Warialda Tourist Office

The new Warialda Visitor Centre has opened its doors!

The Warialda Visitor Information Centre opened its doors to the public on Tuesday 9th March 2010. In the first 5 days we received 50 visitors through the doors, compared to only 19 in the same week of March 2009. All the visitors commented on the great location and facilities, and were impressed by the plans the Centre has for displaying and selling local products and artworks.

Council is negotiating with the RTA to construct the new Warialda Town Entry Signs from the same material.  The Chamber of Commerce was successful in obtaining $5000 funding to contribute to the cost of town signage.

The garden at the front of the Centre now has the feature sandstone rocks in place, the sandstone retaining wall around the perimeter and the bus shelter are under construction and consultation is continuing regarding local native plants to go in the garden.

The Wells’ gem and mineral collection has been reorganised, the Warialda Historical Society have set up their historical display, the Meeting Room table constructed by Colin Mawer is a talking point and kitchen and eating area has proven valuable for many discussions with locals who will be showcasing their products in the Centre. Many locals have already dropped in to have a look around and are very pleased and happy that such a wonderful thing has happened for the town of Warialda. The meeting room has already been utilised for the Tourism Committee and the Visitor Centre volunteers, with the room functioning well. All are welcome to come down for a browse and a chat.

Day Trips Sub Committee

A sub committee of the Warialda Tourism Committee has been formed to develop and liaise with major bus companies who regularly run tours through Warialda, but do not stop to see what the town has to offer. Major attractions that the sub committee will be marketing include a guided town tour, Carinda House, the new Visitor Information Centre, Poison Anvil, Cranky Rock and Ceramic Break Sculpture Park. It is also envisioned that if catering is required, it will be supplied by local business houses. Suggestions are welcome, as the project is still in the development stage.
Warialda Bird Watching Group

Trakmaster Off Road Caravan Club Day Trip

Sunday 18th October 2009, 100 members of the Trakmaster Off Road Caravan Club enjoyed a day of touring Ceramic Break Sculpture Park, a demonstration by local blacksmith Ashley Sutton at Poison Anvil, a tour of the township of Warialda with a focus on its historical buildings, and lunch and wine tasting at Thomas New England Estate Wines near Delungra. When the group arrived at Ceramic Break, Kerry Cannon, the owner and sculptor, introduced them to the park and gave a brief history and then talked about the different areas to the park. The group then split up, some doing the Ceramic Break walk, other to the Pink Gazebo and the three galleries. Morning tea was provided by the Warialda CWA ladies with a yummy selection of cakes and slices available. Everyone hopped back on the bus to head to Warialda.
On the way the four guides – one on each bus – talked about the area, the two towns of Bingara and Warialda, Allan Cunningham’s exploration and many other bits and pieces. Through Warialda Rail the group got a quick run down on the bustling village that it was when the rail was operating, and a glimpse of the trucks that now take its place to cart the grain.

The group then split, with half going to Ashley Sutton’s Poison Anvil for a fascinating demonstration, where Ashley made a bull’s head hat rack in less than half an hour and a browse through all the interesting pieces in the Posion Anvil Shed.

The other half were sent off in the capable hands of Carmel Gobbert and Fay Cains to explore the township of Warialda. This was well received by the whole group, who especially appreciated learning from locals about the town and what it has to offer for those considering moving into the area. It was back into the bus again, headed for New England Estate Wines and a scrumptious lunch of salads and roast lamb. The group enjoyed some wine tasting and a browse around the gift shop and ice creamery.

The weather was fantastic, they day ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all. Special thanks to Bilsborough’s for providing four fantastic bus drivers, Kerry and Nerida at Ceramic Break, the Warialda CWA, Ashley Sutton and his helpers at Poison Anvil, Carmel Gobbert, Fay Cains, the Thomas family at the Winery and their helpers, Gwydir Shire Council and the 100 lovely people who thoroughly enjoyed the time they spent in the Gwydir area.
The Warialda Tourism Committee offers guided tours to any group interested in exploring the Warialda area. They are also currently looking into the possibility of including a tour of Warialda in the itineraries of several large bus companies who often pass through the town without stopping. If you would like to get involved or have any suggestions about the tours, please contact the Warialda Visitor Information Centre on (02) 6729 0046.

Warialda Bird Watching
The Warialda Birdwatchers have been meeting monthly since October last year, participating in outings to the Warialda Creek, Cranky Rock, Killarney Gap Road, Barraba and Whitlow Road. At the 15 March meeting at Whitlow Road, 7 people participated in spotting 18 species. The Eastern Rosella was chosen as the Bird of the Day.

If you are interested in getting involved in the birdwatching group, contact the Visitor Centre on (02) 6729 0046.

Visitor Centre Volunteers
As of the end of November, approximately 20 members of the public in Warialda have expressed their interest in volunteering at the new Visitor Centre. If you would like to be a volunteer please contact Sara or Mandy at the Warialda Visitors Information Centre or phone (02) 6729 0046