Uniting Church - Inverell

Inverell NSW 2360 (Pop 11 000)

Inverell, known as the ‘Sapphire City’, is situated on the Macintyre River in the New England Tablelands 675 km n-w of Sydney. Original inhabitants were the Jukambal Aborigines and white settlerment began around 1830. The town’s name originated from an early settler’s property ‘Inverell’ a Gaelic word meaning ‘meeting place of the swans’ of which there were many at the time.  Merino sheep, wheat farming and mining (tin, diamonds, bauxite, lead, sapphires, zircons) contributed to a flourishing township and economy. The area is well known as a fossicking district, producing topaz, quartz, silver, diamonds, agate, petrified wood, rhodorite, tourmaline and lead, as well as sapphires, diamonds and tin. The Inverell area has long been a source of much of the world's sapphire supply. Inverell markets 1^st Sun each month. Art Exhibition (Mar), Sapphire City Floral Festival (Oct), Venetian (food /entertainment) Festival (Dec).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Visitor Centre & Mining Museum, Water Towers Complex, Campbell St interesting display of the local mining industry as well gem and mineral examples. Open (9am-5pm) weekdays and (9am-12noon) Sat. Transport Museum, Taylor Ave one of Australia’s largest collections of transport memorabilia with over 200 exhibits on display. Open (10am-4pm) daily (exc Christmas Day).

Nearby:
McIlveen Lookout (3 km west) excellent views of town and the surrounding district. Goonoowigall Reserve (5 km south) 2 000 ha reserve rich in flora & fauna. The early Aborigines hunted here and the name means ‘water and rock wallabies’. Also close by is Thunderbolts Rock, a huge granite outcrop that can be climbed. Copeton Dam (39 km s-w) ideal area for watersports, recreation & wildlife. Kwiambal NP (90 km north) scenic park where two major rivers (Macintyre & Severn) meet with the stunning Macintyre Falls in between. Ashford Caves, granite gorges, plunge pools, varied woodlands & wildlife are also part of this interesting park. Gwydir River provides sensational whitewater rafting in summer.

Accommodation:
Inverell has 5 motels, 8 hotels and two caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Campbell St. Tel (02) 6722 1693 or 1800 067 626.

Airport:
Glen Innes Airport (GLI) Emmaville Rd. (67 km east).

Hospital:
Inverell District Hospital, Swanbrook Rd. Tel (02) 6721 9500.