Bingara

Bingara is a village (population 1,428 in 2016) in the New England region, in New South Wales, Australia.

Understand

The European explorer Allan Cunningham crossed the Gwydir River near Bingara in 1827. The first farms were established in the 1830s, and the discovery of gold in 1852 brought prospectors to the area. In the 1880s copper and diamonds were discovered. Bingara is the main centre of the Gwydir Shire Local Government Area.

Visitor information centre

Bingara Tourist Information Centre, 74 Maitland Street (Roxy Cinema complex), -29.869038°, 150.571869°, +61 2 6724 0066, bingaratourism@gwydir.nsw.gov.au. M-F 9AM-4:30PM, Sa Su 9AM-1PM. Tourist and visitor information. Ask about the Roxy Greek Museum tour and the Roxy Theatre tour - fees apply

Get in

By car

Bingara is on the Fossickers Way/B95, 63 km north of Barraba and 42 km south of Warialda and the junction with the Gwydir Highway/B76. The intersection to western branch of the Gwydir Highway (to Moree) is on the left before you enter Warialda, the eastern branch of the Gwydir Highway (to Inverell is on the eastern side of Warialda. Continue north on the B95 through Warialda to reach Yetman, and turn left at Yetman onto the Bruxner Highway to reach Boggabilla and Goondiwindi (in Queensland).

Bingara is 151 km north of Tamworth on the Fossickers Way/B95, via Manilla and Barraba.

Bingara is 152 km north-west of Armidale via Bundarra Road - turn right onto Thunderbolts Way, Bundarra, turn left onto Oliver Street/Barraba Road, turn right onto Bingara Road, turn left onto Copeton Dam Road, turn left onto East Street (Fossickers Way/B95).

Bingara is 108 km north-east of Narrabri via the Newell Highway/A39 - turn right onto Killarney Gap Road, past the turn off to the Sawn Rocks on the right, continue ahead on Narrabri Road. There are a few sharp twists, turns, and hair-pin bends between Sawn Rocks and Rocky Creek - big/long vehicles need to be mindful travelling this section.

Driver rest areas (from south to north)

Anderson Creek, -30.110762°, 150.598016°. Access for light and heavy vehicles. Picnic tables. Shelter. Litter bins. No toilets. 2019-09-08
Cunningham Park, Bingara, -29.864069°, 150.575870°. Light vehicle access. Toilets. Picnic tables. Barbecue facilities. Wheelchair accessible. Playground. Shelter. Litterbins.
Bingara Bicentennial Park, -29.860606°, 150.5738707°. Light vehicle and heavy vehicle access. Picnic tables. Shelter. Litterbins. No toilets.
Ti Tree Creek, -29.61379°, 150.5437°. Light vehicle access. Picnic tables. Wheelchair accessible. Shelter. Litterbins. No toilets.

By coach

A | NSW Trainlink (dead link: January 2023) coach service runs between Inverell and Tamworth to catch the long-distance trains at Tamworth. Coaches to Tamworth stop in front of the old court house, and coaches to Inverell stop at the bus stop opposite the old court house.

Southbound coaches (Route 312) depart Inverell W-M at 6:30AM, departs Bingara at 7:58AM, and arrives at Tamworth at 10:06AM. Northbound coaches (Route 311) depart Tamworth W-M at 3:55PM, departs Bingara at 5:53PM, and arrives at Inverell at 7:15PM.

A map and timetable can be downloaded here (dead link: January 2023).

Bookings are essential - Coach drivers do not take payment or offer reservations.

Bookings

NSW Trainlink - regular bookings, +61 13 22 32. Daily 7AM-10PM.
NSW Trainlink - multi-trip and Discovery Pass, +61 13 22 32. Daily 7AM-10PM.
Tamworth (Railway Station), Marius Street, +61 13 22 32. Daily 8:30AM-4:30 PM.
Bingara Newsagency, 60 Maitland Street, -29.868344°, 150.571620°, +61 2 6724 1500. M-F 8:30AM-3:30 PM. The coach does not stop here - it stops 160 m north near the old court house, corner of Maitland Street and Finch Street.
Inverell (Windsong Travel), 45 Byron Street (between Subway and Imperial Hotel), +61 2 6722 3011. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-noon. The coach does not stop here - it stops at the Inverell Visitor Information Centre (Transit Centre), 11-31 Campbell Street.

