We were at Forbes and heading south to Temora, so, not knowing the area, we called in to the visitor information centre in the old Forbes Railway Station for help. 

A brochure for Temora said there is a caravan park at Ariah Park where self-contained vehicles can stay for free for 14 days. “Rubbish,” says the wife, “no caravan park lets you stay for free!”

We travelled through Barmedman, on to Ariah Park, over the railway line, and straight into the main street. Wow, what a pretty place. At the far end of town (south end) are the campground signs, $10-$15 for a powered site with water and access to the shower block, or alternatively you can park in the self-contained area and use the public toilets - donations are appreciated for the use of the facility. 

We learnt from the very friendly locals that this campground is a community facility run by volunteers. The fully equipped camp kitchen was built just two years ago and shows no signs of wear; big stainless steel bench tops, double bowl sink, microwave, electric jug, electric toaster and electric BBQ, really everything that you might need and very well maintained. Included in the kitchen area are two, eight-seater tables and benches, all under a solid metal roof with protective sides for the prevailing winds. The shower block has three showers, a toilet, washing machine and sink, local information brochures and a book exchange. Feel free to do any cleaning, gardening or just sorting out the brochures while you are visiting - it is really appreciated by the locals and the travelling public. The campground is surrounded by trees and is a well maintained and very spacious area. During our stay (January, 2013) the ground was very dry so there was a bit of dust around when the wind came up – but that is camping! The setting is beside the local sports oval and adjacent to the netball  and tennis courts, with the golf course just a stone’s throw over the side road.

The local swimming pool is an easy walk from the campground and at just $3 for the day it is an absolute bargain. The grounds are beautifully maintained with large play areas and a BBQ all on site. Again, this is a community facility run by volunteers, so opening times vary according to demand. Next to the swimming pool is a youth hall (corrugated iron structure) and skateboard park. There are no signs of graffiti here and with so much town pride I don’t think anyone would dare do so. Adjacent to the sports oval is a children’s play area, BBQ, and more picnic tables, mostly sheltered with trees.

The town area is beautiful with a great wide street separated by bark gardens and peppercorn trees lining the centre area, there are picnic tables in a central position and just outside the café. There is a general store with banking facilities, a hardware shop, post office, library, museum, Second Glance pre-owned shop with absolute bargains (again, run by volunteers), two other second-hand shops and a hotel. All these buildings have original looking facades repainted in heritage colours and they really give the town some character. There is a garage here and just up the road from town is the bowls club, a great little place; social bowls and barefoot bowls for the new-comers, great meals and pokies too (if you need a fix). It’s very easy to get around town with relaxed, flat walking paths, perfect for riding bicycles if you have them, and don’t be surprised if you get invited in somewhere for a cuppa. Or, if you are really lucky you might get to sample one of Grace’s cream puffs! You may spot Fred’s old Zephyr and teardrop caravan, or some of his other ‘treasures’ out on the paddock, or you could be passing Ian’s place and see that much needed  ‘thing’ that you just have to have. Sunday morning at the café is where the local ladies meet for a cuppa and a roast lunch, so if you want to catch the local news, then this is the place to be.

Lake Abertree is four kilometres up the road and worth a look, this is the locals play area, including popular activities such as boating, fishing, anything you can do on water really, plus there are toilets, a shelter, and picnic tables too.

Broken Dam is the site of the original settlement in the area, that is prior to the railway coming through, then the town was resited to the side of the railway and named Ariah Park, pronounced ‘area park’ by the locals. There are still some remnants of Broken Dam a couple of kilometres up the road - you can get your map from the information centre in town. The huge grain silos sit prominently at the northern entrance to town and on your left as you enter is a railway wagon, the first used in NSW to bulk transport grain. The museum has the full story on this and it is really worth the time to read it and check out the old pictures, as is the history of the building of the grain silos, in the early to mid-1920s.

The third weekend in October each year is the Mary Gilmour Festival, a celebration of things unique to the area, music, poetry, yarns, and stalls, but if you want a space in the campground, get  in early as they fill up fast. Some come back each year just for the Mary Gilmour as it really has become a bit of a legend out at Ariah Park. The following weekend is the Bachelor and Spinsters ball, so you might choose to be out of town by then, unless you want to lend a hand with the tidy-up on Sunday morning.

Bowsers, Wowsers, and Peppercorn Trees you may ask? Bowsers - there are, and have been, an unusual number of petrol bowsers in Ariah Park, some of which are still on the footpaths - a remnant of the times past. Wowsers - those that did not partake of a tipple, there were quite a few, evidently (but happy hour at the campground does happen). Peppercorn trees - that line the medium strip of the town centre, someone decided so many years ago that it would be a good idea, but the jury is still out on that!

Ariah Park – worth a look, stay a while, meet the locals, hear the history, learn and be impressed. The community are prepared to do what it takes to keep this small town going, they deserve your business, and you will enjoy the hospitality – just give it a go, you won’t be disappointed.

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Written: Mon 01 Apr 2013
Printed: April, 2013
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