A Guide to Barellan
If you blink while driving through Barellan, you might miss it.
And that would be a mistake.
Because this quiet Riverina wheat town, population roughly 280, has a habit of doing things far bigger than you’d expect. Bigger than the map suggests. Bigger than the main street implies. And once a year, very much bigger than itself.
Welcome to Barellan: proof that small doesn’t mean sleepy.
Where Is Barellan, And How Do You Get There?
Barellan sits in the heart of the Riverina within Narrandera Shire. It’s located:
Around 45 minutes north-west of Narrandera
About 1 hour from Griffith
Just under 2 hours from Wagga Wagga
Approximately 5–6 hours by road from Sydney or Melbourne
Most visitors arrive by car, and the drive itself is part of the experience. Long stretches of farmland, grain silos rising on the horizon and that unmistakable sense of space the region is known for.
Barellan pairs easily with Narrandera, Griffith, Leeton and Lockhart, making it an ideal addition to a broader Riverina road trip.
Things To Do In Barellan
The Good Old Days Festival
For most of the year, Barellan is a quiet Riverina wheat town. Until October rolls around, and suddenly 280 locals are hosting nearly 10,000 people for one of the most unexpectedly epic rural festivals in Australia.
The Barellan Good Old Days Festival isn’t nostalgia cosplay. It’s the real thing. Vintage machinery in motion. Bullock and camel teams on the track. Sheaf tossing. Blade shearing. Cow milking. Butter churning. Wood-fired scones still warm from the oven.
Stay the weekend and lean into it properly. Camp under the stars and pull up the caravan at the showgrounds or upgrade to bush glamping (because yes, a double foam mattress absolutely beats the swag). Wake to a country BBQ breakfast and bush poetry. Grab a locally brewed Barellan beer (made with regional barley), settle in for two days of live music, market stalls, whip cracking, fresh scones from the camp oven and a two-course dinner under open skies.
There’s a bar on site, courtesy buses from town and space for mobility scooters, which means everyone’s welcome.
A must-see event, it’s a standout on the Riverina events calendar.
Makers Markets & The Annual Show
August is Barellan’s social season.
The Barellan Country Makers Markets (held 8 August this year) bring together local producers, handmade goods and regional creativity in a relaxed setting.
There’s also the Barellan Show, a classic country show celebrating agriculture, livestock and community competition. While the 2026 date is yet to be formally confirmed, it remains a much-loved fixture on the local calendar.
Pair either with a winter road trip through the Riverina and you’ll discover a town that thrives on connection and creativity.
Art in Unexpected Places
On the wall of Barellan Central School, you’ll find a striking pink cockatoo mural popping out against the wheatbelt landscape; bold, graphic and unmissable.
And then there’s the big one. Standing proudly in Evonne Goolagong Park is Barellan’s Big Tennis Racquet.
A 13.8-metre replica of the wooden Dunlop racquet once used by tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
Built by local hands, the oversized racquet is an exact 20:1 scale model and a proud tribute to the Wiradjuri champion who grew up in the Riverina before rising to international fame.
Summer days by the pool
On a hot afternoon, the Barellan Memorial Swimming Pool is exactly where you want to be.
Open October through to March, cool down in the 25 metre pool and stretch out under shady gum trees, and enjoy a BBQ lunch with the free facilities.
A Quiet Birdwatching Gem
For those in the know, Barellan is quietly building a reputation among birdwatchers.
The surrounding open plain landscape, scattered woodland and agricultural edges create ideal conditions for spotting native species.
Where to Eat In Barellan
A brunch spot worth the detail, the Golden Grain Café is open seven days a week, a rarity and a gift for road trippers. It’s the kind of place where the coffee’s strong, the portions are generous and no one rushes you out the door.
For something heartier, The Commercial Hotel Barellan is also open daily. Pub classics with plenty of cold drinks on tap, the Farmers’ Feast is a highlight on the menu, featuring a lamb cutlet, sausage, 250g steak, egg, fried tomato, and balsamic mushrooms all piled onto one plate.
Where TO Stay In Barellan
Sleep under the stars (or next to the pub), and set up camp at the Barellan Showgrounds. Ideal if you’re timing your visit around the Good Old Days Festival.
The Commercial Hotel offers a classic pub stay and if you’re after something a little bit off the beaten track, check out McRae Cottage and explore the other favourite farm stays in the Riverina.