Old Bara Guesthouse

There are plenty of lovely places to sit and unwind, whether you’re together inside or outside or tucked up with a book. The beds are comfortable, the kitchen is stocked, and the house is sparkling clean with everything we needed. We also loved the cosy fireplace, and you’ll almost definitely spot Australian wildlife like kangaroos, which makes it a great place to show Australia to visitors. Old Bara Farmhouse has a special setting, with something you just don’t get in the middle of town. The hosts were friendly and accommodating, and we can’t wait to return.

The drive to and from Mudgee took us 45 minutes, longer than suggested in the conditions we had. There are just two bathrooms, and the second is in an extension away from the three main bedrooms. Most concerning, don’t try the long dirt road in rain unless you have a 4WD. We were fortunate to make it out early, before more rain arrived and conditions worsened. We told the hosts we were leaving for our personal safety, but never heard back, and still haven’t. Terribly disappointing all round.

We had some simple pleasures in this very peaceful spot, though the house was really cold during our August stay. The upside was being able to build a nice wood fire indoors. It’s worth thinking carefully about the location if you want to be near town, because it isn’t. The road is unsealed, something to keep in mind if you’re hiring a car. It was very dry when we visited, but I noticed some crossings with yardsticks, so presumably rain can cause water to flood across the road.

Really lovely place to stay, with a great location and hosts. The road is dirt, but our 2WD sedan managed it without any trouble, so don’t let that put you off.