Small rural town in the NSW Northern Tablelands.
Bonalbo and Old Bonalbo are two small rural towns on the NSW Northern Tablelands. Their appeal lies in their unspoilt bushland surroundings in the Upper Clarence River Valley. The district is an ideal spot for fishing, swimming, canoeing, birdwatching and camping. The town is a service centre for the surrounding beef cattle, hardwood timber, soybean and olive growers and farmers.
Location
Bonalbo is located 761 km north of Sydney via the New England Highway and the Bruxner Highway. It lies 98 km east of Tenterfield and 69 km west of Casino.
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Origin of Name
The district surrounding Bonalbo was inhabited by the Gidabal, a dialect group of the Bundajalung people, prior to the arrival of Europeans and it is from their language that the town's name, 'bunawalbu' meaning 'bloodwood tree', is derived.
^ TOPThings to See and Do
Yabbra State Forest and Bean Creek Falls
The highlight of the area is the drive through the Yabbra State Forest which has some of the most beautiful eucalypt scenery, combined with the glorious sounds of bellbirds ringing in the canopy, that you will find anywhere on the north coast. There are rainforest walks designated starting from the road. A bonus of this drive north to Urbenville is the clearly signposted Bean Creek Falls. They are located 700 metres down a dirt track. There is a small parking area near the falls. The falls are a sacred Gidabal place and the viewing platform is located down a short track.
Bird watching
The district is known for its remarkable diversity of wildlife. Bird watchers can expect to see bowerbirds, brush turkeys, honeyeaters, lorikeets, owls, wedge-tailed and white breasted sea eagles, and waterbirds including the jabiru, black swan, pelican and spoonbill. In autumn there are black cockatoos; in spring dollar birds, channel-billed cuckoos and spangled drongos; and, in summer, king parrots. There is a list of the birds that can be seen in the district at http://www.bonalbo.com.au/index_files/Page337.htm
History
* Before European settlement the Gidabal people, a dialect group of the Bundajalung, lived for tens of thousands of years in the district.
* The first European settler in the area was John Donald McLean, a Scots settler from the Isle of Skye who, in 1841 only four years after arriving in Sydney, drove sheep from the Hunter Valley to the Bonalbo district where he established the 'Bunalbo' or Duck Creek run. In 1848 he moved to the Darling Downs where he became a prosperous pastoralist. In 1853 he sold Bunalbo to the Robertson family who built Bonalbo homestead (c.1862). By 1868 he had interests in more than fifty properties. In 1866 he became treasurer of Queensland.
* A Donald McLean (no relation), who worked for John Donald McLean, took up land in the district in the late 1840s. In 1887 he took ownership of part of the old Bunalbo station.
* In 1887 another Scot named Donald, Donald McIntyre, took up a section of the old Bunalbo station but by the 1890s, as a result of a national depression, he sold out to Paddy McNamee. The town of Bonalbo slowly grew on the banks of Peacock Creek, and in 1911 land was purchased from McNamee and a number of buildings (some built and owned by McNamee) formed the basis of the town. There was a butcher's shop, hotel, billiard hall, post office, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (not surprising given the number of Scots in the valley), a school, a boarding house, a blacksmith's, a bank, a general store and a butter factory.
* By the 1880s cedar cutters had moved into the valley.
* By 1910 there were about 100 selectors in the district. The land was difficult being densely timbered and with no proper roads. The selectors tended to engage in mixed farming with a mixture of beef cattle, dairying and pig-raising.
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Information can be had at the Bonalbo Newsagency/Store, tel: (02) 6665 1118, or 11 km north at the Old Bonalbo Information and Resources Centre, tel: (02) 6665 3133. They can advise as to the best spots for fishing, swimming, canoeing, bird watching, bush walking and camping.
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Useful Websites
There is an interesting commercial website on the district - check out http://www.bigvolcano.com.au/places/bonalbo.htm
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Very disappointed on the 19 March 2016 to try and visit the well signposted Bean Falls after driving down the recently slashed track for 700m to find nowhere to park safely without blocking the small turning circle, what appeared to be an old concrete double pit, uncovered and dangerous if one should park a vehicle and not notice it. The track to the falls was marked but so overgrown in waist high weeds we did not attempt it. Beautiful scenery driving towards Woodenbong but sadly nowhere to pull off a very narrow road to take photo or admire the view or tall ghost gums. Lucky to catch a coffee shop still open in Kyogle but closed at 3.00pm. To promote tourism things need to improve.
I am sorry to hear that, Valerie. As you can see, when I visited I had no trouble making it down the track and taking a photo of the Bean Falls. This was in May, 2013. I guess this is more a comment on the state government’s refusal to fund properly the people who maintain these unique natural wonders. I am sure if we could find the person who maintains the road and the track they would rail against the lack of funds.
I want historical photos of Bonalbo’s first homes built around 1925. I am trying to get the history of the house at 7 Sandilands Street, Bonalbo. Please help me.
There were photos taken of Mrs Norman Johnstons rental house at the bottom of Sandilands Street in the 1954 flood. Some properties burnt in the fire of 1956 as well.
Cheers
Robert
Denise, Did you get history of 7 Sandilands St, Cheers.
What is the elevation, rainfall and temperature variants? Thanks
Hi I am visiting Bonalbo for a short stay near the hospital can you please advise if there is any wifi or best way to access internet in the area as I’ll require it for study online ?
I am interested in knowing the origin of the naming of Sandilands Street if anyone can help thanks
Great information thank you
I recently spent a night in Bonalbo and was captivated by this charming scenic village. This is a real typical Australian bush town with a strong sense of community. I loved seeing the chooks and roosters that roamed around the street near where I was staying. I cannot wait to return!