ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS GWYDIR COUNTRY HAS IT ALL !!
HABITAT OF THE PALE HEADED ROSELLA
The Gwydir district is unique with its wide diversity of birdlife where species of the eastern hills meet birds of the western plains. The northwest slopes of the Great Dividing Range are an undulating picturesque region which includes historic travelling stock routes accessible to the public. Natural and man made watering points along the roads, lanes and trails make a pleasant environment to enjoy a drive or walk birdwatching. Bird routes guide is available from either of the tourist centres. Photo supplied by bird observers club of Australia ( 1300 305 342)
NATURAL DELIGHTS
Apple gums, locally known as the tumbledown gum, are unique to the sandstone areas of Gwydir Country. These large evergreen trees have smooth, beautiful pink to copper red bark during spring and summer. As the bark matures the hues change to grey. Branches are twisted and irregular with fluffy white flowers making a spectacular opportunity for photographers, artists and birdwatchers.
THE ROXY THEATRE
The magnificent Roxy, situated in the main street of Bingara, is a striking building. Built in 1936 by three Greek gentlemen, Emanuel Aroney, Peter Ferros and George Psaltis, The Roxy’s history is as colourful as the building itself.
Formerly operating as a cinema from 1936 to 1958, The Roxy then remained dormant and untouched for over forty five years. It was then faithfully restored to its original splendour and re-opened to the public in May 2004.
A unique aspect of the building is that it still contains the original fixtures and fittings, including the ornate stucco plaster, paintwork and coloured lights from 1936. The Premier of NSW, Bob Carr, officially re-opened The Roxy, describing it as “beautifully restored.” The Premier noted that if The Roxy “was in Sydney it would be a major architectural icon.”
Today The Roxy functions as a multi-purpose cinema and performing arts venue, with the capacity to act as a function centre for a wide variety of activities and events. Being centrally located, Bingara is the ideal location for regional meetings held in the New England north west area. The Roxy is able to cater for groups ranging from a small number of participants, up to 200 people for seminars and conferences, as well as providing audio visual and data projection equipment.
A visit to The Roxy is an unforgettable experience. Regular cinema screenings as well as a dazzling array of live performances are frequently held. Not only does the theatre embrace some of the most striking original art deco architecture in the region, but the quality and standard of performances and events will make any visit worthwhile.
The Post Office Hotel – Museum is one of Bingara’s first hotels, dating from the 1860’s. It is made of pit sawn hand-adzed cypress, fastened with wooden dowels and a puddled iron roof. Rooms have colonial pieces from the past. Photographs portray the district pioneers and their activities.
Within the complex are other buildings including a vehicle shed housing various horse drawn vehicles, as well as a blacksmith’s shop, the Boondah School and a gem and fossil collection.
‘Art in the Bush’, that’s what you’ll find at “Ceramic Break Sculpture Park”, the brain-child of bronze sculptor Kerry Cannon, located on the Fossickers Way between Bingara and Warialda.
Opened in August 2003, the park boasts three stylish galleries consistently displaying paintings and sculpture for sale from local artists and beyond. The largest of these galleries features a mezzanine with an art library where visitors can sit and relax and look through art books.
There is much to experience, including a scenic sculpture walk and a life size Allosaur skeleton! Come see for yourself!
WELLS’ GEM & MINERAL COLLECTION
The renowned Wells Gem & Mineral collection was donated to the people of the Warialda district by the Wells family who were farmers near Warialda Rail. This collection is housed in the Warialda Heritage Centre and includes rough, cut and polished stones. Prominent bark pictures and a unique round platter from India are also displayed. Fossilized plants including palm wood can be viewed and a large and interesting collection of shells is also on show.
CARINDA HOUSE
The building now known as Carinda House was built for the Crane family in around 1889. Mrs Crane, born in Warialda in 1848, was the daughter of Warialda’s first Chief Constable and Bailiff.
The slab-built main front rooms now house a community run craft shop and art gallery. There are many talented artisans in the Gwydir community and some of their work can be found at the local art and craft stores including Carinda. Visitors are welcome to wander through the unique “Stump Room” to the back courtyard.
COPETON WATERS STATE PARK
Copeton Waters State Park is a 900 hectare recreation playground which caters for everyone. The park offers a memorable day trip, weekend or holiday experience. Relax in the sapphire waters of Copeton Dam, take in unique native flora and fauna or try your hand at fossicking. Water sports enthusiasts are well catered for with large expanses of glassy water for boating, sailing or skiing. The sandy shores offer camping right up to the water’s edge. Cabins, on-site vans and grassed powered sites are also available in the camping area. The park’s amenities, including disabled facilities, are top class for all holiday makers.
