Ducks on Lagoon Creek

 

Narrabri (and Bellata)
Major centre on the north west slopes of New South Wales.
Narrabri is the administrative centre of Narrabri Shire which is located within the Namoi River Valley in northern NSW. The rugged peaks of Mt Kaputar National Park loom to the east while plains seem to stretch into eternity to the west. The shire produces wheat, fat lambs, beef and especially cotton. The town lies adjacent the river and is situated on the Newell Highway between Coonabarabran and Moree. It is 531 km north-west of Sydney and 240 m above sea-level. The population is currently 7300.

It is apt that the town's name is said to mean 'forked waters'. As you drive through Narrabri along the highway you will notice this splintering of the waterways. First you pass over the Namoi River, then Narrabri Creek and, finally, the creek's sub-branch, Horse Arm Creek.

The name presumably derives from the language of the Kamilaroi tribe who were the original occupants. In 1818 John Oxley became the first European to set foot in the district. Allan Cunningham explored the Boggabri Plains in 1825 and escaped convict George Clarke (see entry on Boggabri) roamed what is now Narrabri Shire from 1826-1831. His tales of a vast inland river prompted the expedition of Thomas Mitchell into the district, thereby opening it up to settlement.

The first squatting run was the 'Nurrabry', taken up in 1834. A townsite was first recommended in 1848 at what had become a road junction to the south and west. A hotel was licensed in 1858 and the town was proclaimed in 1860. A post office and police station were established but a catatastrophic flood devastated the township in 1864.

An early sign of the town's importance was the transfer of court services from Wee Waa and the building of a courthouse in 1864-65. A coach service commenced in 1865 and the first public school opened in 1868.

After the Robertson Land Act of 1861 the area was slowly opened up to smaller selectors and wheat-growing began in 1873. Consequently the population climbed from 313 in 1871 to 1 977 in 1891. The growth in size and prosperity of the town is evident if one compares the two surviving courthouses, one built in the 1860s and the other in the 1880s .

Bridges over Narrabri Creek were built in 1877 and the Namoi in 1879. The railway arrived at Narrabri West in 1882 and a settlement began to develop around it. Narrabri was declared a municipality in 1883.

A major soldier resettlement scheme was implemented at Edgeroi (24 km north) after World War II, bringing greater prosperity to the district and a resurgent population. A major flood in 1955 devastated the town but Narrabri West was unaffected and so resumed something of its earlier importance. It was finally incorporated into Narrabri in 1981.

Cotton was introduced in 1962. Intensive research and improved irrigation have created the largest cotton yields in Australia, bringing renewed prosperity to the town.

Things to see:  

Narrabri Shire Visitors' Centre
Narrabri Shire Visitors' Centre is located at the corner of Tibbereena and Lloyd Sts, tel: (02) 6799 6760 or email: tourism@narrabri.nsw.gov.au. It is open weekends and public holidays from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. They can furnish information relating to local fishing, farmstays, joy flights, the Narrabri Spring Festival in October, April's Agricultural Show and other events. Daily tours of the cotton farms are possible from April to July. A summary of the shire's attractions is broadcast on Tourist Radio, FM88. Pamphlets relating to a signposted town drive and a town walk are also available.

 

Mt Kaputar National Park
Head east out of town on the Old Gunnedah Rd (an extension of Maitland St). After about 4 km there is a turnoff to the left on to the Mt Kaputar Rd. Along this road is Mt Kaputar (pronounced 'cap-you-tar') National Park. As the approach is narrow and steep no caravans are permitted although there is a bush caravan park on the banks of Bullawa Creek.

The Bark Hut camping area, 48 km from Narrabri, has off-road camping and an amenities block. 5 km further on is Dawsons Springs campsite (1373 m above sea-level) which has an amenities block and two cabins. There is a short nature trail. In all the park has a dozen walking tracks. Some are outlined in a pamphlet available from the National Parks and Wildlife Service office at 100 Maitland St in Narribri, tel: 02 6799 1740.

The access road continues on to the summit of Mt Kaputar. 1524 m above sea-level it offers truly panoramic views to a distance of about 150 km in all directions.

 

Sawn Rocks
Head north out of town on the Newell Highway. After 3 km turn right on to the Bingara Rd. About 36 km from Narrabri is the Sawn Rocks carpark. A walking track leads from the picnic area through some pleasant flora to a well-situated platform which provides excellent views of the interesting 40-m-high basalt column. Its striated facade consists of a series of such precisely geometric forms that it appears to be the product of a chisel rather than natural forces, hence the name of the formation.

 

Rocky Creek Glacial Area
Further along the Bingara Rd are Rocky Creek Gorge and the 'Glacial Area', the latter a site of some geological interest. More generally it is a good picnic spot where you can swim in the creek in summertime amidst huge conglomerate boulders and explore the bush. A pamphlet is available from the Bingara visitors' centre, tel: (02) 6724 1726.

 

Waa Gorge
21 km along the aforementioned Bingara Rd, there is a turnoff to the left at a Y-intersection signposted 'Moree-Terry Hie Hie'. After a further 29 km turn right at the T-intersection and the road leads to the Waa Gorge carpark. This is very definitely a dry-weather only road. Some of it is on private property so be sure to close all gates after you.

The track leads from the carpark, past the picnic area, to the 'Devil's Waterholes', two deep pellucid pools in which you can swim. Climb the small hill on their left and follow the track alongside the creek. It is about 45 minutes to the gorge which appears as you round a corner, towering 70 m overhead. The walls of the gorge are bright orange due to the passage of the water.

