. Drive, cycle or walk the scenic Merton trail or follow the Nilla Yannagalang Billana walking trail to make the most of what's on offer at this time of year.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
17°C and 32°C
Highest recorded
46°C
Winter temperature
Average
7°C and 16°C
Lowest recorded
-4.4°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
October
Driest month
February
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
119.6mm
Facilities
- Bedding configuration: 6 rooms with 2 bunks per room
- Please leave the cottage in a clean and tidy manner and take your garbage with you.
- The Men's Quarters use bore water.
Toilets
- Flush toilets
Barbecue facilities
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Carpark
Showers
- Hot showers
Electric power
Indoor fireplace
Kitchen
2 gas stoves, oven, microwave, toaster, kettle, dining table.
Plates and cutlery
Pots and pans
Heating
Electric heater in the dining room.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. For more information, please see the OEH policy.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Willandra Men's Quarters is in Willandra National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A closer look at Aboriginal culture
Evidence of Aboriginal people's lives on this land can best be seen on the scalds near Halls Lake, near the Merton trail, where erosion has exposed a number of objects. Take a look at (but please don't touch) the remains of oven hearths, broken pieces of grinding dishes and stone flakes. Nilla Yannagalang Billana, the only formal walking track in the park, means 'walking along together' in Wiradjuri.
- Merton motor trail Whether you’re driving or cycling, the Merton motor trail at Willandra National Park is the perfect way to experience the park’s various wildlife habitats and historic past.
Plain to see
Windmill, cane, spear and white top - the names of Australian native grasses really have evolved to become far more fun than their original Latin terms. These grasses now make up most of the ground cover on the park's plains. Saltbush and cottonbush dominated - and still does - but Europeans quickly recognised the nutritional value of these plants and a century of grazing has changed the environment. A hike through the wetlands, woodlands and grasslands of the park, rich with birds and animals, is a reminder of how nature continues to adapt.
- Nilla Yannagalang Billana The Nilla Yannagalang Billana is an easy walking track that follows Willandra Creek and passes sites of great historical and cultural significance.
The ringer looks around
Big Willandra Station once stretched from Hillston to Mossgiel and covered an area eight times that of what is now Willandra National Park. Some buildings from the huge merino stud are in ruins, while others have been restored. In its time, Big Willandra saw it all: illegal squatting, leasehold, freehold, homesteading, the establishment of the Western Lands Commission, resumptions and soldier settler occupation. Today, you can enjoy cheap heritage accommodation, ideal for a weekend family or group getaway.
- Merton motor trail Whether you’re driving or cycling, the Merton motor trail at Willandra National Park is the perfect way to experience the park’s various wildlife habitats and historic past.
- Nilla Yannagalang Billana The Nilla Yannagalang Billana is an easy walking track that follows Willandra Creek and passes sites of great historical and cultural significance.
- Willandra Homestead Visit Willandra Homestead, the lovingly restored pastoral station of Big Willandra. Step back in time, enjoy a barbecue and watch waterbirds on Willandra Creek.
- Willandra shearing precinct Explore the rustic and distinctive woolshed and shearers’ quarters of the Willandra Shearing precinct to experience the fascinating working history of Big Willandra.
What bird is that?
Could there really be 195 species of birdlife within an area of less than 20,000ha? The diversity of Willandra's natural environment — from woodland and wetland to grassland and open plain — provides a variety of habitats. The result is an eclectic mix that includes emu, swan, seagull, night heron, raptor and duck. Set yourself the challenge to see how many different birds you can spot during your visit.
- Nilla Yannagalang Billana The Nilla Yannagalang Billana is an easy walking track that follows Willandra Creek and passes sites of great historical and cultural significance.