Operating during the summer the twin water slides and toddlers’ pool are a must for kids of all ages. The park bunkhouse for school, social or seminar groups can sleep up to 44 people and offers kitchen facilities and its own attached amenities block with disabled facilities. Try your hand at great fishing spots. There are also fishing boats for hire, safe swimming areas, boat ramps and picnic areas. Cyclists and nature lovers can explore walking tracks while taking in the picturesque scenery.
The park also boasts a well appointed conference centre, a popular venue for small weddings, seminars, reunions and other special occasions. Other features include two adventure playgrounds, a laundromat, a kiosk with meals available, unlimited free form bush camping, gas and electric BBQs, a 6-hole golf course, tennis courts plus LPG and petrol.
Copeton Dam holds three times the volume of Sydney Harbour when at capacity and is a fisherman’s delight with species such as yellowbelly, cod, catfish, redfin and perch in plentiful supply.
ROCKY CREEK GLACIAL AREA
The Rocky Creek Glaciation is a very old area of Australia and dates back to the Carboniferous Period, that is, the time period that started 290 million years ago with the start of the Permian Period. A vast amount of weathering and erosion occurs in 220 million years, so all the original glacial landscape features have been eroded away and replaced by those typically associated with running water. Rocky Creek Glacial area is an excellent place to picnic and cool off in summer.
SAWN ROCKS
Sawn Rocks leaves an unforgettable impression on all who take the walking track. The cliff face features perpendicular pentagonal-shaped rocks, a masterpiece of nature resembling organ pipes. The phenomenon resulted from the slow cooling of the upper layers of molten rock following the fiery upheaval caused by volcanic activity 21 million years ago, and formed when molten rock within the basalt lava flow cooled slowly and, importantly, evenly. This enabled crystals within the molten rock to align perfectly with each other.
FISHING
Visiting anglers have access to some of the best freshwater fishing locations in New South Wales. Species that may be caught include Murray cod, yellowbelly (Golden Perch), rainbow trout, catfish and redfin. This fisherman’s paradise is probably one of the best kept secrets in the angling world.
FOSSICKING
The popular pastime of fossicking offers the opportunity to discover riches and, best of all, no licences are required. Gwydir Country is a rock hunter’s paradise with the opportunity to fossick for gold, garnets, agates, quartz, jasper, petrified and opalised wood and many other semi-precious gems and minerals.
WALKING TRAILS
There are many walking tracks and trails within Gwydir Country offering something for walkers of all capabilities from sedate strolls to more vigorous activity. The walks include those for nature lovers, history buffs, fitness or simply sightseeing and range in length from short easy walks to longer, more complex walks.
THE MYALL CREEK MEMORIAL
Erected in June 10, 2000 by a group of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, the memorial marks an important and terrible episode in Australian history.
On the late afternoon of June 10 1838, a group of Wirrayaraay people were murdered on the slopes below the memorial, in an unprovoked and premeditated act.
The victims (old men, women and children) had been camped, by invitation, near the station huts at Myall Creek for some weeks prior. On the day of the massacre the young men were away helping a neighbouring settler. William Hobbs, the station overseer, was absent. He and Frederick I. Foot, another landholder, subsequently reported the atrocity.
The eleven murderers were young stockmen, including one from Myall Creek Station. Ten had been transported; one leader was the son of a free settler. For months they had joined a vicious campaign against Aborigines in the lower Gwydir provoked, it was claimed, by attacks on white settlers and livestock.
The killers were able to be away from their employment for extended periods and there are reports of other massacres involving larger numbers on each side.
The Myall Creek massacre differed in that the event was reported and investigated and seven of the perpetrators were executed.
Each year on the Saturday closest to June 10 a memorial service is held and descendants of victims and perpetrators have attended to promote reconciliation.
TRAIL RIDING AND CANOEING
The trail riding is an activity suitable for either beginner or advanced riders. You can ride along the beautiful Gwydir River and swim with the horses. The Learn to ride in seven days package is very popular and includes meals and accommodation. You can hire a canoe and be driven up stream to be dropped off, so that you can relax while drifting back down stream.
Aboriginals once met at this site, located just eight kilometres east of Warialda, where Reedy Creek flows through a fascinating maze of balancing granite boulders.
A suitable stop over for coach groups; facilities include a suspension bridge, viewing platform, and native animal enclosure, picnic area with shelters, barbecues, children’s playground and toilets.
This bushland setting is popular with birdwatchers; camping is permitted and a resident caretaker provides a kiosk.
More information on the Bingara district of Gwydir Country may be found on bingara.com.au
Tourist Information Centres please contact us if your require more information on
Gwydir Country events or attractions
Gwydir Shire in conjunction with of Warialda Works, Bingara & District VISION 20/20 and Warialda Chamber of Commerce are running the Eye on the Gwydir Photography Competition
EATING OUT IN GWYDIR COUNTRY WHERE TO GO