Bendeela Recreation Area

Bendeela is a wide, grassy flat on the Kangaroo River arm of Lake Yarrunga, out of the village on Bendeela Road. WaterNSW runs it. There is no entry fee, there are toilets, and the tap water is treated to drinking quality.

Most people come for the wombats, and they are not being optimistic. WaterNSW says on its own page that there are plenty of wombats in the area, and asks visitors to stay five metres back and not to feed, chase or touch them. Some of the population carries mange and there is an ongoing treatment program, so a wombat that looks rough is being dealt with rather than ignored.

Dusk is the hour that matters. That makes winter the easy season here, because the light goes before six rather than after eight, and you can watch for half an hour without committing your whole evening.

Two things to know before you load the car. There are no wood or charcoal fires, gas only, with a stated penalty of up to $5,500. And no pets of any kind are allowed, which rules Bendeela out entirely if the dog is in the back.