Nelia Gaari Station, Menindee

Station stays are a great way to find hidden gems when travelling. It is also a great way for caravanners and campers to show their support for the people on the land as they work hard to put food on our tables.

Our first taste of a station stay was at the 60,000 acre Nelia Gaari on the Minindee to Wilcannia road on the western side of the Darling River. For us it was our chance to enjoy a stay by the Darling River not generally seen by travellers and in return provide the station with an additional source of income.

To get to the station, we travelled along 60kms of unsealed road form just west of Menindee. The road is wide and fortunately for us, hadn’t long been graded. If planning a visit, allow yourself plenty of time.

The property is easy to spot as it has a large sign near the entrance topped with a Golden Fleece from that well-known former petrol station chain.

You can't miss the sign to Nelia Gaari.

The camping area has 8 sites along the banks the Darling River and owners Lily and Greg have created great facilities for campers including the best drop toilets I’ve seen all located among the trees.

The property is owned by Greg and Lily Martin. Greg is descended from a farming family. Twenty-nine years ago his parents purchased Nelia Gaari. Today, Greg and Lily own and operate the property. The couple opened the first camp sites about four years ago and are part of the Outback Beds group.

The Darling River at dusk.

 The main camp area has been developed jointly with West Darling Fishing Club and has hot showers, toilets, and lighting is available to those with a generator. Tank water is also available. Other smaller areas offer campers absolute river frontage and plenty of peace, privacy and shade.

The campfires have been built using recycled material from the property – old water tanks and old fence posts to create a warming heart at each campsite.

Wal doing his crossword by our campfire.

Each evening Lily drops around to have a chat and check the facilities. They were kind enough to loan us a yabby net to try our luck as the fish had taken a long holiday. Even so, there is plenty to see sitting back in the camp chair watching the river gently flowing along. The birds are busy from dawn to dusk calling to mates, flying about seeking out food or taking a quick drink of water.  Overhead a family of whistling kites kept a keen eye on everything, ever watchful for the chance to catch some food.

The station has a bird watching list which it started in 2010. It lists 69 different birds and is a great guide to identifying birds you may not have seen before.

Things to take with you: plenty of food; yabby nets, fishing rods and bait; insect repellant; bird book and binoculars. Phone reception and internet is intermittent so is the chance to switch off and forget about the rest of the world.

Our camp site at Nelia Gaari.

Costs

Details: Cost: $8 an adult per night and children under 16 years are $5 a night. Discounts are available on extended stays. Stay five nights and get the sixth free. Dogs are permitted but conditions apply. If you have a dog, check with Lily and Greg first.

The overseer’s cottage which sleeps up to 12 people is also available.

 As it is a working station, booking ahead is recommended to check on conditions and availability of sites.

Nelia Gaari station is located on the western Menindee- Wilcannia Road, 80kms from Menindee. Phone: (08) 80 916 496 or mobile: 0428 506 092 or 0410 031 481.

 Email: nelia-gaari@bigpond.com website: www.neliagaari.com.au GPS 32 06 08 S 142 51 04 F.

Sue and Wal visited the station in August 2013.