Gilgandra - Places to See

Tourist Information Centre, Coo-ee Park and the Gilgandra Museum
Tune to FM 88 for a radio broadcast of local information. The Visitors' Information Centre is located in Coo-ee March Memorial Park, on the Newell Highway, tel: (02) 6847 2045. It is open seven days from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.and sells gifts and souvenirs and a range of local books and art. They can also furnish information concerning farmstays and tour guide services. They can be emailed at gilinfo@tpg.com.au.

Adjacent is the Gilgandra Museum containing local memorabilia, most notably the Coo-ee March Memorial Room. It relates to the occasion in 1915 when 35 men set off on a six-week, 500-km trek to Sydney as part of the first recruiting march of World War I.

There are also artefacts and pictures relating to the murders which occurred in 1900 at Breelong, 18 km south-east of Gilgandra, on the road to Mendooran. The Governor brothers and Jacky Underwood, all in the employ of Jack Mawbey, murdered Sarah Mawbey, three of her children and Helena Kurz, the local schoolteacher.

Rural Museum
Also in the park is Gilgandra's Rural Museum. It contains local history artefacts and specialises in Australian-invented rural machinery of yesteryear. It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on weekends and school holidays, or by prior arrangement through the visitors' centre. There is an annual steam engine rally on Easter Saturday.

The windmill out the front has symbolic value as there were 300 in operation by the 1950s, earning Gilgandra the title 'The Windmill Town'. They were used to pump up sub-artesian water until 1966. An Avenue of Windmills is being established in the park, displaying various types and sizes.

Gilgandra Observatory
The Gilgandra Observatory and Display Centre is located in Willie St, just off the Newell Hwy. Aside from opportunities to view the rings of Saturn, sun spots, the moons and Great Red Spot of Jupiter, there are astronomical displays as well as rocks, fossils, petrified wood and native flora. The centre is usually open from 12.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.on weekdays and from 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. every night but Sunday when it is closed. During daylight savings the nightly hours are 8.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m and in the school holidays the observatory is open seven evenings a week, tel: (02) 6847 2646.

Flora Reserve
The Gilgandra Native Flora Reserve is 8.5 ha of remnant bushland which features many plant species, particularly local wildflowers which are best seen from September to November. There are picnic and barbecue facilities. To get there head north-east on the Oxley Highway towards Coonabarabran for 8 km then turn right into Flora Reserve Rd (well signposted). Admission is free and it is open every day.

Orana Cactus World
Orana Cactus World is located 1 km south of Gilgandra on the Newell Highway towards Dubbo. It features both native and exotic species and is open by appointment, tel: (02) 6847 2642.

Arboretum
The Jack McGirr Arboretum is located on the Newell Highway, opposite the Rotary Caravan Park, on the Castlereagh River. Paul McGirr donated these six acres in memory of his son and daughter, who both died of SIDS. It is intended as a peaceful rest and recreation area for children. Anyone can dedicate a memorial tree to a SIDS child (see Chris Keen of the caravan park).

Honey Extraction Plant
The Honey Extraction Plant is located at the western end of town, on the Warren Rd, in the industrial area of Gilgandra. Visitors are welcome during extraction but only by appointment, tel: (02) 6847 2499.