Warialda
Warialda is a village (population 1,590 in 2016) in the New England region in New South Wales, Australia.
Understand
The name of the village comes from the Weraerai Aboriginal word for 'Place of the Wild Honey'. The European explorer Allan Cunningham passed through the district in 1827. Settlement of the site began in 1837, with a Border Police outpost established in 1840. Warialda was the main centre of the old Yallaroi Shire from 1906 until its merger with the Bingara Shire in 2004. Mixed farming is the main industry of the district. Warialda is in the Gwydir Shire Local Government Area.
Map of Warialda
Tourist information centres
- 1 Warialda Visitor Information Centre, 2/4 Geddes Street (corner Geddes Street (Gwydir Highway) and Holden Street), ☏ +61 2 6729 0046. M-F 9AM-12:30PM, 1:30-4:30PM, Sa Su 9AM-1PM. Services NSW agent on Tu W F
Get in
By car
Warialda is at the junction of the Gwydir Highway/B76 and the Allan Cunningham Road-Warialda Road/B95.
Warialda is 62 km north-west of Inverell via the Gwydir Highway and Delungra, and it is 80 km east of Moree via the Gwydir Highway.
Warialda is 193 km north of Tamworth via Fossickers Way/Allan Cunningham Road (B95) via Manilla, Barraba, and Bingara, and it is 83 km south from Yetman via the Warialda Road (B95).
Warialda is 186 km north-west of Armidale via Bundarra, Thunderbolts Way, Inverell, turn left onto Gwydir Highway, and through Delungra.
Driver rest areas
East (to/from Inverell)
- 2 Tigers Gap (6 km south-east of Warialda on the Gwydir Highway, westbound). Light vehicle access. Heavy vehicle access. Picnic tables. Shelter. Litter bins. No toilets.
- 3 Kooligur Nature Reserve (2 km south-east of Warialda on the Gwydir Highway (B76), westbound). Light vehicle access. Picnic tables. Shelter. No litter bins. No toilets.
- 4 Warialda Saleyards (on the Gwydir Highway (B76), outskirts of Warialda, eastbound). Light vehicle access. Shelter. Litter bins. Toilets.
West (to/from Moree)
- 5 Apex Park (on the Gwydir Highway next to the swimming pool, westbound). Light vehicle access. Heavy vehicle access. Toilets. Picnic tables. Barbecue facilities. Playground. Shelter. Litter bins.
- 6 Nancy Coulton Lookout (11 km west of Warialda on the Gwydir Highway (B76), westbound). Light vehicle access. Heavy vehicle access. Picnic tables. Shelter. Litter bins. No toilets.
South (to/from Bingara)
- 7 Ti Tree Creek (11 km south of Warialda on Allan Cunningham Road (B95) (near Warialda Rail), northbound). Light vehicle access. Picnic tables. Wheelchair accessible. Shelter. Litterbins. No toilets.
By coach
Tamworth-Inverell route
A NSW Trainlink coach service runs between Inverell and Tamworth to catch the long-distance trains at Tamworth. Coaches stop at the coach stop at the Warialda Visitors Information Centre.
The northbound service (Route 311) departs Tamworth W-M at 3:55PM, arrives at Bingara at 17:53PM, arrives at Warialda at 6:27PM, and arrives at Inverell at 7:15PM. The southbound service (Route 312) departs Inverell W-M at 6:30AM, arrives at Warialda at 7:20AM, arrives at Bingara at 7:58AM, and arrives at Tamworth at 10:06AM.
A map and timetable can be downloaded here.
Bookings are essential - Coach drivers do not take payment or offer reservations.
Grafton-Moree route
A NSW Trainlink coach service runs between Grafton and Moree. Coaches stop at the coach stop at the Warialda Visitor Information Centre.
The eastbound service (Route 142) departs Moree M W F at 10:55AM, arrives at Warialda at 12:10PM, arrives at Inverell at 12:55PM and departs at 1:40PM, arrives at Glen Innes at 2:36PM, and arrives at Grafton at 4:40PM. The westbound service (Route 141) departs Grafton Tu Th Sa at 10:20 AM, arrives at Glen Innes at 12:25PM, arrives at Inverell at 1:15PM and departs 2:15PM, arrives at Warialda at 3:00PM, and arrives at Moree at 4:10PM. Note the alternating direction of travel on alternating days, and no services on a Sunday
A map and timetable can be downloaded here.
