Bland Shire
From the natural beauty of pristine bushland and beautifully preserved heritage buildings the towns and villages in the Bland Shire tells the story of its golden past.
West Wyalong is the main town in the Bland Shire local government area and located at the point where the Mid-Western and Newell Highways meet.
Other villages include Barmedman, Kikiora, Mirrool, Naradhan, Tallimba, Ungarie and Weethalle.
Our towns and villages are brimming with things to see and do. Embrace a simpler, less stressful way of life, smell the clean air and settle into relaxed country living.
Find your perfect country location and hearts of gold in the Bland Shire.
Discover what it’s really like to make that change, read our articles about Bland Shire for news and personal stories from tree changers who live there!
Living & housing
Median house price
$265,000
Rent average
$275 per week
March 2021 quarter, Rent and Sales Government Communities & Justice
Population – Bland Shire
59372020, Data by Region, Australia Bureau of Statistics
Climate
Distinct seasons with hot, dry summers and cold winters.
Average temperature range:
Spring: 9° – 26°C
Summer: 17° – 33°C
Autumn: 10° – 24°C
Winter: 3° – 15°C
Average rainfall: 432mm
Elevation: 262M
Transport
Distance from cities
Sydney: 490kms
Canberra: 275kms
Melbourne: 574kms
Wagga Wagga: 157Km
Public Transport options (local and interstate)
- Private taxi and bus rental/service options available
- Wyalong & District Community Transport – Phone: 02 6972 3106
- Country Link Regional Coach Service
- Regular passenger services are available from nearby airports:
- Wagga Wagga Regional Airport (160kms)
- Griffith Airport (155kms)
- Parkes Regional Airport (143kms)
- Narrandera – Leeton Airport (142kms)
The West Wyalong Airport is Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Air Services Australia certified with Charter flights available to/from the facility.
Discover more
Health & medical
Health & Medical Services
- Wyalong & District Hospital and Health Service
- Wagga Wagga Base Hospital (156km)
- Bland Medical Centre
- Tristar Medical Centre
- West Wyalong Medical Centre
- West Wyalong Community Health Centre
- Kurrajong Waratah Disability Services
- West Wyalong Community Care Centre
- RFBI West Wyalong Masonic Village
- West Wyalong Healthsave Pharmacy
- West Wyalong Pharmacy
Education
Early childhood services & Pre-School
- Bland Shire Children Services Unit provides early and middle childhood community based services including Preschool, Family Day Care, Mobile Resource Unit, Vacation Care, It Takes A Village, Toy Library and Playgroup.
- West Wyalong Little Wattle Preschool & Childcare Centre
Primary schools
- Barmedman Public School
- Naradhan Public School
- St Mary’s War Memorial School
- Tallimba Public School
- Ungarie Central School
- Weethalle Public School
- West Wyalong Public School
- Wyalong Public School
High schools
TAFE/University
Recreation
The Bland Shire boasts beautiful parks, gardens and recreation facilities for the enjoyment of locals and visitors. We are a proud and passionate sporting community with a rich history and Council has made significant investments in the Shire’s recreational assets.
From the Wetlands to historic Cooinda Reserve and the lush McCann and Barnado Parks or the Park Street Recreation Precinct. The Bland Shire offers plenty of wide open recreation space for you to take a break, exercise, play and meet with friends. Don’t miss the fun at Holland Park Pool during the summer months!
Clubs
Throughout the Shire there are a range of special interest community groups and sporting organisations.
Attractions:
Natural Attractions
Bland Shire’s State Forests, National Parks and Reserves are a great place for a drive or bike ride. These areas including Lake Cowal are excellent for bird and wildlife watching, mountain biking, bushwalking, fossicking, panoramic views, breathtaking sunsets and picnics.
Parks, Pools, Playgrounds and Sporting Fields
- The parks are lush and green all year round with most of them having BBQ and picnic facilities. Let the kids burn off some energy at the skate park with their tricks or plan a picnic at the safe playgrounds that provide are perfect outing for the family.
- Our sporting fields are a great asset to the Bland Shire. Sport is played all year round with sport for all ages. Sporting opportunities include 3 Codes of Football, Cricket, Tennis, Bowling and many more.
- Our pools are open through the warmer months and perfect for families. Holland Park pool also has a giant waterslide, diving board and caters for children’s parties. Please see their website for more information.
- https://www.blandshire.nsw.gov.au/Recreation
Major Attractions:
Bland Shire Art Trail
Bland Shire is rich in history, culture and art.
Find some of the best country art projects in rural NSW including the Weethalle Silo Art Project, McCann Park Chainsaw Art, The Big Footy in Ungarie and numerous murals and other attractions within the shire.
