From Wikitravel

Walcha is a town on the Northern Tablelands of the New England (New South Wales) region, 425km north of Sydney via Thunderbolts Way and 184km west of Port Macquarie. The area is the southern gateway to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park which can be accessed at the Apsley Falls, 20km east of Walcha and 1km off the Oxley Highway.

[edit] Understand

Walcha has cool climate with some snow falls and frosty nights in the winter months, producing extremely low temperatures. However, frosts are usually followed by clear sunny days. During a cold night untreated (summer) diesel fuel can "gel" (turn from a liquid to a semi-solid). At temperatures below freezing, diesel engines may experience starting problems and warm-up slowly. As the morning warms (usually before 9am), the vehicle will operate normally without intervention. In Autumn, the town has the changing colours of the trees which make for great photographs. But it is summer that is arguably the best time to visit Walcha, although even on warm sunny days the temperature can suddenly drop. Due to its altitude, the town is rarely humid, and even days where the temperature reaches 33 degrees Celsius are tolerable.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

Walcha does not have a railway station, however it is serviced by the Countrylink Rail line at Walcha Road, which is located approximately 20 km west of Walcha. Country Link Rail Services arriving or departing Walcha Road are connected to Walcha by bus, which must be booked at the same time as booking your rail ticket. This rail service connects Sydney with Armidale where the service terminates.

[edit] By vehicle

Walcha is located at the junction of the scenic Thunderbolts Way and the Oxley Highway. When travelling from the south (Sydney) on the Pacific Highway past Raymond Terrace you will see an exit sign pointing to Bucketts Way and Gloucester on the left hand side of the road. Take this exit, and turn left at the round-a-bout in Gloucester and follow this road (Thunderbolts Way) all the way into Walcha. This route is about 70km shorter than the alternative trip on the New England Highway through the Hunter Valley and Tamworth. When travelling on the New England Highway, after crossing the Macdonald River at Bendemeer, turn right onto the Oxley Highway which takes you into Walcha. Motorcycle rides from Gloucester and Port Macquarie are also very popular scenic trips for riders. Do not speed through the town. The boys in blue have some new play toys that they are trying out.

• Keens Buses, tel: (02) 6543 1322. have a service to the coast.

[edit] Get around

There are no public transport services in the town and you will need a vehicle to visit the many out of town sightseeing locations. A 4WD with low range is needed if trips are planned into the wilderness areas of Riverside Camping Area and Youdale’s Hut. Trips to the spectacular Apsley and Tia Falls in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park are easily accessed by using a regular vehicle.

[edit][add listing] See

Visit Walcha’s Open Air Gallery where local, national and international artists have combined to create a unique streetscape with about 32 sculptures and artworks. Obtain a brochure on these works from the visitor centre before taking a walk or self-drive tour around them.

At the Pioneer Cottage museum and complex view a genuine 1860s shingle roofed and slab sided cottage. See the Tiger Moth plane that was used to drop the first superphosphate in Australia. The wool hall here gives a good insight into the history of the sheep and wool industry, too.

Walcha has four Churches representing the Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian denominations. The old Anglican church was built in the 1861 from stone taken from the demolished homestead, 'Villa Walcha', erected on the Wolka run in the 1840s.

Visit the grave of Nathaniel Buchanan, who is buried in the Walcha Cemetery. Nat was a highly skilled drover and bushman who opened up droving routes through central Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Kimberley regions.

There some interesting buildings scattered through the town including the Court House, churches, banks and the Post Office. Langford is a stately home, situated about 1km south of Walcha, which can be viewed from the road.

Visit the Amaroo Museum and Cultural Centre which features artwork by Aboriginal people, screen printing and contemporary clothing with original designs. Open weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (02) 6777 1391.

Research Walcha history or your Walcha relatives at the local history archives and library.

[edit][add listing] Do

• See Walcha’s Golden Gate Campdraft and Rodeo which is run over four days in January each year.

• The New England Merino Field Days (biennial), which display local studs, wool and sheep, are run over two days in January each evenly numbered year.

• Walcha Races are another very popular event, which is held over two days in February each year.

• Walcha Show is an annual three day event conducted in March or April.

• A Timber Expo is held as a biennial event in September.

