Guide to Hillston New South Wales Australia

Hillston is a quaint outback town, bursting with old-world charm and friendly locals, located on the Kidman Way the area is the Riverina‘s outback.

It is well worth taking the time out to explore Willandra National Park, 64km west of Hillston. With wide-open grasslands and an abundance of native wildlife, you get a great sense of isolation and history. The impressive homestead has accommodation and is on the bank of Willandra Creek, attracting Kangaroos into the homestead garden. It also offers an insight into the pastoral heritage of the area, as the area cover by the National Park was formally a renowned merino stud.

The Hillston and surrounding area is home to a diversity of agriculture from the more traditional wool and sheep production to the recent developments of cotton, olives, cherries and mangos. The extensive horticulture in Hillston is possible due to the large artesian basin providing water for irrigation.

The surrounding villages of Carrathool, Merriwagga, Rankins Springs and Goolgowi are known as Black Stump Country. The Black Stump is a macabre legend about a bullockies wife, Barbara Blain. The legend unfolds that as the bullocky went to tend to the cattle his wife’s dress caught on fire. Stricken by grief the bullocky is believed to have said her burnt body looked just like a black stump. This legend embodies the spirit of our pioneers and the hardships that they endured opening up the area.