This was published 9 years ago
Quirindi, New South Wales: Travel guide and things to do
Young persons horse riding, mustering cattle at Karanilla, Quirindi, New England North WestCredit: North Sullivan
Known as the 'gateway to the North-West' Quirindi (pronounced 'Car-in-dye') is located off the New England Highway, 354 km north of Sydney and 63 km south-west of Tamworth . It is situated on a plateau in the Liverpool Ranges, 390 m above sea-level and at the southern edge of the Liverpool Plains.
Quirindi is a service centre to the surrounding agricultural and pastoral area where crops such as sorghum, wheat, cotton, sunflowers, lucerne and corn are grown. The town's population is currently about 3050.
The area was once occupied by the Kamilaroi Aborigines and it is from their language that the town's name derives. However, so many completely different meanings have been ascribed to the word that it is perhaps best to assume its meaning to be irrecoverable.
The first European to discover the Liverpool Plains was John Oxley in 1818. However, settlement had to wait until the discovery of an access route through the Liverpool Ranges. With the help of Aboriginal guides, Alan Cunningham made his way through in 1823. Another route was found by Henry Dangar the following year but he had to turn back when attacked by the Geaweagal clan of the Wanaruah people. He returned again, successfully, the following year. The first squatters followed about 1827.
Around 1830 a man named George Loder established Quirindi Station at the junction of Quirindi Creek and the Jacob and Joseph Creek. This also became a popular camping spot for teamsters and formed the basis of the future townsite. In fact, Loder's stockman set up a slab hut on the ground now occupied by Loder St.
An inn was established here in the 1840s. The town was gazetted in 1856 although the first land sales in 1857 attracted few. A post office was established in 1858. The 1861 Lands Act opened the district up to small settlers and the pastoral economy was diversified by small-farm agriculture. In 1866 the local inn was bailed up by the bushranging gang of Thunderbolt (Fred Ward).
The most significant event in the town's history was the arrival of the railway in 1877. This made it the focal point and service centre of the surrounding area. The population increased from about 100 before the trains arrived to 1139 by 1891.
The presence of numerous railway navvies led to the immediate establishment of two new inns. Their rowdy behaviour saw locals petition for a police presence. A police residence was built in 1877 and the first courthouse emerged between 1882 and 1884 (the latter burned to the ground in 1929). A public school was also built and opened in 1877. The post office building (still standing in George St) was built in 1884.
In anticipation of the town's growth the Commercial Bank set up a branch in the Bird-in-Hand Hotel in 1876. They kept their 'safe' on the hotel verandah. This proved too great a temptation for bushrangers Bradshaw and Riley who robbed it in 1880. Given 12 years hard labour Bradshaw wrote a book about the robbery, a copy of which he handed to the bank manager upon his release. A plaque at the southern end of town, near Bank Lane, marks the site of the old hotel/bank.
The first Australian polo club was formed at Quirindi in 1888. The annual polo carnival, Australia's oldest, commenced in 1893 and is still held in August. The town has a very active racecourse which hosts numerous meetings. The main event, the Quirindi Cup, is held in February. The Quirindi Rodeo takes place in the same month.
Things to see
The Who'd-A-Thought-It Lookout
The Who'd-A-Thought-It Lookout on Who'd-A-Thought-It Hill offers panoramic views of the town, the Liverpool Plains to the west and the Great Dividing Range to the south and to the east beyond Wallabadah. The ridges in the area are the result of major volcanic activity in the past. There is evidence of ancient oceanic coral reefs and beaches in the vicinity.
The origins of the lookout's unusual name are uncertain. The Who'd-A-Thought It Hotel, built on the western side of the hill in 1882, became a popular venue for drinking, sports meetings and horse races. It burned down in 1906. Perhaps the hill was named after the hotel or vice-versa. Local legend maintains that the name derives from the surprise felt by travellers either upon encountering the hotel or by unexpectedly sighting Quirindi once at the top of the rise.
Today it is a fine picnic spot. To get there follow the Gunnedah signs to the edge of town where you will see a signposted right-hand turn.
Tourist Information
The tourist information outlet in town is in the Railway Station Square Quirindi, Station St, tel: (02) 6746 1096. There you can pick up the 'Quirindi Country Drives' and 'Top Attractions' brochures.
Quirindi & District Historical Cottage & Museum
In Station Street, north of the memorial clock and opposite the steam engine, is a cottage built in 1887 by Ben Ison as a shop and residence. It is now home to a local history museum which is usually open Friday from 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. or by appointment, tel: (02) 6760 9634 or (02) 6746 1337.
Scenic Drives in the Area
There are a number of scenic country roads to explore around Quirindi some of which pass through rural properties. They are pleasant and picturesque, with some significant destinations.For your 'Quirindi Country Drives' brochure contact the Tourist Centre on (02) 6746 1096.
Premer and Return (approximately 200 km)
Head out of town on the Gunnedah Rd. 5 km will bring you to Captain Cook Park, a flora and fauna reserve with picnic-barbecue facilities. 9 km from Quirindi is the turnoff to Caroona and Spring Ridge. The unusually designed sandstone house with outbuildings, visible from the road, is the homestead of Walhollow Station which once covered some 1300 square km. This road passes through Caroona, which has an attractive little stone church and a 90-m bridge over the Mooki River.
The road then continues across the black soil plains for 18 km to Spring Ridge, a village which dates back to the 1870s (the school was built in 1892). The road continues westwards past Mt Tamarang (to the left) and on to Premer, a service centre to the surrounding wheat-growing area. If you wish to return by a different route you can head south-east to Bundella and on to the locality of Yarraman. From there you can either turn north-east and return to Quirindi via Pine Ridge or head south-east via Blackville to Willow Tree.
Willow Tree
Willow Tree is a small pretty village of arts and antique shops 14 km south of Quirindi on the New England Highway. The township is a service centre to the rural areas of Warrah and Mount Parry. It is situated at the north-eastern corner of the enormous Warrah grant which was made out to the Australian Agricultural Company in 1833.
An inn was established on the future townsite, at the junction of the roads north to Quirindi and north-west to Wallabadah in the mid-19th century. It was, however, the arrival of the railway in the 1870s that led to settlement. The village was surveyed when part of the Warrah grant was subdivided and sold in 1908.
Quipolly Dam (36 km return)
Head out of Quirindi along Borah Creek Rd, which heads north-east opposite Nowland St. After about 11 km there is a road junction at the dam's backwaters. Turn right heading upstream for another 4 km past the dam where waterbirds (usually black swans and pelicans) are plentiful, to a picnic area by Quipolly Creek. In the early days of settlement there were once a number of small dairy farms and vineyards along the creek. Before the advent of the railway the village of Quipolly had four inns catering to the road traffic. Return due west to the main road between Quirindi and Werris Creek.
Tourist information
Quirindi Tourist Information Centre
Railway Square, Station St
Quirindi NSW 2343
telephone: (02) 6746 1096
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