Bookings are essential - Coach drivers do not take payment or offer reservations.
Bookings and stops
- NSW Trainlink - regular bookings, ☏ +61 13 22 32. Daily 7AM-10PM.
- NSW Trainlink - multi-trip and Discovery Pass, ☏ +61 13 22 32. Daily 7AM-10PM.
- Tamworth (Railway Station), Marius Street, ☏ +61 13 22 32. Daily 8:30AM-4:30 PM.
- 8 Bingara - coach stop (Court house), corner of Maitland Street and Finch Street, ☏ +61 2 6724 1500. Bookings are made at the Bingara Newsagency
- 9 Bingara - bookings (Bingara Newsagency), 60 Maitland Street, ☏ +61 2 6724 1500. M-F 8:30AM-3:30 PM. The coach does not stop here - it stops 160 m north near the old court house, corner of Maitland Street and Finch Street.
- Inverell (Windsong Travel), 45 Byron Street (between Subway and Imperial Hotel), ☏ +61 2 6722 3011. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-noon. The coach does not stop here - it stops at the Inverell Visitor Information Centre (Transit Centre), 11-31 Campbell Street.
- Grafton (Railway Station), 23 Through Street (corner Through Street and Crisp Avenue, South Grafton), ☏ +61 13 22 32. M-F 4AM-9PM, 9:30PM-1:30AM Sa Su Public holidays 4AM-noon, 1:30-9PM, 9:30PM-1:30AM.
- Grafton (Grafton Travel Agency), 48 Prince Street (next to Grafton Fast Photos), ☏ +61 2 6642 3777. M-F 8:45AM-5PM, Sa 8:45AM-noon. The coach does not stop here - it stops at the railway station.
- Moree (Railway Station), Gosport Street, Moree, ☏ +61 2 6750 7161. M-F 7AM-11AM. Parking in Gosport Street (cross over Newell Highway to get to the station) or directly behind the station in Morton Street.
- M & G Travel, 66 Balo Street, Moree, ☏ +61 2 6750 7161. M-F 9AM-5PM. The coach does not stop here - it stops at the railway station.
- 10 Warialda - coach stop (Warialda Visitor Information Centre) (corner of Geddes Street (Gwydir Highway) and Holden Street). Bookings are not made here. Bookings are made at the Warialda Newsagency.
- 11 Warialda - bookings (Warialda Newsagency), 58-60 Hope Street (opposite the post office), ☏ +61 2 6729 1049. M-F 8AM-5:30PM, Sa Su 8AM-noon. The coach does not stop here - it stops at the Tourist Information Centre at the corner of Geddes Street and Holden Street
By plane
The nearest airports with regular scheduled flights are at Inverell (through Link Airways) and Moree.
Get around
Private transport is essential, as there is neither a taxi service or a local bus service.
The nearest car rental agencies are in Inverell and Moree.
See
In and near town
- 1 Carinda House, 15 Stephen Street (next Civic Cafe). M-F 10AM-2PM. Sa 9AM-noon. Fine example of a 19th-century pioneer's house. Local hand-made arts and crafts, jams, baking, souvenirs.
- 2 Kooligur Nature Reserve (2 km south-east of Warialda on the Gwydir Highway, westbound). Easy bushwalking trails
- 3 Warialda Wombats Monument, Holden Street (sports ground, next to the caravan park). Monument commemorates the contribution of the local football team to the Australian Rugby League.
- 4 Wells Gem & Mineral Collection (Warialda Visitor Information Centre), 2/4 Geddes Street (corner Geddes Street (Gwydir Highway) and Holden Street), ☏ +61 2 6729 0046. M-F 9AM-12:30PM, 1:30-4:30PM, Sa Su 9AM-1PM. Collection of fossils, shells, minerals and gemstones
Out of town
East
- 5 Cranky Rock Recreation Reserve, Cranky Rock Road (12 km east of Warialda via Gwydir Highway (B76), turn left into Cranky Rock Road), ☏ +61 2 6729 1402. Interesting natural piles of granite boulders. Kiosk, caretaker on site. Picnic area, shelter, barbecue facilities. Campground with powered/unpowered sites and hot showers - phone caretaker for availability, see website for rates.
