Pilliga Pottery and Barkala Farmstay

Barkala Farm is an organic and sustainable farm in the Pilliga Forest. It is home to eco-friendly accommodation as well as unique earthenware business Pilliga Pottery. Guests can visit for a day or stay multiple nights, with the farm offering plenty to see and do. Visitors can bush walk, explore the pottery studio, browse the pottery shop, wander the gardens in search of hidden artwork, stargaze, swim in the large pool, pat the farm animals and watch the pottery being made, artists at work and cows being milked. Children’s pony rides, sculpture workshops, wheel throwing lessons, pottery classes and guided bush walking/bird watching tours can also be organised.

The farm’s Blue Wren Cafe sells breakfast, lunch and dinner, specialising in wood-fired pizzas. All food is made on site from fresh ingredients, including organic produce from the Barkala Farm garden.

The farm has five completely different and unique guesthouses including the Old Schoolhouse, Poet’s Cottage, the Studio, the Farmhouse and Eagle Valley. Guests can also camp in a tent or caravan. Many of the buildings and much of their furniture and fittings were hand-crafted from local and natural materials.

The Old Schoolhouse is an enchanting, octagonal “fairy tale castle”. It has a kitchenette with a mini fridge, gas stove/grill, bathroom, a large Swiss-style balcony, in-ground swimming pool, gas heater, loft bedroom upstairs with a double bed, two double bunks downstairs, and an outdoor barbecue area with another fridge and sink. It sleeps up to eight.

The Poets Cottage is secluded and peaceful, nestled between the orchard and lightly wooded goat run. It has a private driveway and parking, fully equipped kitchen, spacious dining area, two verandahs, TV/DVD, wood heater, outdoor fireplace and an open plan layout. It sleeps up to six people with one queen bed, three single beds and one small single bed.

The Studio has three unique bedrooms that can accommodate up to 15 people. It also has a large open-plan area with kitchen, dining and recreation area, bathroom and verandah. There is a ping-pong table in the recreation area as well as a lounge area with television, games and books. For winter there is a wood-heater (wood supplied).

The Farmhouse is a European-style building with four rooms, each opening onto a large wooden verandah that overlooks the surrounding horse paddocks and hills. Each room is rented separately and has a television, fans, heater and hand-built bedding/furniture made from local timber. The Farmhouse has tea/coffee facilities and a large fridge on the verandah, but no kitchen. It also has two toilets and a shared bathroom on the open verandah.

The Eagle Valley Cottage has three spacious bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen and dining area with a lounge, wood-heater (wood supplied). It is set in a private location close about 2.5 kilometres from the pottery studio and cafe. Guests may need a car that can manoeuvre rough road.

Barkala Farm is a wonderful spot to find inspiration, unwind or spend quality time with family. Pets are also welcome.

Barkala Farm and Pilliga Pottery is south of Narrabri on the Newell Highway, approximately 28 kilometres north of Coonabarabran.