Cottage, Holiday house, Farm stays, Guest house

Located on the working farm "Barkala", and a stone's throw from the fabulous Pilliga Pottery, The Old Schoolhouse is a farmstay with a difference! All the fun of farm activities such as feeding animals, pony rides and petting our young goats, combined with the wonderful creativity of one of NSW's largest potteries, where everything is handmade. You're welcome to watch the potters and artists at work, and the kids can even have a "play with clay". Plus a beautiful gallery shop and an on-site cafe, serving Devonshire teas/lunchs and freshly ground coffee (including cappucinos) all day.There are also delicious home-made pizzas (wood-fired by arrangement).

You can also go bushwalking or do some birdwatching - we have a wide variety of birds in our extensive native gardens, including 8 threatened species at or near the homestead. Book in for a guided bird tour, or a horse trail ride.

Feel free to wander around and enjoy the unique, handcrafted buildings and furniture which are dotted around the property.

Or ...simply relax and do nothing! Perhaps put your feet up on the balcony, go for a short stroll in one of our ridge-lined paddocks or cool down in the pool - the perfect place to unwind.

The Old Schoolhouse sleeps 6-8 and is self-contained, with a kitchenette, a shower and toilet, and a BBQ downstairs for guests to use.

Small pets are welcome.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available at the Blue Wren Cafe.

Languages spoken: English(Conversation)  German(Conversation)

Coonabarabran Region

Barkala Farm is poised between the sprawling forests of the Pilliga and the mountains of the Warrumbungles. No shortage of natural beauty here.

We are an easy drive away from:
*the rural town of Coonabarabran, our local centre, with shops, cafes, eateries, supermarkets etc.
*The Crystal Kingdom
*Warrumbungles National Park
*Siding Spring Observatory
*Warrumbungle Observatory
*The Sandstone Caves
*The Sculptures in the Pilliga (4WD only)

And you can day-trip to:
*Mt Kaputar National Park
*Coolah Tops National Park
*Baradine and the old logging villages of the Pilliga, including the township of Pilliga with its relaxing hot springs
*Moree Hot Springs

Holiday experiences

4WD Tours, Art & Craft, Birdwatching, Bushwalking & wilderness, Cultural Experiences, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Eco-friendly, Family Friendly, Farmland Experiences, Gay & Lesbian friendly, Horse riding, Motor Bike Friendly, Museums and Galleries, Pet friendly, Swimming Activities, Unique and Unusual, Walking or Hiking

Facilities

Accept MasterCard, Accept VISA, Babysitting, Balcony, Bath towels provided, BBQ - Gas, Books/Magazines Supplied, Breakfast provisions available for self-cooking, CD Player, Continental Breakfast Available, Continental breakfast provisions available, Cooked Breakfast Available, Cooking facilities, DVD, Fans (ceiling/standard), Faxing Facilities, Gas open fire, Internet access, Kitchen, Linen supplied, No smoking, Outdoor pool, Parking, Pets Welcome Indoors, Pool, Television

Art & Craft

Art and Craft experiences available at this property, Art and Craft experiences located nearby.

The Old Schoolhouse shares the farm with one of the Coonabarabran region's most popular and unusual tourist attractions, Pilliga Pottery. A fascinating creative enterprise with beautiful alternative buildings and a wonderful atmosphere, Pilliga Pottery offers free demonstrations, "play with clay" for the kids, pottery lessons for the brave, as well as a browse through Australia's most unique bush pottery, famed for its glowing "leadlight" designs. Or sit and relax in the Blue Wren Bush Cafe with a homemade Devonshire tea or fresh coffee, or book in for a delicious wood-fired pizza.

Birdwatching

Bird-watching available on-site, Bird-watching available nearby, Binoculars provided, Information provided on local bird population and sightings.

Our property, Barkala, is a haven for wild birds with many species living in our native gardens and around the homestead, including 8 threatened species. Guests are welcome to enjoy the birds at any time, and binoculars are available to borrow at Pilliga Pottery (on site). A complete bird list is available for those interested, and lists of commonly seen species are available in the guesthouse. Visitors who would like to learn more about the birds of the Western Woodlands (whether experienced birdwatchers or beginners) are encouraged to take a guided bird tour on our farm, with local ornithologist and naturalist Dr Helen Stevens. (24 hr notice required)

Bushwalking & wilderness

Bushwalking and wilderness experiences available on-site, Bushwalking and wilderness experiences located nearby, Bushwalking maps provided, Located near a National Park.

