Warialda

Warialda is an idyllic country town with some fine late nineteenth century architecture and is a thriving agricultural hub for neighbouring towns and villages. 

Surrounded by state forest and national park, majestic stands of Angophora can be seen within walking distance of the town centre, and an excellent public pool allows you to cool off at the end of the day. It is a mecca for bird watchers and naturalists. Warialda Creek, also known as Reedy Creek, flows through the town and is a great spot for checking out small birds or having a quiet walk.

Warialda is home to a number of great community events, that are mainly run by volunteers with contributions from local businesses and Gwydir Shire Council. The Honey Festival, Christmas Carnival, Pony Club, Campdraft, Races and the famous Warialda Off Road event are just some of the many draw cards to the area. The three day agricultural show in May is considered to be one of the best in the North West, and the nine hole, eighteen tee golf course is very popular with regional golfers.

The Pioneer Cemetery at the southern end of Stephen Street is a good starting point to explore Warialda’s historical sites. The cemetery contains graves dating back to the 1850s, and there are massive memorials to the Scott family of Bogamildi which show how much money was to be made out of sheep in those far off days. Many headstones have vanished, but a comprehensive list is on display, and there are some fine smooth barked apple trees in the vicinity.

The modern Anglican Church on Stewart Avenue is home to a historic font, commemorating the medical pioneer Sister Elizabeth Kenney who was baptised in the old church on Gwydir Highway in 1880. St. Patrick’s Church and the attached convent also on the Gwydir Highway were built in 1904, allowing students to board with the sisters whilst attending school in the town.

Significantly the Presbyterian Church and manse are found on Stephen Street on the northern side of Warialda Creek where the big landholdings were dominated by families of Scottish descent. The manse reused sandstone from the original courthouse, and prisoner graffiti is said to be still visible. Today, the oldest sandstone building in the town is Mott’s Butchery which was built in 1888 and is located on Hope Street.

The business precinct further east of Hope Street is also worth a visit with the exterior of the Royal Hotel still looking much as it did in the 1900s. The Soldiers Memorial Hall built in 1929 after a massive fire wiped out most of the street, is a very late example of classical architecture, and includes impressive commemorations to servicemen from both world wars. Next door, Critharys Building was constructed by an immigrant from the Greek island of Kythera in 1928, and housed the family-run ‘Crithary’s Tea Rooms.

Across the street, the present Warialda Post Office dates from 1880 and contains memorabilia from the courthouse. Just around the corner on Stephen Street, the Warialda Courthouse is the third one to be built in the town – clearly there was a demand! Constructed in 1883, designed by government architect James Barnet, and built for a cost of £2,650.

Carinda House further south, built in 1880, is a good example of domestic architecture. It is now a volunteer-run tribute to Warialda’s history with historical displays and sales of local arts, crafts, baking and preserves.