Joe and Jacinda Barry and family love having grey nomads stay. PIC: deguest photography
As they travel through regional Australia, most grey nomads become keenly aware of the difference they can make to struggling rural communities.
While much focus is placed on the economic benefits that the ‘grey dollar’ can bring, sometimes the practical – and even emotional – support, travellers offer is just as valuable. Just ask Jacinda and Joe Barry, the owners of Carinya Station near Lightning Ridge in remote Outback New South Wales.
The young couple, who have two young boys, bought their sprawling 6,600 acre property in 2012 after back-to-back floods when the native flora was stunning and the birdlife was prolific. However, the worst drought in living memory followed and years with little or no rain took its toll. Grasses died and disappeared, and the couple cut scrub to feed the cattle to keep them alive. Eventually they had to sell them all.
The couple freely admits it was an awful period but things are now looking a lot brighter. With Joe and Jacinda forced to go off the station to work, they made the decision to open up their property to grey nomads and other travellers … and now the sheep station is constantly filled with life and laughter and love.
They don’t charge people to stay and expect nothing in return, but they have found no shortage of volunteers who will do anything they can to help around the place. Willing hands eagerly do jobs including, but not restricted to, feeding and collecting eggs from 200 chooks, watering animals, watering the gardens, folding washing, doing housework, cooking, feeding the dogs, pigs and cat … and fixing the odd leaking pipe or tap.
“We’re pretty isolated out here and I can’t tell you the impact having people around you whose only motive is to be friendly and give you a hand has had on our life,” said Jacinda. “Once people have been here a day or so they take ownership and pride in what goes on.”
The station commonly hosts seven or eight different camps and most people stay for five or six days and even longer. “Having guests to help us out is bloody amazing,” said Jacinda. “And we’ll never charge … you can’t put a price tag on the help and friendships we have made, and charging people would ruin it.”
While she concedes it is a hard life, and that they will have to work ‘off farm’ for the foreseeable future to make ends meet, Jacinda wouldn’t have it any other way.
“This is our decision and we don’t want pity,” she said. “It’s our lifestyle and we believe it’s the best way to raise our kids.”
Grey nomads Gloria and Daryl Whitfield from Victoria are among those who have been blown away by the warmth of the welcome they received at Carinya Station. Besides working alongside new friends, they also enjoyed communal camp oven cook-ups and singalongs around the campfire.
“We were just one big family and it was an amazing experience… the highlight of our trip,” said Gloria. “Everyone comes away with a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that they have helped a young couple who were struggling before.”
* Do you think you have made a positive difference while travelling remote areas of Australia? Comment below.
Sounds fantastic, would love to come for a visit.
will save this post and hopefully see you sometime next year.sy
Great story we will come vist, help out where we can been on farms all my life ,not as big as your home looking forward to meeting you all .
John and cindy
What a wonderful story. There is nothing like being able to help another in need with genuine love. To lift others up when things are not so good does something special for those that do this. If you have never experienced it just give it a try.
What a great story I’d love to pull up there for a while, I’ve done farm work out at Moree for a few years & can turn my hand to almost anything although I’m a trucky by trade but I love the farm lifestyle!! I’d love to supply some free labour!! I’ve got a mate that lives out there with a couple of opal mines that I was going to pop in & see soon anyway!
Jacinta and Jo are the most welcoming host you could ask for. There are no expectations from this couple at all, even though Jacinta jokes, she’ll let down your tyres and chain you to the property if she find out you have a trade. You can find them on Facebook under Carinya Station. It is also on wikicamps. Once you get there you don’t want to leave. My two day stay ended up being 7.
Next time we are out that way we will stay at Carinya Station.
I am a farmers daughter and I know what being ‘ alone’ is like, and it only takes a smile and some friendship to make a very big difference. I look back and would not change my childhood on a rural property for anything… except for the endless struggle with the weather.
Good Luck til I get there..
We have stayed their for 10 days and it was no most amazing experience we had on all our travels
We really did have the top experience of our trip!
Totally fallen in love with this beautiful family, cannot wait to return next year.
We loved our short stay at Carinya Station and can’t wait to get back there. Wonderful people!
sounds like one and all are enjoying this place so later this year will be on our stop list
My friend Sheila has just spent a couple weeks here and loved it , I will get there when I take off that way
On my bucket list!
We would love to help any family who need a bit of support! Next year we will do it!
As a young family that feeling of isolation is extremely tough and to have all these new friends as ‘Nanna’s & Grandpa’s’ for a couple of days for their children & a Mum & Dad for themselves does more than any amount of money could possibly do. It’s a Win-Win for everyone, such a wonderful story!! ❤️
We have enjoyed the experience for over 4weeks now & to say its been the absolute best woud be an understatement. Truely a fantastic family who make you feel so very welcome. Anyone who is thinking of a farm stay put Carinya Station on your list….you won’t be disappointed. It has been the best ever experience…hope to return