Where can I stay in Coolatai?

Pub-style rooms at the Wallaroo Hotel and free/donation camping at Coolatai Sports Ground. Nearby Warialda has a caravan park and unique stays such as Faraway Domes. Bingara has riverside caravan parks and motels.

Where do Coolatai travellers shop?

Coolatai is not a supermarket town. Warialda (~40 km) is the everyday hub for IGA groceries, Mitre 10 hardware and cafés. Yetman and North Star have smaller stores; Bingara and Inverell are longer retail runs.

What is there to do near Coolatai?

Day trips to Kwiambal National Park and Macintyre Falls, Cranky Rock near Warialda, Bingara Roxy Theatre and fossicking, The Living Classroom, Myall Creek Memorial, Horton Falls, annual vintage tractor pull and campdraft, and evenings at the Wallaroo Hotel.

Is Coolatai good for families?

Yes for short inland family trips: Coolatai Sports Ground camping, Warialda and Bingara pools, Cranky Rock playground, Living Classroom food gardens, and fossicking. Pack water and hats for summer heat.

Where are jobs around Coolatai?

Most stable roles are in Warialda and Bingara — Gwydir Shire Council, health/aged care, schools, retail and trades. Outside town, grain, cattle, feedlots and contracting dominate and swing with seasons. Check council careers pages and national job boards; Coolatai Local does not post live vacancies.

Wallaroo Hotel at Coolatai, New South Wales

Coolatai NSW · Gwydir Country

Discover Coolatai & Gwydir Country

Q: Where is Coolatai NSW?

Coolatai is a small village in northern New South Wales (postcode 2402) on Ottleys Creek, on the touring route between Warialda and Yetman toward the Queensland border.

An independent guide to tourism, history, businesses, events, family days, jobs and community life around Coolatai NSW and the wider Gwydir Country.

Visit · Family · Jobs · Stay · Eat · History · Map

Visitor hub Free area map

What's on

Upcoming & annual events

All events

upper-hortonequestrianAnnual

Upper Horton Campdraft and Rodeo

29 Dec 2026

Huge New Year campdraft/rodeo (roughly 29 Dec–1 Jan) with thousands of cattle runs and competitors statewide. Jeans-and-buckles dress code optional but common. Camp early.

warialdacommunityAnnual

Warialda Honey Festival

20 Feb 2027

Annual celebration of Warialda as “place of wild honey” with markets, beeswax crafts, food stalls, entertainment and kids’ activities. Confirm the year’s date via Visit Gwydir / festival Facebook.

gravesendfishingAnnual

Mason Daley Memorial Cod Classic

20 Mar 2027

Annual Gwydir River fishing competition based at Gravesend (third weekend in March per Visit Gwydir). Check Gravesend Fishing Club channels for weigh-in details and camping rules.

croppa-creekcommunityAnnual

Croppa Creek Classic machinery display

10 Apr 2027

Historical farm machinery display from homewares to harvesters — paradise for machinery buffs visiting Croppa Creek.

north-starequestrianAnnual

North Star Cutting

15 Apr 2027

Visit Gwydir describes a four-day cutting event in April with substantial prize money — listed as one of Australia’s larger cutting meets. Confirm dates annually.

warialdaagriculturalAnnual

Warialda Show

14 May 2027

Three-day agricultural show typically on the second weekend in May — one of the North West’s stronger country shows. Pavilion exhibits, animals, sideshows and volunteer energy.

History & folklore

From Coolootai station to today’s village

Surveyed in 1902 beside the old Coolootai run — hotel and stores by 1903, Cunningham’s Track nearby, Warialda as the district hub, and panther yarns kept clearly labelled as folklore.

History hub Village history Map the places

Photo: Wallaroo Hotel, Coolatai — image credits

Explore around Coolatai

Towns & localities

Coolatai

Tiny Ottleys Creek village on the quieter Warialda–Yetman touring run toward the Queensland border — hotel, sports-ground camping and bushland edges.

Warialda

Nearest full-service town south of Coolatai — groceries, hardware, cafés, visitor centre, pool and Cranky Rock access.

Yetman

Yetman sits north of Coolatai on the Bruxner Highway corridor toward the Queensland border, linked to cattle and rural industry.

North Star

Grain and grazing village west of Coolatai — silos, sporting club, weekday store/post office and big-sky cropping country.

Croppa Creek

Small “golden triangle” cropping village with store, bowls club, donation camping and vintage machinery character.

Gravesend

Gwydir Highway village with river camping, a busy general shop and notable road/rail bridges.

