GUNNEDAH
Yaama! Welcome to Gunnedah, place of white stone! Gunnedah is a vibrant country town in the heart of the fertile black soil of the Liverpool Plains, small enough for the locals to greet you, big enough to have a wonderful range of accommodation and eating options as well as a great diversity of experiences.
Gunnedah is located on the Kamilaroi and Oxley Highways and is the hub of one of Australia’s richest agricultural regions. Within four hours drive from Newcastle and less than six hours from Sydney, Gunnedah is the perfect destination for a short break in the country. Boasting a great variety of boutique shopping, dining and entertainment venues, the town is well placed as a base to explore the surrounding area. Genuine smiles and the natural beauty of the landscape paint a picture of real country Australia. It is little wonder that this beautiful area inspired Dorothea Mackellar – author of My Country – to write some of her amazing poetry and prose. Learn more about Dorothea at the Mackellar Centre in Anzac Park where some of her personal belongings are featured alongside a stunning collection of Jean Isherwood’s paintings inspired by My Country.
Local artists exhibit at the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery in The Cultural Precinct which includes a cinema and the Visitor Information Centre. The precinct is filled with art, and visitors are greeted by the Rainbow Serpent Water Feature at the front of the building, a fascinating piece of art showcasing a snake made with mosaic stones that glisten through the running water, surrounded by significant Indigenous animals. When you enter the building, a stunning wall mural called “Two Rivers” sets the scene in the Mooki Room where you will find the Visitor Information Centre. Off the Mooki Room is a small courtyard with a River Gum mural, complementing the water theme of this unique trifecta community art project to conclude your Gunnedah art odyssey.
Don’t forget to stop in the many picturesque villages that form the border of our Shire, each with their own country charm and unique scenery: Curlewis with an interesting coal mining history, Mullaley and Breeza in the heart of farming country, Tambar Springs, where they found an entire Diprotodon skeleton, Carroll and Lake Keepit and Kelvin, with the Boonalla Aboriginal Area.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
Gunnedah and the surrounding areas were originally inhabited by Aboriginal peoples who spoke the Gamilaraay language. The area that is now home to the town was settled by European sheep farmers in 1833 or 1834. With settlement in the area focused on wool production, Gunnedah was initially known as “the Woolshed” until taking its name from the local Indigenous people who called themselves the Gunn-e-dar, the most famous of whom was Cumbo Gunnerah, the Red Chief. Cumbo Gunnerah had a reputation as a warrior and wise leader of the Gunn-e-dar tribe. He was buried in the mid 18th century in a manner befitting a Kamilaroi man of great importance - in a sitting position, backed by a tree carved with totemic designs. The stories of his unsurpassed bravery, achievements and adventures were handed down through the generations and his burial place was treated with great respect. In 1984, a memorial sculpture, designed by Dennis Adams in consultation with the local Aboriginal peoples and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service was erected to mark the burial site. It is believed to be the first memorial established in honour of an Aboriginal historical identity. Gunnedah’s history and heritage is captured in two museums - the Rural Museum holds a vast number of collections, from household items to cars, tractors, tools, guns, coke cans and bottles and collectors’ Arnott’s biscuit tins. The Water Tower Museum houses local memorabilia from all walks of life and includes historical war artefacts. If you want to know anything about Gunnedah Shire’s past, this is the place to go. For opening times contact our Visitor Information Centre in Chandos Street or call 02 6740 2230.
DIRECTIONS
GUNNEDAH VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
1800 KOALAS / 02 6740 2230