Gunnedah

Gunnedah NSW 2380 (Pop 9 600)

Gunnedah sits in the Namoi Valley at the junction of the Kamilaroi & Oxley Hwys, 440 km n-w of Sydney and 70 km west of Tamworth. The Kamilaroi (Gamilaraay) Aborigines named the area Gunnedah meaning ‘place of white stones’.  European settlement began in 1830s and today the town is known as the Koala Capital of the World with at least 25 koalas known to live in the town itself. Dorothea Mackellar wrote her famous poem, My Country (I Love a Sunburnt Country) about her family’s farm nearby. Major industry is agriculture with the main exports being cotton, coal, beef, lamb, and grains. Gunnedah markets 3rd Sat each month. Week of Speed (Mar), AgQuip (Australia’s largest annual exhibition of farming equipment) (Aug) and Vintage Car Swap Meet (Sept).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Anzac Park, South St is home to the statue of Doreothea MacKellar, poet and the Water Tower Museum in the town’s first water reservoir (1908-1950s) depicting local history with murals and memorabilia. Open from (2pm-5pm) Sat. Cumbo Gunnedah Gallery, Chandos St features Aboriginal artifacts, artwork and photographs. The Rural Museum, Mullaley Rd containing farm machinery, a gun collection and pioneering artifacts. Open (9am-3pm) 7 days.

Nearby:
Porcupine Lookout (3 km s-e) magnificent town views and surrounding Liverpool Plains. Lake Keepit (34 km n-e) ideal watersports lake with great camping facilities, bushwalking and rock climbing.

Accommodation:
Gunnedah has 7 motels, five hotels and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: Anzac Park, South St. Tel (02) 6740 2230 or 1800 562 527.

Airport:
Gunnedah Aerodrome, Wean Rd. (3 km north).

Hospital:
Gunnedah District Hospital, Marquis St. Tel  (02) 6741 8000.