Photo by Joshua Smith
Day 7 Bellata
Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area
Edgeroi
Pronunciation: Bell–at–a Population: 186
Phone: (02) 6792 7300 National Parks and Wildlife Services Office (NPWS) Allow: 2 Hrs
Pronunciation: Edge–roy
Bellata, located 42km north of Narrabri on the Newell Highway, is a rich agricultural region known for its natural (minerals, such as petrified and opalised wood and agate) and its manmade (pasta) treasures. Situated in the “Golden Durum Triangle” the Bellata area is responsible for the production of some of the best “prime hard” wheat in Australia and is also home to several large olive groves.
The Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area stretches north of the Mt Kaputar National Park and encompasses many important Gamilaroi sites. It has a delightful picnic area with interpretive signs and two looped walking trails, which are great for spotting woodland birds. From Bellata, turn right onto Wilga Street. This road turns into Berrigal Creek Road. Follow this road for 34km and veer left at the Y-intersection with Melburra Road. Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area is a further 14km, just north of the village.
Edgeroi lies just 26km north of Narrabri on the Newell Highway. The old Edgeroi Station woolshed, the remains of which are visible on the right as you drive south from Bellata, was once the largest in the Southern Hemisphere with a 52-stand capacity. Edgeroi Station was one of the largest Soldier Settlement blocks in NSW to be divided up after the Second World War. Edgeroi is an agricultural village and farmers in the area grow wheat, sorghum, dry land summer crops and cotton, and graze cattle and sheep.
Fast fact: At a time when money was in short supply inland, Bellata, originally known as Woolabra, produced its own! The Woolabra one pound note was legal tender throughout NSW. Wheat
20 NARRABRI SHIRE – Visitor Information Guide
Pilliga Pottery