Narrandera, Barellan, Grong Grong and Surrounds

Water towers, wildlife and country town charm.

You’ll be drawn to Narrandera and the surrounding towns for its closeness to the mighty Murrumbidgee and its abundance of family-friendly fun. If seeing a koala in the wild, visiting the hometown of an Australian tennis legend or racing your mates on incredible waterslides sounds like a good time, you’ll want to allow a day or two to explore.

First up, a visit to the Narrandera Destination and Discovery Hub. Here you’ll find travel advice from friendly locals and maps, along with immersive experiences and Narrandera’s Big Guitar – a supersized, yet playable instrument (you’ll probably need two hands to play this behemoth). Make sure to grab a selfie so everyone back home will believe you!

Visit the Narrandera Tourism website >

Narrandera

If you’re travelling the Sturt or Newell highways, you’ll find they meet at Narrandera. A popular rest stop for travellers set beside the Murrumbidgee, the town blends elegance, environment and history. Take a stroll along the main street and enjoy boutique shops, cafes and your morning coffee served with a healthy dose of country charm.

Spot Koalas in the Wild!

There’s nothing quite like spotting koalas in the wild. Narrandera Flora and Fauna Reserve is part of the greater Murrumbidgee Valley Regional Park. Around 200 koalas call the reserve home, so you won’t have to look too hard to see them snoozing in the forked branches of a gum or munching away on some juicy leaves.

Make a Splash!

Adventure-seeking types will love Lake Talbot Water Park. Enjoy the thrill of one of the three water slides, including a dual racer to get the adrenaline pumping, followed by a leisurely dip in the pools and a frolic in the Splash Park.

Head to the Water

The mighty Murrumbidgee River is at the heart of our region. It’s a water supply for crops, a place for recreation, a habitat for wildlife and historically it was a means of transport. If the water levels are low, you might even spot the wreck of the PS Wagga Wagga which met its muddy end more than a hundred years ago.

Along the beautiful Bundindgerry Creek, you’ll find Rocky Waterholes – an idyllic spot to free camp, fish or launch a canoe. It’s also a significant site for the Wiradjuri people. The Narrungdera clan has a deep connection to the river and its surrounds.

Love to feel the whip of the wind as you move across the water? Lake Talbot is popular for water-skiing. You can enjoy it with your feet on dry land, too, as the incredible Narrandera Skywalk extends out over the lake with a fully accessible walkway and uninterrupted views of the water and surrounding bushland.

You’ll find much to see, do and learn at the Narrandera Fisheries Centre. It’s a research facility, a hatchery for replenishing fish populations and a great spot for you to learn more about local species, including Agro the mighty Murray cod.

Art and Culture on a Grand Scale

You’ll discover the art out here is water tower-sized and our history is filled with unique stories and bucketloads of charm. The Narrandera Water Tower mural includes colours inspired by the local environment – particularly the sunsets – and a mix of local landmarks and animals.

Go back in time at the Parkside Cottage Museum and see rare and interesting artefacts with stories from Australia’s early Merino wool production through to Scott’s Antarctica Expedition. Stop in at Sandhills Artefacts to learn more about the traditional art and culture of the Wiradjuri people from local elder Michael Lyons.

Get to know more about Narrandera, its heritage and its people on the self-guided Narrandera Town Heritage Walk. It covers 50 sites and buildings including the Tiger Moth Memorial. Whilst you’re exploring, see the Hankinson Fountain, crafted by Royal Doulton and one of only two in existence. It was presented to the people of Narrandera by Alderman RG and Mrs Hankinson in 1922 to honour those who served in the Great War of 1914-1918.

Grong Grong

Located on the Newell Highway around 20 minutes east of Narrandera, Grong Grong is the perfect place to stretch your legs. Once you’re in town, head straight for the free bike hire and explore. The community-owned Grong Grong Pub makes a delicious pub meal and is the ultimate example of country towns working together to keep local businesses and communities thriving.

Take our word for it, the whole family will love the natural playscape Grong Grong Earth Park. Here you’ll find good old-fashioned fun with a mud pie station, balance logs and a giant sandpit.

About 20 kilometres south-east of Grong Grong, Berembed Weir is a peaceful fishing spot for shore-based anglers, eager to wet a line in the Murrumbidgee River. Oh, and stick around if you like, there’s free camping in town at Grong Grong Park.

Barellan

As you drive towards Barellan, you’ll love the sprawling views of fields and farms and the characteristic silos that dot the landscape. When you get into town, there’s one big attraction sure to capture your attention. The Big Tennis Racquet is easy to spot. It’s a tribute to tennis great Evonne Goolagong-Cawley who grew up and learned to play tennis here (you can even see the wall she used for practice).

You’ll also find an impressive Clydesdale sculpture that honours the town’s connection to working horses and pioneer heritage while the Barellan Museum preserves local stories of the surrounding district.

Whether you want a quick dip to cool down or time and space to swim some laps, you’ll find it at the Barellan Swimming Pool. Open over the summer months, the outdoor pool features a 25-metre pool and a toddler pool with a covered area.

Stay the night at Barellan Showground. It’s the perfect place to pitch a tent and offers plenty of space to park your caravan or RV with powered and unpowered sites.

Binya

Around an hour’s drive north of Narrandera and 20 minutes west of Barellan, you’ll find the township of Binya. It’s a friendly farming community with a population of just over 200. Drop into the local post office and grab a copy of the Binya Cookbook, or plan a visit in November for the annual arts and crafts festival.

Discover Narrandera's Gems

Time your visit with these events!

Don’t miss our region’s unique festivals, markets and shows

Be sure to check the Narrandera Tourism website for the latest event updates when you visit as dates can change and new events are often popping up along the Murrumbidgee Trails.

Narrandera Rod Run

You don’t need to be a rev-head to enjoy this event, the Narrandera Rod Run is family-friendly and welcoming to all horsepower-lovers.

Held over the Easter long weekend, you can watch beautiful, restored hot rods cruise the main street on Saturday night or come along to the
Show n’ Shine on Sunday for a closer look.

Barellan Clydesdale and Heavy Horses ‘Good Old Days’ Festival

The traditional ways of living and working on the land come to life on the October long weekend. Marvel at the sight of two dozen Clydesdales in harness pulling a wagon, try your hand at early farming skills and take in the vintage farm machinery displays.

Koala Festival

Get to know Australia’s cutest koalas at Narrandera’s annual Koala Festival - a weekend celebrating our thriving koala colony and the beautiful bush they call home. It’s two days packed with bush adventures, live music, family-friendly activities, and the chance to play a hands-on role in protecting our furry locals for generations to come.