RV Friendlies & Events

The Shire of Balranald is located in New South Wales and covers an area of approximately 21,400 square kilometres, almost half the size of The Netherlands. The main centre of Balranald, is bordered by the Murrumbidgee River, which has two accessible parks featuring walking tracks and is promoted along the Sturt Highway as a popular resting spot for travellers. The township of Balranald was gazetted on the 4th of April, 1851 and is considered the oldest settlement on the Lower Murrumbidgee. The town was established by the primary rural industries harvesting wheat, wool and red gum timber. Agriculture is still a strong factor for the economy of the town with farmers’ now also growing canola, rice, wheat, fruit and vegetables. An interesting fact about Balranald is that the first telephone to be used in Australia was installed at nearby Yanga Station. The telephone was required for communication between the homestead and the shearers’ quarters and installation was carried out by James Cromyn under directions forwarded from England by his uncle Alexander Graham Bell. Today the population of Balranald Shire is approximately 2,500 people and the township has become renowned for the habitation of a frog! But, not just any frog; Balranald is home to the highly endangered Southern Bell frog species, which is listed on the NSW Endangered Species List - Local businesses and Balranald Council hope to promote awareness of the endangered Southern Bell frog with sculptures of the amphibian throughout the town and a large number of frog souvenirs are also for sale at the Visitor Information Centre. The frog sculptures are a key tourist attraction and are popular with both the young and the old.Those visiting Balranald can find casual parking in Market Street, Church Street and We Street. For those wishing to stay in town for a night or two can do so at the newly established caravan and motorhome parking area, which is located behind the Visitor Information Centre in River Street. There is no fee to stay here, and stays are limited to 48 hours. The perfect stopover, Balranald offers plenty of free parking in close proximity to the shopping district and an array of walking trails, bird watching, and other outside activities are available.Tourist/Visitor Centre       Balranald VIC, 78 Market St, Balranald NSWPh: 03 50201 599infocentrestaff@balranald.nsw.gov.auwww.balranald.nsw.gov.auCasual Parking       Market Street, Church Street and We Street. A caravan and motorhome parking area has recently been established off Market Street behind the new visitor information centre. Access to the parking area is via River Street.Short Term Parking           132 Church St, located at the sealed car park in front of water tower, (24hr). A short term caravan and motorhome parking area has recently been established off Market Street behind the new visitor information centre. Access to the parking area is via River Street. And stays are limited to 48 hours.Long Term Parking            Yanga Campsite, Stuart Hwy, 8km SE of BalranaldDump Point  132 Church StPotable Water          Balranald VIC, 78 Market StHospital        Court St, Ph: 0350 719 800Doctors Surgery     Court St, Ph: 0350 201 055Dentist           Peter Sidway, Court St, Ph: 0350 201 362Pharmacy     107 Market St, Ph: 0350 201 618Supermarket            IGA, Market St, Ph: 0350 201 612; Foodworks, Market St, Ph: 0350 201 626

Manilla is a town steeped in history and is the centre of a rich wheat-growing, wool, mixed farming and livestock district, at the junction of the Namoi and Manilla Rivers. It is situated 44 kilometres north of Tamworth on the Fossickers Way and 456 kilometres north of Sydney.For generations Manilla was a familiar campsite for Aboriginal families of the Kamilaroi Nation, the large Indigenous population inhabiting the central north-west region of NSW. The town was laid out in the early 1860s by Arthur Dewhurst. It was gazetted in 1863, although a major flood the following year swept away a number of buildings.You can experience a diverse range of activities in the Manilla district, including great fishing and water sports at Split Rock Dam (long-term parking is also available here) and Lake Keepit Recreation Area (an RV Friendly Destination™). Olives and other olive products such as oil are available to buy and taste at the Canberra Cafe, Manilla Street and platypus can be found in the Namoi and Manilla Rivers.Visit the Warrabah National Park, 35 kilometres north-east of Manilla, and enjoy the pools, rapids and bush walking tracks. It surrounds the Upper Namoi River, which traverses 18km of striking gorge country, where a number of large rapids flow gently past the car, camping and picnic area at the park entrance. Activities include bushwalking, canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, fishing and swimming.In Manilla Street you will find Royce Cottage and Museum, which has the Pioneer Gallery, a schoolhouse, a machinery museum and the original house.So be sure to relax, stay and enjoy what Manilla has to offer.Tourist/Visitor Information CentreManilla VIC, 197 Manilla St, Manilla NSWPh: 02 6785 1207visitmanilla@bigpond.comwww.visittamworth.comCasual Parking (near retail centre)Manilla St & behind the VIC in Alexander LaneShort Term ParkingManilla Freedom Camp, Namoi St, 72hoursLong Term ParkingSplit Rock Dam, (15km north of Manilla), $10.00 pn unpwr; $18.00 pn pwrDump PointCoronation Park, near the Charles St entrancePotable WaterBP Australia Ltd, Manilla RdHospitalManilla Dist Health Centre, Ph: 02 6785 4000Doctors Surgery113 Manilla St, Ph: 02 6785 1095Pharmacy163 Manilla St, Ph: 02 6785 1651Supermarket165 Manilla St, Ph: 02 6785 1104

St Marys is a quaint town located approximately 10 kilometres from the east-coast of Tasmania, in the Break O’Day Municipality. St Marys is the dividing point between the north and south coast, when travelling the east-coast of Tasmania. To reach the town, you can cross the mountains via St Marys Pass or Elephant Pass. The St Marys Pass, which leads to the coast, was built by convicts, taking approximately four years to construct. The township has considerable history with a number of buildings also constructed by convicts in the 19th century.St Marys Sports Ground, located on Harefield Rd, offers visitors short-term parking. There are no fees to stay here and visitors will also have access to a dump point and potable water. While in town you can try the challenging climb to the top of St Patricks Head, or the more accessible South Sister Peak, for stunning forest and coastal views. There are also spectacular views from Elephant Pass. The Coalminers’ Heritage Wall and Heritage Walk at the tiny settlement of Cornwall is a monument to the miners who hand tunneled a coal mine beneath the Mount Nicholas Range.Tourist/Visitor Centre       61 Cecilia St, St Helens, TAS 7216Ph: 03 6376 1744sthelensvic@bodc.tas.gov.au www.tasmaniaseastcoast.com.au Casual Parking       Various locations within town areaShort Term Parking           St Mary's Sports Ground, Harefield RdDump Point  St Mary's Sports Ground, Harefield RdPotable Water          St Mary's Sports Ground, Harefield RdHospital        Gardeners Creek Rd, St Mary's, ph: 03 6372 2111Doctors Surgery     Gardeners Creek Rd, St Mary's, ph: 03 6372 2111Pharmacy     St Mary's Pharmacy, Main St, St Mary's, ph: 03 6372 2844Supermarket            St Mary's Value Plus Supermarket, Main St, St Mary's, ph: 03 6372 2240