Nestled amidst the fertile black soil plains of the Upper Namoi Valley, the township of Gunnedah is a bustling and progressive country town with a population of 9,500. Gunnedah is the Koala Capital of the World. The district is blessed with one of the largest and healthiest Koala populations West of the Great Divide. Koalas often are seen sauntering from tree to tree or even crossing the main street! A visit to the Waterways Wildlife Park allows visitors an even closer encounter with koalas and other native fauna. Gunnedah’s agricultural foundation is reinforced each August when 100,000 visitors flock to the town for Ag-Quip, the largest agricultural field days in the Southern Hemisphere, while the district’s rich rural heritage is preserved in the vast collection of equipment at The Rural Museum. The variety of crops and pastures responding to the ever-changing seasons provide an infinite array of living colours. This beauty of “a land of sweeping plains” inspired Gunnedah’s favourite visitor, Dorothea Mackellar in much of her poetry and prose. Visitors to Gunnedah are always pleasantly surprised with the diversity of attractions and events including Lake Keepit State Park, bushwalking, sightseeing and tours.
Category: New South Wales
Myall Vale
Myall Vale an area situated on the Wee Waa Road between Narrabri and Wee Waa.(approx 14kms from Narrabri) Home to CSIRO Cotton Research Station & Department of Agriculture.
Walcha
Walcha is located at the crosroads of the Thunderbolts and Oxley Highways. The Thunderbolts Way is a very scenic and much shorter road to take than the Pacific or New England Highways, when travelling north or south in from Raymond Terrace or Uralla. It saves a bout 1 hours drive time than the New England Highway. Walcha is fast becoming a destination for people wishing to escape the fast pace of city living, and offers an abundant array of activities for the whole family to enjoy. There are farm stays, B&B’s, great pubs, motels and a 4 star caravan park. Tour guides are available into the oxley wild rivers gorge country.4WDing,fishing,motorcycling, mountain biking, and bushwalking are just some of the adventures on offer. The Oxley Wild Rivers, Werrikimbi, Carrai, Cottan-bimbang, Nowendoc and Mummel Gulf National Parks are a few of these natural attractions that can be visited. They offer free camping, great newly updated facilities, and Apsley and Tia Waterfalls offer access for Caravans. Be sure to stop in and pick up a brochure at the WaLcha Visitor Information Centre. Enquire about access into the bottom of one of Australias largest and deepest gorge systems, into either ‘Riverside’ or ‘Youdales Hut’. Walcha also is internationally known for its public artwork. There are 27 scultpures that can be found around this very picturesque and tidy town. Pick up a brochure from the Visitor Information Centre. Regional NSW is showcased in Walcha township with very friendly hospitality, great food and coffee, a fantastic pioneer cottage museum, and some excellent shops for loccally produced art and timber products. For an information package to be sent to you, call 02 6774 2460 and come up to Walcha “Where Wild Rivers Run”.
Pearl Beach
Pearl Beach is the perfect quiet getaway for those who love to swim, go bushwalking, try rock fishing and relax with a coffee by the beach. Just 90 minutes drive north from Sydney, Pearl Beach still retains a sense of peace and seclusion away from its busy neighbourhood on the Central Coast. The small village, with just a few shops, cafes and houses tucked into the bush, is popular because of its bushland setting – Brisbane Waters National Park is nearby – and the beautiful sweep of surfing beach. A native flora sanctuary behind the beach has grassed areas, wetlands and thickets of rainforest with easy walking trails to follow. Pearl Beach also has some great spots for viewing out across Broken Bay to Palm Beach, Lion Island and Kuringai Chase National Park. For more information – www.pearl-beach.com
Queanbeyan
The site of gold, silver and lead mining in the mid-19th Century, Queanbeyan’s population has grown from just under 400 at that time to close to 30,000 today. However, this hub of Capital Country has lost none of its small-town charm. Visit in November to experience the annual Queanbeyan show. Or pay a visit to the Queanbeyan Conference Centre at any time of year and examine the memorabilia and photographs in the Sporting Gallery. Take a steam-train ride out of town or enjoy the picnicking and watersports at Googong Dam.
Bribbaree
Visit Bribbaree for an authentic taste of Country Australia. Bribbaree is located 50km’s west of Young. Visit the Railway Hotel at Bribbaree and meet some of the locals.
Goorianawa
Goorianawa is a small locality about 40 km northwest from Coonabarabran. Population nominal.
Gooloogong
The village of Gooloogong is located 34 kilometres north-west of Cowra enroute to Forbes and Parkes. The road to Gooloogong follows the curves of the Lachlan River, and the village itself is on the banks of the river. The village features a unique log cabin community hall, built in 1937 by Hugh Heavener in preparation for a planned project on the Lachlan River and an influx of workers, in need of entertainment. Alas the project went to Jemalong after the war. The village also features a hotel, service station, general store, cafe and several other businesses.
Wellington
One of the major rural hubs found west of the Blue Mountains, Wellington is a classic New South Wales country town where the wide main street is its centrepiece, closely followed by the immaculate Cameron Park with its many monuments. However, you can’t go past Wellington Caves for overwhelming natural wonder. The district is also excellent and well equipped for horse riding.
Carlingford
Carlingford is located approximately 15 kilometres northwest of Sydney in the Shire of Baulkham Hills. The original inhabitants of the Carlingford area were the Darug people. The Darug were the custodians of the majority of what is now the Greater Sydney region. They were divided into a number of different ‘clans’, whose quick demise upon European settlement has sadly resulted in very little information remaining on how they utilised the local area. In the early years of European settlement the area was known as Mobbs Hill after William Mobbs an early settler. Carlingford probably received its name to honour Lord Carlingford who was Under-secretary of State for the Colonies from 1857 to 1860. His title is associated with the town of Carlingford in Ireland. The name was suggested by Frederick Cox who heard one of his employees describe the similarities between Mobbs Hill and the scenery of Carlingford in Ireland. Residents voted for the name in 1886. Carlingford is an attractive suburban destination comprising two shopping centres, restaurants, a variety of accommodation and it is located within easy reach of the city via the M2 Motorway. The town also has a railway station and bus networks providing access to the city and Parramatta. Towns surrounding Carlingford include: Epping, North Parramatta, North Rocks, Oatlands and West Pennant Hills. Visitor Information: Sydney Hills Visitor Centre 656A Old Northern Road, Dural (02) 9651 4411 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sydneyhills.com.au