- 6 Myall Creek Massacre Memorial Site (47 km south-east of Warialda ,Gwydir Highway (B76), Delungra, turn right onto Bingara Road). Location of massacre of local Wirrayaraay people - the first time white settlers were punished for murdering Aboriginals, 1838. Listen to the Myall Creek Soundtrail here (also available as an app).
South
- 7 Ceramic Break Sculpture Park (14 km south of Warialda via Allan Cunningham Road/B95, on the right), ☏ +61 2 6729 4147, kerry@cbreaksculpturepark.com.au. Th-Su 10AM-5PM March to mid-December. Other times by appointment. Park may be closed if too wet. $5 adults, $1 under 15.
West
- 8 Ezzy's Crossing Public Recreation Reserive (24 km west of Warialda via Gwydir Highway (B76), turn right onto the dirt track just before the Gwydir River bridge). Historically important rail bridge. Water activities, camping, birdwatching, wildlife watching.
North
- 9 Kwiambal National Park, Limestone Road (72 km north-east of Warialda via Warialda Road, turn right at Coolatai onto Coolatai Road, turn right onto Yetman Road, turn left onto Wallangra Road, turn left onto Sandy Creek Road, turn left onto Limestone Road), ☏ +61 1300 072 757, parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au. Toilets. Picnic tables. Barbecue facilities. Potable water. Bushwalking trails - Dungeon Lookout, Junction Walk, Macintyre Falls Lookout, Limestone Caves Walking Track, Slippery Rock Walking Track. Accommodation and camping - see website for further information and bookings. Free entry.
- 10 The Bikini Tree (3.8 km north of Warialda on Warialda Road (B95) on the right-hand side, best viewed looking southbound). A local teacher enhanced the natural bumps and twists of a tree next to the highway by painting a bikini on the gum tree in 1997. The tree has since become locally renowned and has had several costume changes. Visitors must pull right off the side of the road to park, and be mindful of the traffic as it is on a busy road.
- 11 Wallaroo Hotel (Wallaroo Pub), 16 Yetman Road, Coolatai (41 km north of Warialda on Warialda Road), ☏ +61 2 6729 9038. Phone for hours. Pub fare. Phone for rates and availability.
Do
- Warialda Cup Race Meeting. Held annually in April. May be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Horse racing. Contact the Visitors Information Centre for dates and specifics
- Warialda Show. Held annually in May. May be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Contact the Visitors Information Centre for dates and specifics
- Warialda Honey Festival. Held annually in September. May be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Contact the Visitors Information Centre for dates and specifics
- Warialda Christmas Carnival. Held annually in December. May be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Horse racing. Contact the Visitors Information Centre for dates and specifics
- Birdwatching. Download a map and guide here.
- Fossicking. Ask for a map at the Warialda Visitors Information Centre.
- Historic Town Walk. Ask for self-guided map of this heritage trail at the Warialda Visitor Information Centre. Enquire about guided tours (fees may apply).
Sports
- 1 Warialda Golf and Bowling Club, 53 Holden Street (corner of Holden Street and High Street), ☏ +61 2 6729 1192. Phone for hours.
- 2 Warialda Swimming Pool (Warialda Swim Centre), ☏ +61 2 6729 1253. Phone for hours, or check with the Visitors Information Centre.
Buy
Self catering
- 1 Carlo's IGA Warialda Plus Liquor, 26 Stephen Street (next to Mitre 10 Hardware, opposite the old Commercial Hotel (closed)), ☏ +61 2 6729 1518. M-F 8AM-7PM, Sa Su 8AM-5PM, closed major public holidays. Supermarket. Liquor
- 2 Warialda Pharmacy, 36 Hope Street (next to Warialda Visitors Information Centre), ☏ +61 2 6729 1511, warpharm@bigpond.net.au. M-F 8:45AM-5:45PM, Sa 9AM-noon. Chemists
- 3 Bakers Loaf (Warialda Bakery), 5/23 Stephen Street (diagonally opposite the IGA supermarket), ☏ +61 2 6729 1100. Bakery.
