Wallabadah

Wallabadah (including Goonoo Goonoo)
Attractive little village on the upper reaches of Quirindi Creek
Wallabadah is an attractive little village with tree-lined streets on the upper reaches of Quirindi Creek, beneath the mountains of the Peel Range and on the eastern rim of the Liverpool Plains. Situated on the New England Highway it is 60 km south of Tamworth and 359 km north of Sydney. Fine wool, stud cattle, turkeys, pecan nuts and prime lambs sustain the local economy.

The original Aboriginal inhabitants of the district were the Kamilaroi peoples who called the area 'Thalababuri' (its meaning is uncertain). The Kamilaroi tribe was subdivided into clans and classes which determined marital possibilities (girls being often betrothed in infancy and married by about 14). They wore opossum clothing and, for ceremonial or ornamental purposes, smeared themselves with red ochre and pipe clay, scarred their bodies and wore decorative headwear. The males hunted while the women gathered fruit. Weaponry consisted of elaborately carved clubs, spears and boomerangs and stone or flint tomahawks and knives. Fishing was carried out with the aid of weirs, spears and nets made of grass or bark.

The first European settlers began squatting in the district around 1830 and the Wallabadah Station (44 000 acres) was taken up about 1835. The current homestead (built in 1900) is 5 km east of the township.

A village emerged which was of some importance in the 1850s, being located at the road junction of the mail coaches which came from the north and north-west. This prospect proved too tempting for Thunderbolt, then the most notorious bushranger in the colony, who robbed the northern mail coach at Wallabadah in 1867.

The town was also of some importance as a service centre for the surrounding area. However, it was surpassed by Quirindi when the railway arrived at the latter in 1877. Wallabadah became a soldier settlement location after World War II.

Although it is an attractive landmark on the highway there is little in particular to see, other than a couple of historic buildings. Australia's first country racing club was established at Wallabadah in 1852 and the Wallabadah Cup is still held on New Year's Day (the current racecourse was built in 1898). There is a caravan park and picnic area on the banks of the creek and a small golf course.

Things to see:

Historic Buildings
Along the Quirindi Rd, to the left, is the Anglican Church of the Ascension (1896 with 1912 additions). On the highway is the Marshall MacMahon Hotel which dates from about 1867. The original stone section has been incorporated into the present building. The Catholic Church (1910) is also quite attractive.

First Fleet Memorial Gardens
Come and explore the beginnings of our Australian nation by the peaceful banks of Quirindi Creek. The award winning First Fleet Memorial Garden is a tribute to the European settlers who began what is now modern Australia. The Garden features extracts from the logs of actual participants describing the early history of the colony and the treacherous voyage to Australia. Hand carved tablets, by master stonemason Ray Collins, list the names of passengers, the crew, convicts, and civilians who travelled on the eleven ships of the first fleet. Read of the tales from those who were on the voyage and explore the list of livestock and provisions that were brought. Picnic under the graceful stand of Australian native Shea Oaks adorning the banks of the Quirindi Creek. Picnic facilities including barbeques, children's play area and amenities are all easily accessible. The Gardens are open Monday to Sunday from sunrise to sunset. School and bus groups are welcome. Telephone (02) 6746 1096 for more information.