Other events are the Music Hall, opening of the trout fishing season, pony club events and camp, Walcha Mountain Bikes Team Challenge ridden over 100km, open garden days, Nowendoc Rodeo, Woolbrook Stampede and Woolbrook Spring Fair.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Top quality locally produced handicrafts at the Walcha Craft Centre.

Purchase stud and commercial beef cattle, and Merino sheep from the many breeders in the district. Several annual local weaner sales present excellent opportunities to purchase top quality, large lines of young beef cattle.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Café Graze, 21n Derby St., St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2409. Eat in or takeaway coffee and food.
• Apsley Take Away, 11w Fitzroy St., Telephone:(02) 6777 1000. eat in or takeaway fish and chips, meals, sandwiches.
• Commercial Hotel, cnr. Commercial Lane and Meridian Streets, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2551, E: enquiries@walchapubs.com.au W: [1]; Facsimile: (02) 6777 2555. Top quality restaurant which was a finalist for the AHA Best Country Restaurant Awards in 2001 & 2002 and 2003 - open 7 days lunch, dinner and takeaways.
• Embers Licensed Restaurant, Walcha Motel, 31W Fitzroy St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2599.
• Walcha Chinese Restaurant, 51E Fitzroy St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2026. Open Tu to Sun from 5.30pm.
• Thunderbolt’s Way Cafe, 25E Fitzroy St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2295. Full range of takeaway foods, hot spuds, nachos.
• New Royal Cafe, Fitzroy St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2550. Eat in or takeaway coffe and food.
• Apsley Arms Bistro, 33n Derby St., St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2502; bistro - open 7 days lunch and dinner – pasta, pizza, steak and seafood.
• Walcha West End Store, 106w Fitzroy St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 1423. Eat in or takeaway food and groceries.
• Walcha Road Hotel Restaurant, Wollun & Walcha Rds, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 5829, email at suesann@walcharoadhotel.com , Facsimile: (02) 6777 5933. This is a quality restaurant situated 20km west of Walcha. Snacks, lunch and dinner. Enjoy some local characters, stories, local wine and fine food, or call in on the trip from Bendemeer to Walcha.

Elsewhere in town at one of the town’s two clubs, the Bowling Club or Walcha Ex-Services Memorial Club, which have limited hours of opening.

[edit][add listing] Drink

At one of the town’s three hotels or two clubs.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Anglea House Bed & Breakfast, 3 E Hill St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2187 or 0428 605 459, website: [2]. Bed and Breakfast with a separate bedroom with queen sized bed and ensuite. Living area has a sofa-bed for one child or third adult. The kitchen is fully appointed with hotplates, oven, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, tea & coffee making facilities.’ Cook your own' breakfast provisions are included in tariff and placed in your room at night. Private entrance and undercover parking.

• Walcha Guest House - Bed and Breakfast, 15n Derby Street, Walcha, NSW 2354, Telephone: 02 - 6777 5891. Email: walchaguesthouse@bigpond.com, Website: [3] Located in the historic saddlery next door to Cafe Graze. Ideal for group bookings sleeps up to eight people. Facilities: electric blankets, TV's & DVD & queen size beds in each room, fully equipped kitchen & laundry and lock up garage.

• Walcha Motel, 31 Fitzroy St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2599, E: enquiries@walchamotel.com.au; Facsimile: (02) 6777 1348; website: [4] Rating: ***; 19 rooms, reverse cycle air conditioning, electric blankets, Embers licensed restaurant, all ground floor units. Opening Hours are 7:30am to 8:30pm. Arrival Time 13:00 Departure Time 10:30

• Valley Views Cottage, South Street, Walcha 2354 Phone +61 02 6777 2877, Mobile 0413 905 391, Email algill@northnet.com.au, Arrival Time: 12 Departure Time: 10am, Fax No +61 02 6777 2877. Website: http://www.bbbook.com.au/countrymoodbb.html Charming, chic and comfortable.

• Apsley Arms Hotel, 33n Derby St., St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2502; accommdation; bistro - open 7 days lunch and dinner.

• New England Hotel-Motel, cnr. Fitzroy and Pakington Streets, Walcha, phone: (02) 6777 2532. Ten motel units and budget hotel accommodation. Lock up facilities for bikes.

