Entering Coonabarabran across the Castlereagh River

Coonabarabran
Substantial rural service centre known as the 'Gateway to the Warrumbungles' - a beautiful range of mountains in the Central West.
Coonabarabran is known as the 'Gateway to the Warrumbungles', a mountain range which arcs around the town to the west, north and east. Much of it is a popular national park.

Essentially a quiet and attractive country town of 2900 people on the Castlereagh River, Coonabarabran is 451 km north-west of Sydney between Gilgandra and Gunnedah and 509 m above sea-level.

Wool and wheat are the economic mainstays of the town though it has capitalised on tourism provided by its proximity to the Warrumbungles. There is also a strong timber industry based in the Pilliga Scrub to the north-west.

The town's name derives from the language of the Kamilaroi people who inhabited the area prior to white settlement, though its meaning is now highly uncertain.

The first European to discover the Castlereagh River was George Evans, a member of John Oxley's 1818 party which passed 25 km to the north during the expedition which led to the European discovery of the Liverpool Plains.

The 'Cooleburbaran' sheep run was established in 1836 and, in the late 1840s, became known as 'Coolabarabyan' when it was owned by James Weston who grew wheat and established a mill. By 1848 a man named William Field owned the land opposite on the northern bank of the river.

The park beside the Castlereagh River

The two men had selected land around a river crossing on the 'Old Wool Road' which joined the inland to the river port of Morpeth. When settlement of Queensland proceeded, the wool trade from the north also crossed the river at this point. Both men realised the potential of the site and each established a store and hotel on opposite sides of the crossing.

Other buildings developed, including a blacksmith's, a Presbyterian school and a post office which opened in 1850. A small police force was posted to the town as early as 1857. A survey of the townsite was conducted in 1859 and land sales proceeded in 1860 when the first courthouse and lock-up were built.

Australia's only Chinese bushranger, Sam Poo, was active in the district in 1865 but was caught and hung that year after killing a police officer.

A public school was built in 1870. The following year the population was still only 163 but it more than doubled in the 1870s. All of the major religious denominations built churches in the course of the decade. Cobb and Co established a coach service through the town in 1876. A shire hall, sawmill and newspaper were established the next year, and a new sandstone courthouse was built in 1878.

Further expansion occurred in the 1880s with improved roads and services, new and more specialised stores, banks, the establishment of the local agricultural show and a bridge over the Castlereagh in 1885 (replaced in 1926), though drought followed by a plague of kangaroos and emus caused economic hardship.

After weathering the depression of the 1890s the town became a quiet service centre. A tourist orientation seemed to be in operation by 1904 when Coonabarabran became known as the 'Katoomba of the north west'. This development was enhanced, along with local primary industry, when the railway arrived in 1917.

Australian novelist Kylie Tennant re-met and married her husband while he was teaching at Coonabarabran in 1932. Her novel Tiburon (1935) depicts the town during the Great Depression.

The 10-day Warrumbungle Festival of the Stars is held in October and it focuses on astronomy, the arts and the Aboriginal heritage of the area, with workshops, performances, a rocket-launching evening, Aboriginal artists and storytellers. There is also an Easter Carnival, with markets on Easter Saturday.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The Coonabarabran Visitors' Centre is located on the Newell Highway, tel: 1800 242 881. They can furnish information about local farmstays, horse riding, scenic flights, guided tours and tourist drives and can sell you a Super Nova Ticket, allowing you to see both the Skywatch and Siding Spring Observatories at a discounted price.

Tune to FM 88 for a radio broadcast of local information.

Australian Natural History Museum
A display relating to ancient Australian megafauna, it includes the most complete skeleton in Australia of a diprotodon, the largest known marsupial that has lived. Something like a buffalo-sized wombat, it roamed the area 34 000 years ago. There is also a small local history collection and a display relating to Dreamtime legends. School groups are catered for if advance arrangements are made. The museum is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (02) 6849 2144.

Skywatch Night & Day Observatory
2 km west of the town centre, on the National Park Rd, is the Skywatch Observatory. Its attractions include hands-on usage of powerful telescopes as well as simulated computer games, a theatrette, a pictorial history of astronomy, a special planetarium, a gift shop, snacks and a mini-golf course with an astronomy theme. The observatory is open each day from 10.30 a.m. to late. with night-sky viewing from sundown (astronomy session times vary seasonally), tel: (02) 6842 3303. For more information check out http://www.lisp.com.au./~skywatch

Siding Spring Observatory
24 km west, in the Warrumbungle Range, is Siding Spring Observatory, a complex of international importance which has the largest optical research telescope in Australia (3.9 m). It is a hands-on experience with an interactive exhibition, a theatrette, a science gift shop and cafeteria. They are open from 9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m Monday to Friday. There is a Behind The Scenes Tour at 11.00 a.m. Monday to Friday. For bookings contact, tel: (02) 6842 6211.

Warrumbungle National Park
27 km west of Coonabarabran is Warrumbungle National Park, one of the state's most popular parks. It is easily accessible, has good facilities and provides excellent opportunities for family recreation.

The Warrumbungle Range is a 130-km spur of the Great Dividing Range. Of volcanic origin there are some striking formations made of trachyte - a fast-drying lava which plugs volcanic craters and remains after the softer surrounding cones have eroded, leaving some remarkable ridges, spires and domes; the best-known being the Breadknife, 90 m high and one metre thick.

Before white settlement this area provided shelter and food for the Kamilaroi people. John Oxley was the first European to sight them in 1818.

Splendid wildflowers bloom in spring and early summer. There are 180 species of birds and plenty of other fauna, including koalas and kangaroos.