- 4 Gwydir Meats, 18 Stephen Street (opposite the Civic Cafe), ☏ +61 2 6729 1507. Butchers.
- 5 Warialda Newsagency, 58-60 Hope Street (opposite the post office), ☏ +61 2 6729 1049. M-F 8AM-5:30PM, Sa Su 8AM-noon. Newsagent. Bookings for the Trainlink coach - see Get in/By coach
- 6 Mitre 10 Warialda, 26 Stephen Street, ☏ +61 2 6729 1518. M-F 7:30AM-5:30PM, Sa Su 8AM-2PM. Hardware store, sells gas bottles and camping supplies.
Eat
- 1 Civic Cafe, 17 Stephen Street (near the Shell service station). M-Th 9AM-2PM, 5PM-8PM F-Su 9AM-8PM. Cafe fare.
- 2 Country Dust Cafe, 2/4 Geddes Street (Warialda Visitors Information Centre). M-F 7:30AM-2PM Sa 8:30AM-1PM. Cafe fare.
- 3 Royal Hotel, 51 Hope Street (opposite McGregors Rural Supplies), ☏ +61 2 6729 1444.
- 4 Warialda Golf and Bowling Club, 53 Holden Street (corner of Holden Street and High Street), ☏ +61 2 6729 1192. Phone for hours.
Drink
- 1 Royal Hotel, 51 Hope Street (opposite McGregors Rural Supplies), ☏ +61 2 6729 1444.
- 2 Warialda Golf and Bowling Club, 53 Holden Street (corner of Holden Street and High Street), ☏ +61 2 6729 1192. Phone for hours.
Sleep
Hotels
- 1 Royal Hotel, 51 Hope Street (opposite McGregors Rural Supplies), ☏ +61 2 6729 1444. Phone for rates and availability
Motels
- 2 Sunflower Motel, Gwydir Highway (westbound) (opposite the Showgrounds, next to the swimming pool), ☏ +61 2 6729 1344, sunflowermotel@sunflowermotel.com.au. Phone for rates and availability
Caravan parks and camping
- 3 Cranky Rock Campground (Cranky Rock Nature Reserve) (12 km east of Warialda via Gwydir Highway, turn left into Cranky Rock Road), ☏ +61 2 6729 1402. Picnic areas, shelter with free barbecues, public toilets, children's playground. Caretaker, kiosk, shower amenities. Bookings essential. Powered sites $20 per night (pensioners $15), unpowered sites $15 per night (pensioners $12). Weekly rates available.
- 4 Warialda Caravan Park, corner of Geddes Street (Gwydir Highway) and Holden Street (opposite the Warialda Visitors Information Centre), ☏ +61 427 291 008. Cabins, van sites, camping sites. Laundry facilities, toilets and showers. Pets welcome provided they are kept under control at all times. Phone for availability. See website for rates.
Cope
Emergency
- 12 Police station, 29 Stephen Street (corner Stephen Street and Hope Street), ☏ +61 2 6729 0046. Not open 24 hours.
- 13 Warialda Multipurpose Service Hospital, 144 Long Street (corner Long Street and Arthur Wellesley Drive (parking)), ☏ +61 2 6728 9000. Open 24 hours.
- 14 Warialda Vet Clinic, 29 Stephen Street (corner Stephen Street and Geddes Street (Gwydir Highway), opposite the Shell service station), ☏ +61 2 6729 1015. Tu Th 8:30AM-5:30PM. If vet is not open, proceed to their clinic in Inverell (32 Sweaney Street, open 7 days, phone +61 2 6721 0266, after hours +61 427 456 616)
Fuel and mechanical
- 15 Shell service station, 19 Stephen Street (corner Geddes Street (Gwydir Highway (B76))) and Stephen Street), ☏ +61 2 6729 1514.
- 16 Roger Moore Pty Ltd (BP), 76 Hope Street (near the Royal Hotel), ☏ +61 2 6729 1570. Fuel. Mechanical repairs
- 17 Highway Service Centre, 41 Geddes Street (corner of Geddes Street (Gwydir Highway (B76)) and Stephen Street), ☏ +61 2 6729 0158. M-F 8:30AM-5:30PM, Sa 9:30-11:30AM. Mechanical repairs.