By plane

Bingara isn't serviced by any scheduled air services.

The nearest airports with scheduled services are at Inverell (through Fly Corporate), Narrabri (through via Link Airways), Armidale, and Tamworth.

Get around

Private transport is essential, as there is neither a taxi service nor a local bus service.

The nearest car rental agencies are in Inverell, Narrabri, Armidale, and Tamworth.

See

In and near town

Bingara Gem and Mineral Museum, 16 Maitland Street, -29.865865°, 150.57076°, +61 2 6724 0000, bingaramuseum@gmail.com. Tu W 9AM-1PM, Sa 9AM-noon, other times by appointment (contact by email). phone for fees
Bingara Museum, 16 Maitland Street, -29.865865°, 150.57076°, +61 2 6724 0000, bingaramuseum@gmail.com. Tu W 9AM-1PM, Sa 9AM-noon, other times by appointment (contact by email). Phone for fees. Listen to the Bingara Soundtrail here (also available as an app).
H F Batterham Memorial Lookout (Apex Lookout), Apex Lookout Road (3.5 km east of Bingara via Copeton Dam Road, turn right onto Apex Lookout Road), -29.870985°, 150.590599°. Apex Road is steep and not suitable for caravans and long vehicles. Picnic facilities. Barbecue facilities. No toilets.
Roxy Cinema complex, 74 Maitland Street, -29.869038°, 150.571869°, +61 2 6724 0066, bingaratourism@gwydir.nsw.gov.au. M-F 10:30AM and 2:30PM, Sa Su 10:30AM. Cinema and cafe built 1936 by three Greek businessmen. The cinema was closed in 1958 and remained unoccupied, the cafe became a Chinese restaurant. Both were bought by the local council and restored in the 1990s. The building now houses the tourist information centre, a museum to Greek history in New South Wales, and a live performance centre (residence of the North West Theatre Company). Phone for prices the Roxy Greek Museum tour and the Roxy Cinema tour

Out of Bingara

East

Copeton Dam, Copeton Dam Road (59 km east of Bingara via Copeton Dam Road (53 min)), -29.904921°, 150.923896°, +61 2 6723 6269. Daily 9AM-5PM. Camping. Children's playground. Picnic areas. Toilets. Fishing. Kiosk. Shower facilities. Boat ramps. Water sports. Bushwalking. Golf. No flying of drones. Reflections Copeton Waters Holiday Park.

South

Three Creeks Gold Mine, -30.046548°, 150.637703°, +61 2 6783 2224, threecreeksgoldmine@skymesh.com.au. M-F 9AM-5PM. Offers bushwalks, crystal fossicking, a bush camp site, barbecue facilities and a gift shop. There is also panning and a small museum of mining-related artefacts. Cash only 2019-09-01

West

Rocky Creek Glacial Area, off Killarney Gap Road (37 km south-west of Bingara via Cunningham Street/Narrabri Road, Killarney Gap Road, turn-off on the right onto dirt track), -30.034711°, 150.316998°. Ancient glacial area. Toilets. Camping permitted.
Sawn Rocks (Mount Kaputar National Park), -30.145052°, 150.053434°. Natural rock formation.
Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area (Terry Hie Hie Community Conservation Area Zone 2 - Aboriginal Culture), Terry Hie Hie (80 km west of Bingara via Killarney Gap Road and Terry Hie Hie Road), -29.786931°, 150.145351°. Once a traditional meeting area for the local Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay/Gamilaroi people, this area features 6 cultural reserves, Yana-y Warruwi walking track (3.5-km loop, hard, 2½-3½ hr), picnic area with car parking, toilets, picnic tables, barbecue facilities, fire rings (bring your own firewood), drinking water (boil first or preferably bring your own). Limited to none mobile phone coverage. Barbecues not permitted during Fire Bans. No pets, no smoking, Walking trail is possbile for handicapped access but still hard.
Upper Horton, -30.141691°, 150.4431262°. A picturesque hamlet (population 168 in 2016). Picnics. Fishing. Sports Club. Annual Rodeo and National Campdrafting Championships on New Years Eve.