Warialda Rail

Warialda Rail is a rural locality near Warialda, reflecting the district’s railway-era settlement pattern.

Surrounding country

Farms, bushland and rural roads between Coolatai, Warialda, Yetman and the Queensland border.

Bingara

Gwydir River town and “Gem on the Gwydir” — heritage main street, Roxy Theatre, fossicking country and a full visitor service hub.

Inverell

Larger regional centre east of Coolatai country — major supermarket and retail option for travellers needing a full shop.

Upper Horton

Highest village in Gwydir Shire (about 384 m) between Horton River and Cobbadah Creek — Sports Club, camping and big New Year campdraft energy.

Shopping areas

Where to shop from Coolatai

Shopping guide

Coolatai is not a supermarket town. Warialda covers groceries and hardware; Yetman and North Star cover smaller stores; Bingara and Inverell are longer retail runs.

Warialda

IGA · Mitre 10 · cafés · Royal Hotel

Yetman

General store · Codfish Hotel

North Star

Store/PO mornings · Sporting Club

Bingara

Bakehouse · IGA · main street

Stay

Where to stay

All stay

AccommodationbingaraNeeds check

Bingara Riverside Caravan Park

Bingara caravan park in an idyllic riverside setting opposite the Gwydir.

Powered/unpowered riverside caravan park opposite the Gwydir — family-friendly Bingara stay.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

AccommodationcoolataiNeeds check

Coolatai Sports Ground camping

Peaceful free camping at Coolatai Sports Ground with barbecues; toilets and hot showers by donation.

In Coolatai — free/donation camping used by travellers and during major local events.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

AccommodationbingaraNeeds check

Gwydir River free camps (Bingara–Copeton)

Multiple primitive free camping spots along the Gwydir between Copeton and Bingara.

Primitive riverside free camps between Copeton Dam and Bingara — self-contained only.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Accommodationsurrounding countryNeeds check

Lemon Tree Flat campground

Bookable riverside campground in Kwiambal National Park — preferred for caravans and camper trailers.

Day trip / overnight from Coolatai–Yetman country inside Kwiambal National Park.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Eat & drink

Pubs, meals & supplies

All food

Eat & DrinkyetmanNeeds check

Codfish Hotel

Yetman country pub with meals, drinks and basic hotel accommodation.

Yetman village hub on the Coolatai–Queensland border touring route.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Eat & DrinkbingaraNeeds check

Sportsman’s Hotel Bingara

Bingara’s Sportsman’s Hotel (Top Pub) open seven days for meals and drinks.

Bingara “Top Pub” — seven-day country pub meals and a social hub on Maitland Street.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Eat & DrinkcoolataiNeeds check

Wallaroo Hotel

Coolatai’s country pub with meals, supplies and simple pub-style accommodation.

In Coolatai village — the main social hub for locals and travellers.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Eat & DrinkwarialdaNeeds check

Commercial Hotel Warialda

Warialda pub serving traditional counter meals including schnitzels and burgers.

Warialda main-street pub meals — schnitzels, burgers and classic country fare.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Things to do

Nature, drives & local places

All experiences

Things To DowarialdaNeeds check

Cranky Rock Recreation Reserve

Granite boulder reserve with viewing platform, walks, birdwatching and camping near Warialda.

East of Warialda — granite boulder landscape and camping popular with Gwydir travellers.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Things To Dosurrounding countryNeeds check

Cunningham’s Track (Gwydir Country)

Follow roadside markers where Allan Cunningham’s 1827 track crosses modern Gwydir roads.

1827 explorer route that passed near Coolatai — interpretive road signs across Gwydir Shire.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Things To DobingaraNeeds check

HF Batterham Memorial Lookout

High lookout over Gwydir and Stoddart’s valleys with picnic facilities (no toilets; not for caravans).

Steep bitumen climb to valley views — sunset and moonrise favourite above Bingara.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Things To Dosurrounding countryNeeds check

Kwiambal National Park

Remote national park with Macintyre Falls, riverside swimming, walks and campgrounds.

Popular day trip from Coolatai and Yetman — gorges, falls, swimming and camping.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Full visitor hub · Family days out

Family

Pools, fossicking & kid-friendly days

Family hub

FamilywarialdaNeeds check

Warialda Public Pool

Warialda public swimming pool — classic country summer relief.

Town pool for cooling off after Cranky Rock or Coolatai summer days.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

FamilybingaraNeeds check

Bingara Swimming Pool

Bingara public pool — easy family add-on to river and fossicking days.

