On the way to Emu Lake Campground we stopped at the Kinchega Woolshed, the old shearing shed of Kinchega Station, and had a quick look around. Everything was just open, and you could walk in and see the museum. We were the only ones there, which made it feel a little bit eerie.
About the Kinchega WoolshedAbout
The Woolshed was built in 1875 of corrugated iron and river red gum, and it’s a vast, well-preserved piece of Australian pastoral history. According to NSW National Parks, six million sheep were shorn here in 97 years of operation. That’s hard to picture when you stand in the quiet shed today.
The Kinchega Visitor Centre is at the same address. It’s unstaffed and always open, so it works on self-service.
Quick facts
- AddressKinchega Woolshed, Woolshed Drive, Kinchega National Park, NSW, AustraliaSee on the trip map →
- FacilitiesParkingToiletsPicnic ShelterVisitor CentreNo Drinking Water
- Good to knowOpen to walk inTours in school holidaysNext to Emu Lake camp
- Fees$8 per vehicle per day park entry
- 8.1/10Overall rated
Getting There
From the park entrance, follow Woolshed Drive. The sign at the turn-off shows the Historic Woolshed 5 km on, with information and toilets, and the River Drive campsites in the other direction. The roads in the park are unsealed and close in heavy rain, so check the road board at the entrance first.
Inside the Woolshed
Inside, red gum posts hold up the corrugated iron roof, with skylights letting the daylight in. You’ll see the old wool presses and machinery, with information boards explaining how the shed worked. Further in are old wagons and a red buggy. NSW National Parks says the machinery room still has the original steam engine, along with the sweating pens and the board where the sheep were shorn.
Around the Woolshed
Outside, a rusty steam engine sits beside a windmill, and a couple of kangaroos watched us from the scrub near the car park. Next door are the Shearers’ Quarters, a row of simple weatherboard buildings. NSW National Parks says they have bore water and hot showers for campers at nearby Emu Lake.
Summary
The Kinchega Woolshed is a quick, interesting stop on the way to Emu Lake Campground, and it’s covered by park entry. Everything is open, so you can wander through at your own pace. The rest of the park is in our Kinchega National Park guide.
A big, well-kept piece of outback history that you can walk straight into.
We only had a quick look, and with nobody else there it felt a little eerie, but it’s free with park entry and right beside Emu Lake Campground.
- Travellers
- Families
- Day trips
Yes. It’s covered by the $8 park entry, and it’s on the way to Emu Lake Campground, so it costs you little more than a short stop.
Recommended Gear for the Kinchega Woolshed
There’s no drinking water at the Woolshed, so bring your own in good water containers. Our Hema Outback New South Wales map covers Kinchega and the roads in, a pair of binoculars is handy for the kangaroos and emus around the park, and the San Hima jump starter and air compressor gets your tyres back up after the gravel.