North

Ceramic Break Sculpture Park, -29.64172°, 150.54209°, +61 2 6729 4147, kerry@cbreaksculpturepark.com.au. Th-Su 10AM-5PM March to mid-December. Other times by appointment. Park may be closed if too wet. $5 adults, $1 under 15
Myall Creek Massacre Memorial Site, -29.781342°, 150.712709°. Location of massacre of local Wirrayaraay people - the first time white settlers were punished for murdering Aboriginals, 1838. Listen to the Myall Creek Soundtrail here (also available as an app).

Do

Birdwatching
Bushwalking
Motocross
Horseriding
Four-wheel-drive trails

Contact the Bingara Tourist Information centre (see Understand) for further information.

Events

Bingara Orange Festival. Held in July. May be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions
Myall Creek Memorial Day. Long weekend in June. May be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions

Sports

Bingara Sporting Club, 8 Bombelli Street (corner of Bombelli Street and Keera Street), -29.866411°, 150.563247°, +61 2 6724 1206, binsport@bigpond.net.au. M-F 4PM-midnight, Sa Su 10AM-midnight. Golf. Lawn bowls. Tennis. Restaurant serving Chinese and Australian meals. Social members $5 per day, visitors $15 per day
Bingara War Memorial Baths (Swimming pool), -29.863826°, 150.577002°, +61 2 02 6724 1936. 11AM-6PM. 25 m pool. Splash pool. Air-conditioned activities room. Full kiosk. Disabled toilet. Disabled parking. Phone for fees and season dates

Buy

Self-catering

Bingara IGA Plus Liquor (Fay's), 41-45 Maitland Street (diagonally opposite Roxy Cinema complex), -29.869202°, 150.572035°, +61 2 6724 1303. M-F 8AM-6PM, Sa Su 8AM-4PM. Supermarket, liquor.
Keera Street Shop, 48 Keera Street (opposite the Bingara Sporting Club), -29.866882°, 150.562858°, +61 2 6724 1119. W-M 8AM-8PM. Convenience store. Takeaways.
Bingara Pharmacy, 41-45 Maitland Street (diagonally opposite Roxy Cinema complex), -29.868008°, 150.571485°, +61 2 6724 1400. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-noon. Chemists
Bingara Bakehouse, 84 Maitland Street (next to Roxy Cinema complex), -29.869276°, 150.571946°, +61 2 6724 1901. M-Th 6AM-5:30PM, F 9AM-5PM, Sa 6AM-12:30PM. Bakery
Meat on Maitland, 56 Maitland Street (between Bingara Newsagency and the Regent Cafe), -29.868311°, 150.571522°, +61 2 6724 1618. M-F 7AM-6PM, Sa 7AM-1PM. Butchers
Bingara Newsagency (Newspower), 60 Maitland Street, -29.868344°, 150.571620°, +61 2 6724 1500. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 7:30AM-noon, Su 7:30AM-11AM. Newsagency. Bookings for the Trainlink coach - see booking hours in Get in/By coach

Eat

Peters Cafe (Roxy Cafe), 76 Maitland Street (corner Maitland Street and Cunningham Street), -29.869038°, 150.571869°, +61 2 6724 0060. Tu W 10AM-2PM, Th-Mon 9AM-4PM. Cafe fare 2019-09-01
Keera Street Shop, 48 Keera Street (opposite the Bingara Sporting Club), -29.866882°, 150.562858°, +61 2 6724 1119. W-M 8AM-8PM. Takeaways.
Bingara Bakehouse, 84 Maitland Street (next to Roxy Cinema complex), -29.869276°, 150.571946°, +61 2 6724 1901. M-Th 6AM-5:30PM, F 9AM-5PM, Sa 6AM-12:30PM. Bakery fare
Gwydir Lily (RSL), 46 Finch Street (corner Finch Street and Memorial Avenue), -29.867089°, 150.569884°, +61 2 6724 1404, bingrsl@bigpond.net.au. Lunch: daily 11:30AM-2PM, dinner: Tu-Su 4:30PM-9PM bookings essential. Malaysian, Chinese, and Australian fare. Download the menu here.
Chinese Restaurant (Bingara Sporting Club), 46 Finch Street (corner Finch Street and Memorial Avenue), -29.867089°, 150.569884°, +61 2 6724 1226. Lunch: W-Su 11:30AM-2PM, dinner: 6:30-8PM. Chinese and Australian fare
The Imperial Hotel Motel, 21 Maitland Street (next to the Post Office), -29.86746°, 150.57139°, +61 2 6724 1629. 2021-02-20
Sportsmans Hotel, 31 Maitland Street (opposite Bingara Pharmacy), -29.86799°, 150.5716°, +61 2 6724 1880. 2021-02-20

