Bellata, New South Wales

Bellata (postcode 2397) is a small village in north-central New South Wales, Australia, in Narrabri Shire. At the 2006 census, Bellata had a population of 529.^[1] The place name Bellata could be derived from the local Aboriginal word meaning "kangaroo" or possibly "home of belar trees".^[2]

Overview

It is 47 kilometres (29 mi) north of Narrabri, around halfway between Narrabri and Moree when travelling along the Newell Highway. The town's area is known for its array of mineral deposits, and fossickers will find high quality agate, jasper, carnelian, petrified opal and petrified wood in the vicinity. It is also a rich agricultural region - the area is known for some of the best "primehard" wheat in Australia. There is a large array of grain storage facilities in the town.

The Nandewar Inn Hotel in the town was a two storey hotel built in 1902; it was destroyed by fire in April 2006 . Bellata also has a police station, primary school, nine-hole sand green golf course, tennis courts, Anglican and Catholic churches, a memorial hall, roadhouse, caravan park and several community groups.

Railway station

Bellata railway station is situated on the Mungindi, or North West railway line, 615 kilometres (382 mi) from Sydney. The station opened in 1897 as Woolabra however was renamed Bellata in 1909. It consists of a platform and unstaffed basic passenger waiting shed, and is currently served by a single daily Xplorer diesel railmotor between Moree and Sydney in the morning and by another Xplorer heading in the opposite direction to Moree in the evening.^[3]

The Station is an optional stop and has a low standard of facilities (The station consists of a platform and a simple metal shelter) ^[4] so sometimes trains do not stop at all.

Woolabra Post Office opened on 1 September 1899 and was renamed Bellata in 1909.^[5]

References