• Walcha Caravan Park, 113 Middle St, Walcha NSW 2354, Telephone: (02) 6777 2501; Rating: **** Has a fully stocked shop, BBQ area, recently renovated amenities block with under floor heating and piped music, laundry, washing machines and dryer. Cabins, powered sites, drive-through sites, tent sites. Pets welcome (under control).

[edit] Out of town

• Holden's Hideaway Cabin, Table Top, Walcha; Situated 32 kms from Walcha out towards Winterbourne area. Phone or Fax 02 67779194, Secluded cabin on 2,518 acres on the edge of the spectacular Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and the Hole Creek Nature Reserve. Gas stove, fridge/freezer, gas hot water for showers and a four-burner gas BBQ. Cutlery, pots and pans, crockery are all supplied. Within the property, 60 km of 4wd tracks for those with a taste for adventure. Accommodation for up to 10 people in the cabin. Large camping area around the cabin.

• Cheyenne Wilderness Retreat Farm Cottage, Winterbourne Rd, Walcha NSW 2354. From Walcha go north, turn right at the showground, follow the Cheyenne signs for about 35km from town centre to the end of the road. Telephone: (02) 6777 9172, Facsimile: (02) 6777 9117. Self contained in the cottage or fully catered in the homestead guest wing. Rating: *** Website: [5] These buildings are perched on the escarpment of the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and Wilderness Area. Cheyenne, is a working 760 hectares (2000 acres) cattle property.

• Ruby Hills Cabins, Ruby Hills, Walcha. About 15km west of Walcha. Phone:(02)6777 2102, Email: rubyhills@bigpond.com, fax: (02)6777 0009. Self cater groups to 17. Kitchen, dining room, fireplace, TV, hot showers, bunks in authentic shearers’ quarters. View sheep, cattle, working dogs, wildlife. Homestead - clock radio, electric blanket, heating, spa.

• Winterbourne Estate, Cheyenne Rd., Walcha. Directions: From Walcha go north, turn right at the showground, follow the Cheyenne signs for 32km from town centre to the only two storey house on the left side of the road. Phone +61 0428394574, Email enquiries@winterbourneestate.com.au Arrival Time 14:00 Check out: 10:00am, Website: [6] Fax No +61 (02)67771334. Quiet and peaceful accomodation just behind Winterbourne Mountain with hilltop views of the surrounding area. German /Alpine style or international home cooked meals available on request. Facilities: Barbeque, bushwalking trails, cooking facilities, disabled access, laundry facilities, linen provided, meals available, non smoking establishment.

[edit] Contact

The Visitor Information Centre, Fitzroy St., Walcha. Hours are: Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm; weekends 9.30 - 4pm. Phone: (02) 6774 2460; Fax: (02) 6774 2462; Email: council@walcha.nsw.gov.au

[edit] Get out

The spectacular Apsley Falls, which has disabled persons access, about 7 viewing platforms, a gorge rim walk, picnic and camping areas is located 20km east of Walcha on a sealed road. Tia Falls are about 44km east along the Oxley Highway. These falls are part of the 90,000ha Oxley Wild Rivers National Park which is one of the largest National Parks in NSW. The Park contains the scenic Macleay Gorges Wilderness Area and is listed on the World Heritage Register in recognition of its importance to nature conservation.

Riverside is a rare area where one can take a low range 4WD into a wilderness area for a day trip or camping, after paying a fee and obtaining a key at Apsley Motors. Youdale’s Hut is another 4WD destination that is also possible to access after paying a fee and obtaining a key at Apsley Motors.

Werrikimbe National Park, 60km east of Walcha is a pristine wilderness. It's a World Heritage park, wrapped within the dramatic fold of the Great Dividing Range where two rivers, the Forbes and Hastings, begin their journey to the coast. Racecourse Trail runs for 20 km across the top section of Werrikimbe and gives access to the park's highlights. Here you'll see subalpine swamp, heath, snow gums and the soft grey-greens of the cool climate eucalypt forests. In spring, the high country wildflowers alone make this a spectacular drive. There are many other National Parks and Nature Reserves in or near the district, among them: Cottan-bimbang, Nowendoc, Mummel Gulf, Tuggalo Creek and Carrai.

There are many other tourist attractions including scenic 4WD trips, hiking, visiting the State Forests, fishing (mainly for trout) and fossicking opportunities.