Bingara town pool for river-town summer stays and family afternoons.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Live & work

Jobs across Gwydir Country

Council careers, rural seasonal work and how to hunt employment without getting scammed — oriented for people relocating or looking from Coolatai, Warialda and Bingara.

Jobs hub Jobs directory

Jobs & WorkwarialdaNeeds check

Gwydir Shire Council careers

Council careers and tenders for Gwydir Shire — Warialda technical services and Bingara admin hubs.

Primary public-sector employer across Warialda and Bingara service centres.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Jobs & Worksurrounding countryNeeds check

Rural & seasonal work around Gwydir

How rural employment typically works in Gwydir grain, cattle and contracting country.

Orientation note for farm, feedlot, machinery and seasonal work seekers across Coolatai–Croppa–North Star country.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Local businesses

Useful places, featured first

Full directory

Things To Doupper hortonNeeds check

Bike Territory Castletop

Guided and self-ride off-road biking with cabin and camping options at Castletop.

Off-road ATV and trail-bike experiences with camping/cabins near Upper Horton.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

AccommodationbingaraNeeds check

Bingara Fossickers Way Motel

Centrally located Bingara motel for northwest NSW touring.

Central Bingara motel base for Fossickers Way travellers exploring Gwydir River country.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

CommunitybingaraNeeds check

Bingara Visitor Information Centre

Bingara VIC for maps, tours, Roxy information and regional trip planning.

Southern Gwydir visitor desk — maps, Roxy tour bookings and local tips from Bingara.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Things To DobingaraNeeds check

Bingara district fossicking

Self-guided fossicking for gold, gems and crystals on permitted Bingara district spots.

Gold, gems and crystal fossicking around Bingara — classic Fossickers Way family activity.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

CommunitywarialdaNeeds check

Carinda House

Volunteer-run historic house selling local crafts, baking, jams and preserves, with exhibitions.

Historic volunteer-run craft and produce house on Stephen Street.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Rural ServiceswarialdaNeeds check

Carlo’s IGA Warialda

Family-owned IGA supermarket on Stephen Street — the practical full grocery shop for Coolatai travellers.

Main supermarket for Coolatai–Warialda district day-to-day shopping.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Farms & country

Agriculture is part of the identity

Farms directory

Gwydir Country is working land. This section will grow with farms, contractors, equestrian and rural services as more verified listings are researched.

Farms & Countrycroppa creekNeeds check

McGregor Gourlay Croppa Creek

Agricultural supplies and services at Croppa Creek.

Major ag supplier presence in Croppa Creek grain country.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Farms & Countrycroppa creekNeeds check

Total Ag Services Croppa Creek

Croppa Creek agricultural supplies and rural services.

Agricultural supplies beside the Croppa Creek Store — working-farm services hub.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026View details

Community

Groups, halls & Facebook

Find publicly discoverable community pages, visitor services and organisations relevant to Coolatai and surrounding districts.

Community hub Facebook directory

Stories from the district

Editorial notes

Tractor pull country — machines on the common
Coolatai’s vintage tractor pull is one of the village’s annual gatherings that still draws a crowd to the sports ground.
Cunningham’s Track through Gwydir Country
In 1827 botanist Allan Cunningham passed near present-day Coolatai on his overland route toward the Darling Downs.
Warialda — place of wild honey
Weraerai Country, Cunningham in 1827, Border Police outpost, gazetted village, and the nearest full-service town to Coolatai.
Coolatai, Coolootai — reeds, creek and station
The village name likely adapts Coolootai station — reed-covered water and the suffix ‘tai’ (creek) in local tourism accounts.

Quick answers

FAQ

Where is Coolatai NSW?

A small village in northern NSW (postcode 2402) on Ottleys Creek, between Warialda and Yetman toward the Queensland border.

Where can I stay?

Wallaroo Hotel rooms and free/donation camping at Coolatai Sports Ground. Warialda has a caravan park and Faraway Domes nearby.

Where do travellers shop?

Warialda (~40 km) for IGA and Mitre 10. Yetman and North Star for smaller stores; Bingara and Inverell for longer retail runs.

What is there to do?

Kwiambal / Macintyre Falls, Cranky Rock, Bingara Roxy and fossicking, Living Classroom, Myall Creek Memorial, Horton Falls, annual tractor pull and campdraft — see the visitor hub for loops.

Is it good for families?

Yes — town pools, Cranky Rock playground, Living Classroom, fossicking and cheap Coolatai camping. Start at the family hub for kid-friendly picks.

Where are the jobs?

Most stable roles are in Warialda and Bingara (council, health, retail, trades). Rural work is seasonal. Coolatai Local orients — apply via official employer channels.