Drink

The Imperial Hotel Motel, 21 Maitland Street (next to the Post Office), -29.86746°, 150.57139°, +61 2 6724 1629. 2021-02-20
Sportsmans Hotel, 31 Maitland Street (opposite Bingara Pharmacy), -29.86799°, 150.5716°, +61 2 6724 1880. 2021-02-20
Bingara Returned Servicemens' Club (RSL), 46 Finch Street (corner Finch Street and Memorial Avenue), -29.867089°, 150.569884°, +61 2 6724 1404. Phone for hours.
Bingara Sporting Club, 8 Bombelli Street (corner of Bombelli Street and Keera Street), -29.866411°, 150.563247°, +61 2 6724 1206, binsport@bigpond.net.au. M-F 4PM-midnight, Sa Su 10AM-midnight.

Sleep

Hotels

The Imperial Hotel Motel, 21 Maitland Street (next to the Post Office), -29.86746°, 150.57139°, +61 2 6724 1629. Phone for rates and availability. 2021-02-20
The Sportsman's Hotel, 31 Maitland Street (opposite Bingara Pharmacy), -29.86799°, 150.5716°, +61 2 6724 1880. Phone for rates and availability. 2021-02-20

Motels

Bingara Fossickers Way Motel, 2 Finch Street (corner Finch Street and Link Street), -29.86563°, 150.57499°, +61 2 6724 1373. from $80 per night. Ask about pet-friendly rooms 2021-02-20

Accommodation

The River House, 2 Finch Street, -29.86450°, 150.57138°, +61 428 834 281. From $125 per night. Phone or enquire through website for availability

Caravan parks and camping

Bingara Riverside Caravan Park, 21 Maitland Street (Copeton Dam Road, just past the swimming pool but before the hospital, on the right hand side), -29.86362°, 150.57773°, +61 427 241 300, bingaracaravanpark@gwydir.nsw.gov.au. Modern sewered amenities amenities block, complete with laundry facilities. Shower and toilet for disabled visitors. Electric barbecues. Caretaker on site. Pets are welcome, provided they are kept under control and on leash at all times. No dogs allowed in cabins. Cabins, van sites, camp sites. See website for rates. Phone for availability. 2021-02-20

Cope

Emergency

Police Station, 26 Maitland Street (opposite the post office), -29.86717°, 150.57117°, +61 2 6724 1144. Not open 24 hours.
Bingara Multi Purpose Service Hospital, 8a Copeton Dam Road (next to the caravan park), -29.863248°, 150.578952°, +61 2 6728 0100. Open 24 hours.
Bingara Veterinary Clinic, 35a Maitland Street (next to Gwydir Shire Council chambers), -29.86800°, 150.57158°, +61 2 6728 0100. M Tu Th F 9AM-5PM.

Fuel and mechanical

BP Service Station, 56 Finch Street (corner of Finch Street and Riddell Street), -29.867393°, 150.568820°, +61 2 6724 1321.
RWK Mechanical Repairs & Services, 11 East Street (corner of East Street/B95 and White Street, diagonally opposite Bingara Bicentennial Park), -29.860144°, 150.574141°, +61 491 636 362.

Public telephones

Public phone, 17 Maitland Street (in front of the post office, next to the Imperial Hotel Motel), -30.867313°, 150.571389°.

Banks

There are no longer branches of the major banks in Bingara. It is advisable to do any necessary banking before departing for Bingara.

Regional Australia Bank, 39 Maitland Street (corner of Maitland Street and Cunningham Street), -29.86851°, 150.57184°, +61 132 067. M W F 10AM-3PM. ATM
Bank@Post (Australia Post Bingara LPO), 17-19 Maitland Street (next to Imperial Hotel Motel), -29.86717°, 150.57128°, +61 2 6724 1100. M-F 9AM-5PM. Agent for Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank.

ATM

Redi ATM (Regional Australia Bank), 39 Maitland Street (corner Maitland Street and Cunningham Street). 24 hours.
Cashcard ATM (Bingara RSL), 46-50 Finch Street. RSL Club hours.

