What is Barkala Farm ?
Barkala Farm is an 8000 acre property located in the valleys of the Pilliga Forest and home to Australia's largest and finest Bush Pottery, "Pilliga Pottery".
Surrounded by splendid natural beauty, it is a unique place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the bush. On our property we run a small herd of cattle, some horses, and a few milking goats. We offer Farmstay Accommodation in unique handmade buildings, each with its own character. We also offer Horse Riding, Horse Riding Adventure Camps, and German Language Adventure Camps.
And how about birdwatching ? The Pilliga Forests are world famous for the great diversity of our feathered friends, we have complete bird lists and bird walks waiting for you !
To top it all of you can go on adventure in the greater Barkala farm region, discover the Warrumbungles national park, Mount Kaputar national Park and visit the many other local attractions in Coonabarabran , Narrabri, Dubbo and beyond.
Where do you find Barkala Farm ?
Barkala Farm is located in the vast expanses of the Pilliga some 35km. North of Coonabarabran, in north-western NSW. We are about an hour from the famous Warrumbungle National Park.
You can find us on Google Maps or send us an email !.
The people of Barkala Farm
The Rickert family emigrated from Germany in the 1980's, and fell in love with the mountains and valleys of the Warrumbungle region. They settled on "Barkala", intending to make a living from organic farming, but they had not expected Australian droughts! So, to support their growing family, they revived the trade they had mastered in Germany, and started a pottery from nothing in the middle of the bush. It did not take long before the now famous ' Pilliga Pottery' became their main source of income, and visitors remain fascinated by the sight of the sprawling, colourful, creative mudbrick structures of Pilliga Pottery nestled amongst the gardens and gum trees. Maria, her sons Johannes and Bernhard, daughter Eva and several full time and part time staff are there to welcome visitors every day of the year.
Meet our people.
Horse Riding at Barkala Farm
The romance and freedom of horse riding was one of the big reasons for the move to Australia, and the Rickert children virtually grew up on horseback. Now adults, they take great pleasure in sharing their love of horses with visitors, and run short rides for beginners, longer rides for those with more experience, and two and four-day Adventure Camps for those who really want to feel what it means to experience the bush. Camping under the stars and exploring the ridges, paddocks and valleys of the Pilliga is an experience never to be forgotten. Read on for all the details!
Experience our Horse riding adventures !
Bird Watching at Barkala Farm
Be surrounded and amazed by the beautiful birds of the Western Woodlands, including seven threatened species resident at or near the homestead. At Barkala Farm you can watch and listen to them all day.
The Pilliga is famous as a "last bastion" for great varieties and numbers of birds. Our natural surroundings and extensive native gardens have created the perfect haven for birds to thrive all year round. Day visitors are welcome to wander the gardens, and Farmstay guests can walk around the farm freely, knowing there is no 'Keep Out ' sign for miles around you. You can also book a guided Birdwatching Walk with a local bird expert. Best of all: after your bird watching walk there is always a great cup of tea or a fresh cappuccino waiting for you in the very appropriately named Blue Wren Bush Cafe !
Study more about our Bird Watching specials !
Sleep well at Barkala
Barkala Farm offers some of the most unique accommodation you can dream of. Stay with your whole family in our Old http://www.evrsoft.com/1stpage2.shtml, one of the most unusual and beautiful buildings you will ever see, with a real "fairy tale" atmosphere. Or find a cosy hideout in the Poet's Cottage, a spacious and secluded mud brick cottage that sleeps 6 people in comfort.
We would like to welcome you to a complete get away experience for people of all ages. Our property offers farm tours, horse riding, goat milking, pottery classes, bird watching (our property being a haven for a remarkable number of distinctive birds), bush walking, stargazing, or the chance to purely relax. Surrounded by Nature Reserve and the tranquil Pilliga Forest, this is the perfect spot for you to be inspired or simply unwind. Our property is a great place to get away with the kids. A myriad of outdoor and indoor activities await the whole family, and pets are welcome!
These exciting and inspiring buildings are available to provide for you, your family and friends:
The Old Schoolhouse is truly one of a kind.
It was built in the 1990's as a school for the Rickert's children (plus a few neighbours), who all attended Distance Education. They wanted to make a unique place for them to learn and play, so they based their designs on the principles of Rudolf Steiner. When the kids had grown up so many visitors were fascinated by the Schoolhouse that the family decided to turn it into a guesthouse, and converted the interior into a fabulous holiday chalet. The Schoolhouse remains their most popular and most requested guesthouse.
The Poets Cottage is the ideal place for a quiet and inspiring retreat. This cosy yet spacious mud brick cottage breathes an atmosphere of yesterday. Sleep in with birdsong around you, spend the evening reading by your own woodfire, enjoy a wholesome meal in the lovely country kitchen. Share it with family or friends, sleeps 6 people in comfort !
Hand made from mud brick and timber the Studio was the original pottery gallery. It is perfect for larger families or groups with plenty of space for all.
Our Coonabarabran farmstay getaway accommodations in the bush offer far more than a holiday home. We are pet-friendly and will dog sit your pet while you explore the Warrumbungle National Park. Children are welcomed! Our eco-friendly homes provide your bed and our organic gardens your breakfast. We look forward to seeing you here.
Our cottages are self-catering, or meals are available by arrangement. So come and stay with us and enjoy good times and good food in our Blue Wren Bush Cafe.
Prices start from $110 per couple per night with $20 for additional persons. For all enquiries and bookings, just contact us - we'd be so happy to have you stay!
Explore our unique accomodation !
Improve Your German at our German Language Adventure Camp
Welcome!
Are you learning German? We would like to invite you to our German Language Adventure Camp. Improve your German in a friendly family-based atmosphere with heaps of activities, fun and friends. Our family is originally from Germany and we love to share our culture, traditions and language with students who are interested in the German lifestyle, Australian farm life and the beautiful bush of our adopted country.
Learn more about our German Language specials !
Pilliga Pottery
Pilliga Pottery is one of the best known potteries in Australia, and arguably the most unique. We have combined European-inspired shapes with beautifully individual Australian designs and rich, compelling colours to produce an incredible variety of high quality and completely distinctive pieces of all shapes and sizes. The clay we use is mined locally and processed on the property, and everything is handmade on site. Free demonstrations are always on and visitors are always welcome, so if you are looking for a genuine piece of real 'True Blue Australian Pottery' or just after a fascinating place to visit, this is the place to go !
Learn more about Pilliga Pottery !
Blue Wren Bush Cafe
Be surprised and indulged: Barkala Farm's own cafe/restaurant will surprise you with an outstanding cup of tea, fresh cappuccino, or hot chocolate complemented with scones or lovely cakes. Every now and then or on request the woodfired pizza oven is fired up to spoil you with delicious piping-hot pizzas (bookings essential - call us). Add to that the peaceful surroundings where traffic noise is an unknown event, the fresh forest air, the beautiful gardens, the birds hopping about outside, the wonderful pottery all around you, and you might never want to leave . . .
Visit the Blue Wren Cafe !