We are located on the southern edge of the Pilliga Forest, which contains National Parks, State Conservation Areas, and Nature Reserves. We are 20km from the atmospheric Sandstone Caves, the jewel of the East Pilliga, and an hour away from the Warrumbungle National Park, famous for its walks and views. We also offer walking trails on our own property, maps of which are kept in the guesthouses. Its a fantastic area for stretching the legs, whether you like a gentle stroll or something a little more strenuous!

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Full cooked breakfast.

All meals are available at an extra cost, by arrangement. We offer a cooked or home-fresh continental breakfast with our own bread, cheeses and milk, home-cooked meals such as fresh soup, pancakes or wood-fired pizza, using freshly-picked produce from our own garden wherever possible. Please let us know if you would like to arrange any meals with us during your stay.

Eco-friendly

Building made from ecologically friendly materials, Solar powered accommodation, Bio-diverse setting, Recycling facilities available.

The Old Schoolhouse was hand-built using local timbers and recycled materials where possible, and, like our entire property, is solar-powered. We also collect our own rainwater. We do ask guests to be careful of electricity use and water use, but the marvellous peace and quiet and lack of power lines makes it more than worth it!

Family Friendly

Games/videos for children under 5 available, Fenced/safe outdoor play area, Babysitting services can be arranged, Kids meal options available.

We can offer Pottery classes and pony (horse) riding for your children. Booking essential (additional charges)
Other activities free of charges: Pet animals, swimming pool, play with clay at Pilliga Pottery on Barkala farm.
There is a DVD player in the accommodation, you can bring your own DVDs.

Farmland Experiences

Farm animals live on the property, Sheep, Cattle, Chickens, Horses, Dogs, Other farm animals, Guests able to interact with the farm animals, Working farm with some limits on guest access to animals.

The Old Schoolhouse is situated on the working farm, Barkala. We have many farm animals, including a pig, two young goats suitable for petting, and guinea pigs for the kids to feed. If any animal is in a pen or a gated paddock, please do not enter the enclosure or allow your children to do so without staff permission and supervision. Occasionally you may see wild animals in the paddocks. Please enjoy them from a distance and do not approach them.

Gay & Lesbian friendly

All guests welcome

Horse riding

Horse riding available on-site, Horse riding available nearby, Guests are welcome to bring their own horses.

Barkala Farm offers horse trail rides (bookings required) for all levels of experience, and pony leading for kids on Bobby, our charming little Shetland. Our horses are calm and well trained and our ride leaders are experts. Helmets provided. If you are travelling with your own horse, just ask and we may be able to provide stabling.

Motor Bike Friendly

Motor bike riders welcome, Motor bike parking available

Museums and Galleries

Museum and/or gallery on site.

Looking for something creative or cultural? The Pilliga Pottery shop and gallery is right on-site. Not only will you have a chance to watch potters and artists at work (free demonstrations are on all day) but you can enjoy a browse through our extensive studio workshop and gallery, where pieces range from coffee mugs to garden planters to massive decorative urns. Our product is highly distinctive and unmistakable. We refine our own clay from local sources and blend many of our own glazes - in combination with expert hand-throwing, engraving and painting techniques, this gives our pottery a look duplicated nowhere else. Bright, glossy colours, flowing designs, (including beautiful native patterns) and fabulous shapes - an inspiring cultural experience, from artists who love to mix the ancient handcrafts with modern vision.

Pet friendly

Cats are permitted, Small dogs (less than 11 kg) are permitted, Pets are permitted inside, Secure, fully fenced running area, Other domesticated animals reside at the property.

The Old Schoolhouse is pet-friendly for small pets only. Small pets (such as small dogs or cats) are welcome inside the Schoolhouse. If you have a larger pet, you might like to consider booking one of our other guesthouses, the Poet's Cottage, which is pet-friendly with no size limit. We have two farm dogs on-site, a cattle dog cross and a small terrier. We have a dog-yard, and dog-minding is available if you would like to visit any of the nearby National Parks.

Availability

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