 

Australian Cotton Centre
Situated in Tibbereena St, adjacent the Visitors' Centre, this $2 million exhibition centre showcases Australia's cotton industry in ways that utilise up-to-date entertainment technology to provide what is essentially an educational experience designed for the enjoyment of all ages. Within are nine interactive exhibits designed and built by Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra. A major exhibit is the 3D Theatre. One to two hours should be set aside and the needs of school and university groups of all ages are especially catered to. Cotton products and souvenirs are also available for sale, tel: (1300) 663 853, (02) 6792 6443 or email: info@australiancottoncentre.com.au

 

CSIRO Australia Telescope
A radio helioscope was established at Culgoora by the CSIRO in 1967. In the 1980s the most powerful telescope in the Southern Hemisphere was built, receiving radio waves from deep space by means of six gigantic dishes. To get there turn off the highway into Ugoa St, passing the showgrounds, then follow the 'Australia Telescope' signs for 24 km.

There is a visitors' centre at the complex with push-button displays and videos. It is open from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily. Staff are available to answer questions from Monday to Friday, although they are also in attendance on weekends during public holidays. It is advisable to ring before visiting to ensure that the telescope is in full operation, tel: (02) 6790 4070.

 

Yarrie Lake
About 8 km south-west of the telescope complex is Yarrie Lake, a large pool of water (1.6 km in diameter) on the boundary of the Pilliga Scrub. It is believed by some to be a meteor crater. A waterbird haven, the lake is ideal for camping, swimming, sailing, waterskiing and other water sports. Ring the Narrabri Visitors' Centre to book for camping and before launching boats.

 

Pilliga Scrub
To the south-west of Narrabri is the Pilliga Scrub, a vast woodland area which was lightly timbered country before the arrival of Europeans. Heavy grazing on poor soils encouraged the growth of thick Australian timber, including the largest cypress pine forest in the Southern Hemisphere. This development gave birth to an active timber industry. The scrub is at its most delightful in spring and it is home to a wide range of wildlife. However, the roads are strictly dry-weather-only so visit the Narrabri Visitors' Centre first to inquire about conditions and to purchase a Pilliga Forest map, as there are 2700 km of confusing tracks crisscrossing the scrub.

 

Mt Kaputar Wines
Established in 1997, this winery has already won some notable awards at Australian wine shows. Situated at an elevation of 440 metres, in the foothills of the Nandewar Ranges, the winery's produce is made exclusively from grapes grown on the property. Sales are available from the cellar, which is built from Pilliga ironbark and which offers fine views from the verandah.

 

Narrabri Creek Town Walk
The walk outlined below is a slight variation on the town walk outlined in the information centre pamphlet.

From the information centre, follow the bank of the creek through the parkland to the Tibbereena and Denison St intersection. Walk along Denison St then take the first left into Maitland St. To the right are the brick police residence (1878-79), the second courthouse (1886-88) and, at Maitland and Bowen Sts, the original brick courthouse (1864-65) - all designed by noted colonial architect, James Barnet.

Turn right into Bowen St. To the left is Gallipoli House, originally the Narrabri Steam Flour Mill (1881). Opposite is the Heritage Centre.

 

 

The Old Gaol Heritage Centre

 

Heritage Centre
The Heritage Centre is located in the old lock-up which was built in 1882 and functioned as such for exactly 100 years. Another Barnet design, it houses a large collection relating to local and family history. The centre is open from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on Saturdays. To allow visitors to appreciate the austerity of the gaol, it is possible for groups of 10 or more to book an evening tour of the gaol. To make such a booking ring (02) 6799 6760 or email tourism@narrabri.nsw.gov.au.

 

Town Walk Continued
At the eastern end of Bowen St is the Keys Flour Mill (1911). Over Logan St is the railway station (1897).

Return along Bowen and take a right into Nandewar St. At Dewhurst and Nandewar is St Cyprian's Anglican Church (1895).

At Dewhurst and Balonne is St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, completed in 1896 while, at Dewhurst and Maitland, the Club House Hotel retains its Victorian-era tiled foyer and cedar staircase.

At Doyle and Maitland is the post office (another Barnet design), built in 1879 with later additions. Krohn's Shoe Store, diagonally opposite, is one of the few buildings in Maitland St to retain its fine cast-iron lacework verandah.

Continue along Maitland St then turn left into Lloyd St and return to the information centre.

 

The Crossing Theatre
The Crossing Theatre is Narrabri Shire's new cultural centre and cinema complex. Set on the banks of Narrabri Creek, at 117 Tibbereena St, this $6 million venture has a 1000-seat auditorium for concerts, art exhibitions, conferences and promotions. Movies are screened from Wednesday to Sunday. For general inquiries and bookings ring (02) 6792 4654 or for movie information ring (02) 6792 2488.

 

Narrabri Lake
Located at the south-western end of town, the lake is an ideal spot for windsurfers and canoeists. Numerous waterbirds make the lake their home, including black swans, ibis and pelicans.

 

Narrabri Gallery
Located in Dangar St, just off Gibbons St, the Narrabri Craft Shop and Gallery is situated within one of the town's oldest buildings (1887).

There are also some 20 works by Australian artists in the shire council's administration building in Maitland St.

 

Bellata
Bellata is a small village, 45 km north of Narrabri about halfway to Moree. Fossickers will find high quality agate, jasper, carnelian, petrified opal and petrified wood in the vicinity. For further information on fossicking sites ring the Narrabri Information Centre.

 

Spider's Tours
Spider is a local who conducts informative guided tours to such destinations as Mt Kaputar National Park, Sawn Rocks, the Australia Telescope and the Pilliga Scrub. During cotton-picking season (April-June) special cotton tours depart from the Narrabri Visitors' Centre at 10.30 a.m. daily. These tours visit Auscott, the largest single cotton operation in the Namoi Valley, and incorporate cotton-picking and a visit to a state-of-the-art cotton gin. Bookings for all tours can be made on (02) 6799 6760.

 

 

 

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Narrabri