Yara Balba Stables

Yara Balba Stables is a 56-acre property in Mandalong, whose name means 'Gum Tree Hill' in the Darkinyung language. The term 'Stables' signifies a home for horses, a community of artists, a hub for ideas, and a place for rest and stay.

The facility operates an accredited equestrian centre, running regular training days for people with their own horses and hosting a weekly social riding group for adults. The centre features an all-weather 60m x 20m covered arena, a 70m x 50m grassed show-jump arena, a 500m grass fitness track, and a developing cross-country course. Art classes for people of all abilities are held every Thursday, covering foundation drawing, painting, screen printing, mosaics, block printing, ceramics, and working with ink. The stables have also facilitated many community art projects across the Central Coast, Hunter, and Newcastle regions, including murals, sculptures, and place-making artworks.

Located just a 90-minute drive from Sydney CBD and five minutes from Morisset near Lake Macquarie, the property is also five minutes off the M1 Motorway at the Morisset Interchange. It offers accommodation options alongside its equestrian and artistic activities.