- https://www.blandshire.nsw.gov.au/Visitor-Information/Things-to-See-and-Do
- https://izi.travel/en/074f-bland-shire-self-guided-art-and-sculpture-trail/en
- https://www.facebook.com/WestWyalongTourism
West Wyalong History & Heritage
The town has a rich and colourful history despite the early assessment of explorer John Oxley when he passed through the area in 1817 and famously declared “from want of timber, grass and water, it would never be inhabited by civilised man”.
Fred Neeld’s discovery of gold in Wyalong in December 1893 soon proved Mr Oxley wrong.
As the population of Wyalong swelled, West Wyalong was gazetted and settled in 1895 around the old bullock track.
Download the izi Travel App on your mobile or tablet. This interactive tour will take in some of the significant buildings and locations in West Wyalong’s history. Or collect a map from the West Wyalong Visitors Information Centre.
Events
With regular events taking place throughout the Bland Shire there is always something happening to entertain you.
From fun family events like the Mirrool Silo Kick, or the West Wyalong Show to regular markets where you can find fresh produce and local goods.
Please see the Bland Shire Council website for a detailed list of Annual Events
- https://www.blandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Events-Directory
- https://www.facebook.com/WestWyalongTourism
Life in Bland is far from Dull and Boring.
Careers
Bland Shire boasts a number of employment opportunities with growth in the mining and mineral explorations, housing industry and associated trades, plumbing, electrical and construction.
There are further economic development opportunities in the transport, retail, and renewable energy areas.
Council has acquired industrial land for the development of the West Wyalong Business Park.
Main industries
- Agriculture
- Mining
Main employers
Setting up your own business
Business establishment and support:
Villages
Villages
West Wyalong/Wyalong
West Wyalong is the main town and business centre for the Bland Shire.
The original occupants of the district were the Wiradjuri people. Explorer John Oxley was the first European to investigate the area in 1817, but couldn’t find water and prophesied that: From want of timber, grass and water, it would never be inhibited by civilized man”. Well… we proved him wrong.
Squatters settled in the district from 1833 recognizing the agricultural potential with vast sheep and cattle runs introduced.
It was not until Joseph Neeld discovered gold in 1893 that a centralized settlement developed. Wyalong was laid out in 1894 with a population of 10 000. More gold were found in West Wyalong, which also contained the water source and was officially laid out in 1895.
Gold mining is still active today in the Bland Shire with Cowal Gold Operations near Lake Cowal.
Barmedman
Located 32 kilometres from West Wyalong the historic village is famous for its mineral pool, which originated from the flooding of Barmedman goldmines by an underground stream in the 1880’s. The pool is said to have healing properties due to its high mineral content.
Barmedman’s biggest annual event is the Barmedman Modified Tractor Pull, which is held in October each year.
Kikoira
Kikoira is located 38 kilometres north of Weethalle. Kikoira is a small rural community with an active tennis club.
Mirrool
Mirrool is a vibrant village nestled just off the Newell Highway 47 kilometres south of West Wyalong. The village is best known for the annual silo kick where people come from far and wide to attempt to hoist a Sherrin football over the historic silos.
The historic Royal Hotel is a popular place for locals and visitors as well as the picturesque Sunshine Park.
Naradhan
Located 127 kilometres from West Wyalong in the north-west of the Bland LGA, Naradhan is a close-knit community with areas of high environmental value and a rich agricultural heritage, with winter cropping and sheep grazing the predominant agricultural activities. The Naradhan Historic Woolshed was built in 1888 and has been fully restored to its glorious past and is a must see for visitors to the region.
Tallimba
Tallimba is a quaint agriculture community situated 35 kilometres south-west of West Wyalong. Sheep grazing and winter cropping are the predominant agricultural activities in the locality. The community hub is the Tallimba Inn, which stands directly across from the public park, which has public toilets, a barbecue, shelter area, basketball court and War Memorial.
Ungarie
With a population of 290 and located 42 kilometres from West Wyalong, Ungarie is the home of “The Big Football” – a large fibreglass Sherrin football which stands at Bing Wallder Park as a tribute to the Daniher family. Born and raised in Ungarie, Terry, Neale, Anthony and Chris Daniher are the only set of four brothers to play together in a VFL/AFL premiership match, The Daniher legend is part of Ungarie’s rich sporting heritage. Sheep grazing and winter cropping remains the major industries in Ungarie.
Weethalle
Located 58 kilometres to the west of West Wyalong, Weethalle is home to the first silo art project in New South Wales. The spectacular artwork depicts a shearer, sheep in a pen and a farmer in a field of wheat with the famous sunshine harvester in the background as a tribute to the town’s agricultural history.
The Weethalle Whistlestop Museum takes visitors on a journey through time and serves delicious Devonshire teas most days.
Learn More About Bland Shire
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