Services

Australia Post, 17-19 Maitland Street (next to Imperial Hotel Motel), -29.86717°, 150.57128°, +61 2 6724 1100. M-F 9AM-5PM.

Go next

Warialda - north of Bingara: 42 km via Allan Cunningham Road/B95, turn right onto Gwydir Highway (31 min)
Yetman - north of Bingara: 124 km via Allan Cunningham Road/B95, Warialda, turn left onto Stephen Street/Warialda Road/B95, through Coolatai, turn right onto Bruxner Highway (1 hr 29 min)
Boggabilla - north of Bingara: 184 km via Allan Cunningham Road, Warialda, turn left onto Stephen Street/Warialda Road/B95, through Coolatai, turn left onto Bruxner Highway (1 hr 51 min)
Goondiwindi (Queensland) - north of Bingara: 194 km via Allan Cunningham Road, Warialda, turn left onto Stephen Street/Warialda Road/B95, through Coolatai, turn left onto Bruxner Highway, through Boggabilla and continue north on the Newell Highway/A39, cross the Macintyre river and turn left at the roundabout (2 hr 12 min)
Delungra - north-east of Bingara: 43 km via Allan Cunningham Road/B95, turn right into Delungra Road, continue past the Myall Creek Memorial Site on the right, cross the Myall Creek bridge and continue straight ahead (now the Bingara Road), continue past the Delungra Bypass Road on the right (30 min)
Inverell - north-east of Bingara: 70 km via Allan Cunningham Road/B95, turn right onto Delungra Road, continue past the Myall Creek Memorial Site on the right, cross the Myall Creek bridge and continue straight ahead (now the Bingara Road), turn right onto the Delungra Bypass Road, turn right onto the Gwydir Highway/B76 (52 min) If you miss the Delungra Bypass Road, continue ahead 6 km to Delungra, and turn right onto Inverell Street/Gwydir Highway.
Glen Innes - north-east of Bingara: 136 km via Allan Cunningham Road/B95, Delungra Road, Delungra Bypass Road (on the right), turn right onto the Gwydir Highway, Inverell, continue ahead east on the Gwydir Highway (1 hr 37 min) If you miss the Delungra Bypass Road, continue ahead 6 km to Delungra, and turn right onto Inverell Street/Gwydir Highway.
Bundarra - south-east of Bingara: 74 km via Copeton Dam Road, turn right onto Bingara Road, turn left onto Barraba Road (56 min)
Armidale - south-east of Bingara: 152 km via Copeton Dam Road, turn right onto Bingara Road, turn left onto Barraba Road (56 min), Bundarra, turn right onto Bendemeer Street/Thunderbolts Way, turn left onto Bundarra Road (2 hr 8 min)
Uralla - south-east of Bingara: 146 km via Copeton Dam Road, turn right onto Bingara Road, turn left onto Barraba Road (56 min), Bundarra, turn right onto Bendemeer Street/Thunderbolts Way, turn right onto Uralla Street N, turn left onto Hill Street (1 hr 44 min)
Barraba - south of Bingara: 61 km via Cobbadah Road/B95 (42 min)
Manilla - south of Bingara: 107 km via Cobbadah Road/B95, Barraba, Fossickers Way/B95 (1 hr 12 min)
Tamworth: south of Bingara - 151 km via Cobbadah Road, through Barraba, Fossickers Way/B95, through Manilla, continue south on B95 (1 hr 48 min)
Gunnedah - south-west of Bingara: 148 km via Cobbadah Road, through Barraba, continue south on Fossickers Way/B95, turn right onto Longarm Road, continue ahead past Hobden Road turn-off on the left onto Kelvin Road, turn right onto Rangari Road then left again back onto Kelvin Road, continue ahead on O'Keefe Avenue (2 hr 21 min)
Narrabri - south-west of Bingara: 108 km via Cunningham Street/Narrabri Road, continue ahead on Killarney Gap Road, past the Sawn Rocks, turn left onto the Newell Highway/A39 (1 hr 22 min)
Moree - north-west of Bingara: 101 km via Cunningham Street, turn right onto West Street/Gwydir Terrace, turn left onto Herbert Street/Elcombe Road, cross the Horton River bridge, turn left onto the Gwydir Highway, continue through Gravesend, continue past Biniguy on the left (1 hr 12 min)

Bingara - town in New South Wales, Australia