- 18 R & D Smash Repairs, 13906 Gwydir Highway (Gwydir Highway (B76) (westbound), on the right just after the Warialda Creek bridge), ☏ +61 2 6729 1852. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. Mechanical repairs.
Public telephones
- 19 Public telephone (on the Gwydir Highway heading west, in front of the swimming pool, diagonally opposite the Warialda Visitors Information Centre).
- 20 Public telephone (next to the post office).
- 21 Public telephone (7 km southwest of Warialda on the Allan Cunningham Road (B95) at Warialda Rail, next to the disused hotel).
Banks
There are no longer any major bank branches in Warialda. It is advisable to do any necessary banking before departing for Warialda.
- 22 Regional Australia Bank, 52 Hope Street (corner of Hope Street and Stephen Street), ☏ +61 132 067. M F 10AM-3PM.
- 23 Bank@Post (Australia Post), 41 Hope Street (opposite Warialda Newsagency), ☏ +61 2 6729 1599. M-F 9AM-5PM. Agent for Commonwealth Bank, Westpac Bank, National Australia Bank
ATM
- Cashcard ATM (Carlo's IGA), 26 Stephen Street. M-F 8AM-7PM, Sa Su 8AM-5PM, closed major public holidays.
Services
- 24 Australia Post LPO, 41 Hope Street (opposite Warialda Newsagency), ☏ +61 2 6729 1599. M-F 9AM-5PM. Centrelink agent
Go next
- Yetman - north of Warialda: 83 km via Stephen Street/Warialda Road, through Coolatai, turn right onto Bruxner Highway (54 min)
- Ashford - north-east of Warialda: 80 km via via Stephen Street/Warialda Road, turn right at Coolatai onto Coolatai Road, turn right onto Yetman Road, turn left onto Wallangra Road (55 min)
- Tenterfield - north-east of Warialda: 221 km via via Stephen Street/Warialda Road, turn right at Coolatai onto Coolatai Road, turn right onto Yetman Road, turn left ont Wallangra Road, turn left at Ashford onto Bonshaw Road, turn right onto Bruxner Highway, turn right onto New England Highway (A15) (2 hr 29 min)
- Delungra - south-east of Warialda: 29 km via Gwydir Highway (B76) (20 min)
- Inverell - south-east of Warialda: 62 km via Gwydir Highway (B76), through Delungra (45 min)
- Glen Innes - east of Warialda: 128 km via Gwydir Highway (B76), through Delungra, through Inverell (1 hr 30 min)
- Armidale - south-east of Warialda: 187 km via Gwydir Highway (B76), through Delungra, at Inverell turn right onto Tingha Road, continue ahead as Bundarra Road, cross the Copes Creek bridge, continue ahead as Thunderbolts Way, continue through Bundarra, turn left onto Bundarra Road, turn right onto Miller Street, turn left onto Uralla Road/Waterfall Way (B78) and continue ahead (2 hr 16 min)
- Bingara - south of Warialda: 84 km via Allan Cunningham Road (B95), turn right onto Finch Street, turn left onto Maitland Street (1 hr 7 min)
- Barraba - south of Warialda: 102 km via Allan Cunningham Road (B95), through Bingara, continue south on B95 (1 hr 10 min)
- Manilla - south of Warialda: 148 km via Allan Cunningham Road (B95), through Bingara, through Barraba, continue south of B95 (1 hr 41 min)
- Tamworth - south of Warialda: 192 km via Allan Cunningham Road (B95), through Bingara, through Barraba, through Manilla, continue on B95 (2 hr 15 min)
- Moree - west of Warialda: 96 km via Gwydir Highway, through Gravesend, past the turn-off to Biniguy on the left, past the pecan nut farm on the right, past the Grattai Road turn-off to Pallamallawa on the right, past the Terry Hie Hie turn-off on the left (1 hr 19 min)
- Boggabilla - north of Warialda: 142 km via Stephen Street/Warialda Road, through Coolatai, turn left onto Bruxner Highway (1 hr 31 min)
- Goondiwindi (Queensland) - 151 km north-west of Warialda via ia Stephen Street/Warialda Road, through Coolatai, turn left onto Bruxner Highway, continue through Boggabilla, turn right onto the Newell Highway (A39), turn left at the roundabout (1 hr 40 min)