Soon after you enter the park there is a signposted parking area to the left at the start of the short walking track to the outstanding Whitegum Lookout (1.1 km return). In all there are 30 km of walking tracks of varying lengths, qualities and grades of difficulty. They are outlined in material available from the visitors' centre in the park or at Coonabarabran.

8 km west of the lookout is the visitors' centre which has information relating to the park's lay-out, natural features and accommodation. Fees for all visitors are payable here. It is open from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily, tel: (02) 6825 4364 .

Canyon Camp is a day-use picnic area with free electric barbecues. The discovery program operates throughout the year, particularly in school holidays. It includes ranger-guided walks and activities, Aboriginal cultural walks, children's activities and information and slide evenings.

Crystal Kingdom
Crystal Kingdom houses 'Minerals of the Warrumbungles' - a collection of the world's most colourful and rare zeolite crystals, found locally. There is a huge crystal cave, as well as local fossils and a gift shop which has jewellery, including set and unset gemstones. A guide is on hand to explain the geological history of the Warrumbungles and the development and qualities of the crystals. It is located at the corner of Chappell St (the Oxley Highway) and North St, 500 m north of the bridge, and is open from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, tel: (02) 6842 1927.

Pilliga Pottery
Pilliga Pottery consists of a mudbrick workshop and showrooms and a bush cafe serving Devonshire teas. They are open seven days a week, tel: (02) 6842 2239. Head north-east towards Narrabri on the Newell Highway and take the signposted left 23 km from Coonabarabran.

Hickey's Falls
Hickey's Falls are located at the end of a short walking track which departs from a roadside stop, 42 km south-west of Coonabarabran on the Oxley Highway, en route to Gilgandra. Picnic and barbecue facilities are available.

Sandstone Caves
The caves, formed by the natural erosion of a soft sandstone area. They are located north-west via the Newell Highway tel: (02) 6849 2144 or 1800 242 881.

Pilliga Scrub
The vast cypress pine forests of the Pilliga Scrub lie to the north-west of town (see entry on Baradine). Detailed maps, drinking water and dry weather are a necessity. The maps can be purchased from the Coonabarabran Visitors' Centre.

	Tourist Information
	Coonabarabran Tourist Centre Newell Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1441 Facsimile: (02) 6849 2144
	Motels
	Acacia Motor Lodge Newell Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1922 Facsimile: (02) 6842 2626 Rating: ****
	All Travellers Motor Inn Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1133 Facsimile: (02) 6842 2505 Rating: ***1/2
	Castlereagh Village Newell Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1706
	Castlereagh Village Motel Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1706
	Clock Tower Motor Inn 47 Dalgarno St Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 2444 Facsimile: (02) 6842 2069 Rating: ***1/2
	Country Comfort Motel Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1188 Facsimile: (02) 6842 4239 Rating: ***1/2
	Country Gardens Motel Cnr John & Edwards Sts Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1711 Facsimile: (02) 6842 2664 Rating: ***
	El Paso Motel Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1722 Facsimile: (02) 6842 2673 Rating: ***
	Matthew Flinders Motor Inn Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1766 Facsimile: (02) 6842 1613 Rating: ***1/2
	Poplars Motor Inn Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1522 or 1800 805 450 Facsimile: (02) 6842 1578 Rating: **1/2
	Wagon Wheel Motel Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1860 Facsimile: (02) 6842 1412 Rating: **1/2
	Warrumbungles Mountain Motel National Park Rd Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1832 Facsimile: (02) 6842 2944 Rating: ***
	Coachman's Rest Motor Inn Newell Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 2111 Facsimile: (02) 6842 2152 Rating: ***1/2
	Hotels
	Coonabarabran Hotel John St Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 2640
	Imperial Hotel John St Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1023
	Royal Hotel John St Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1816
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Forest Glen Farm Guesthouse Bingiegrumble Rd Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1970
	Cottages & Cabins
	Brooklyn Cottage Napier Lane Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 8284
	Dalyup Cottage River Rd Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1929 Facsimile: (02) 6842 2875
	Timor Country Cottages National Park Rd Minimum 2 nights Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1055 Facsimile: (02) 6842 1055 Rating: ***1/2
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Brooklyn Cottage (farm) Napier Lane Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 8284
	Dalyup Farm Cottage River Rd Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1929
	Caravan Parks
	John Oxley Caravan Park Newell Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1635 Facsimile: (02) 6842 4788 Rating: **
	Warrumbungles Holiday Camp Timor Rd Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 3400 Facsimile: (02) 6842 3401 Rating: **
	Wayfarer Caravan Park Newell Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1773 Facsimile: (02) 6842 1773 Rating: **1/2
	Camping & Other
	Warrumbungles Holiday Camp National Park Rd Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 3400 Facsimile: (02) 6842 3401 Email: holcamp@telstra.easymail.com.au
	Restaurants
	Coachman's Rest Motor Lodge Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 2111
	Country Comfort Motel Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1188
	Country Gardens Motel Cnr John & Edwards Sts Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1711
	El Paso Motel Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1722
	Golden Fountain Chinese Restaurant 83 John St Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1049
	Golden Sea Dragon Chinese Restaurant 8 John St Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 2388
	Golf Club Chinese Restaurant Golf Club Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 2030
	Gunyah Restaurant Cnr John & Edward Sts Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1711
	Imperial Hotel John St Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1023
	Matthew Flinders Motor Inn Oxley Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1766
	Poplars Motel Oxley-Newell Hwy Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1522
	Roundtable Steakhouse 37 Dalgarno St Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1209
	Royal Hotel John St Coonabarabran NSW 2357 Telephone: (02) 6842 1816