A large sheep beside the road in Guyra promotes the lamb and potato industries in the New England area

Guyra
Quiet town in the New England area
At 1320 metres above sea-level Guyra is the most elevated town of the New England Tablelands. Located 38 km north of Armidale, 563 km north-north-east of Sydney and 427 km south-west of Brisbane it has a population of 2000 people. Only some 15 km from Chandler's Peak (1471 m), which is visible from parts of town, it is certainly not uncommon to see snow in Guyra during the winter months. The town's economic basis as a service centre for the surrounding wool, beef, potato and fat lambs district is recognised in the annual Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival, held in late January.

Guyra is situated on the watershed of the Great Dividing Range which runs through the centre of the town. Rain which falls to the east flows to the Pacific Ocean and that to the west makes its way south into the Darling River and on to the Southern Ocean.

The area is thought to have been occupied by the Anaiwan Aborigines prior to white settlement. The town's name derives from an Aboriginal term though its meaning is uncertain.

Peter McIntyre (see entry on Aberdeen) is said to have occupied the land around the townsite in 1836. At any rate his brother Donald was listed as the lessee of the 'Gyra' property by 1840. 'Ollera', north-west of town, was selected in 1838 (see entry in 'Things to See').

By 1848 Guyra had extended to 15 000 acres and was leased by Charles Marsh. However the town did not come into existence until the railway arrived in the 1880s. Consequently the area was opened up to selectors with 40-acre farms surveyed around the present townsite but these proved untenable and the wealthier farmers bought up the land consolidating it into larger blocks. The village was gazetted in 1885.

Snow on the Post Office - winter in Guyra

Dairying was a major economic activity at the end of the 19th century but potatoes proved a more enduring staple of the local economy.

Annual events include the Lamb and Potato Festival in January, the Guyra Show and Clay Target Competition in February, the Guyra Cup Horse Race in March, the Grand Parade and Historical Racing Car Rally in April, the Guyra Gun Club Annual Open Competition in July, the NSW Open Shooting Competition and the Rodeo in November.

Things to see:  

Visitors' Centre
Guyra's tourist information outlet is the Crystal Trout Caravan Park on the New England Hwy, tel: (02) 6779 1241. They are located at the southern end of town, to the right if you are approaching from the south.

Museum
Guyra Historical Museum in Bradley St is open at any time by appointment, tel: (02) 6779 2132. They have artefacts and a photographic collection relating to the district. There is a $2 entry charge.

Railway Station Display
Some of the museum's collection of antique machinery is housed at the old railway station in Bradley St. Some of the collection is open to general display but other items are locked away in the goods shed and can be seen by appointment, tel: (02) 6779 2132.

Mother of Ducks Lagoon
The Mother of Ducks Lagoon is a freshwater swamp at the western edge of town. It is, in fact, a volcanic crater with a circumference of 14 km. The lagoon is a breeding and feeding habitat for waterbirds such as the eastern swamp hen, black swan, Japanese snipe, black duck, straw-necked ibis and grass whistling duck. It is best seen in the wet season as the water-level can be low at times.

Bookshop
Albert's Secondhand Bookshop is located at 67 Ollera St, tel: (02) 6779 1434.

Ollera
The Ollera Station, one of the first in the New England area, was selected in 1838 by the Everett brothers who trekked overland from Morpeth and beyond what was then the most northerly settlement in NSW . The name is said to derive from the brother's Aboriginal guide who, when they first neared what the Everetts named George's Creek, after their oldest brother, said: 'See 'im Ollera", meaning 'Look! sweet water'.

The Everetts returned to Sydney to register their selection and then returned laden with their possessions, equipment, supplies and 451 sheep which they purchased along the way. Within hours of their arrival they were robbed of their horses and guns by the bushranging gang of Gentleman Dick. John travelled on foot to the nearest police outpost at Tamworth. Another bushranger, Thunderbolt, raided the station's store in 1867. Another source claims he robbed the home of the superintendent in 1868 and hid out in a cave near The Pinch 11 km south of the present townsite.

The Everetts built a two-roomed slab hut and cleared the land, establishing fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Younger brother Edwin arrived in 1842 with a prize Hereford bull, thus becoming one of the first Hereford producers in the region. They also established dairying with Ayrshire cattle.

Ollera soon became a large, semi-autonomous village with its own bakery, post office, store, bank, school (1862) and church. Masons, journeymen, farriers, shepherds, jobbers, cattle herdsmen, shearers, carpenters and their families were all resident employees with their own houses. There was a medical fund and an amateur theatrical group. A cricket pitch had been established by 1862 and it was the venue for a match with a touring English team in 1885. A wool scouring works was set up in 1895.

By 1877 the property covered 74 000 acres with 46 000 sheep and 4000 cattle. Now consisting of 5000 acres it is still owned by Bill and Lynda Skipper, descendants of the Everetts. The rural history of Australia is, in effect, documented in the property's heritage display, featuring not only the architecture but horse-drawn and early motor vehicles, early steam engines used to power shearing equipment and domestic items.

There is a large brick and timber manor house on the property dating back to 1870 with extensive Edwardian additions made in the early twentieth century, including a fine sunburst gable over projecting bay windows. Some of the slab outbuildings date from the 1850s and are still in use. They include stores, carriage sheds, cottages, stables and a large woolshed made of trimmed tree trunks and galvanised iron. The blacksmith's shop with its huge leather bellows is still in working order and the property store, with its cedar counters, has been turned into a museum containing artefacts collected on the property over 160 years.

Saint Bartholomew's Church of England is a small rural brick church designed by distinguished colonial architect J.Horbury Hunt and built of handmade and locally-fired bricks in 1876-77 for the usage of employees. The cemetery was established in 1843 and is still open to the descendants of the original pioneers, including veterans of the Battle of Waterloo, a poet laureate, and Sister Kenny. Another interesting grave is that of a bullock dray driver who always travelled with his coffin. It is said that he insisted that whereever he died the locals would have to put his body in the coffin and return it to Ollera. This was done.

Recently described by an academic as an 'unusual and interesting' rural complex of high heritage value Ollera is a living museum and is truly one of the area's highlights. A visit is not a self-guided trek through another country museum which displays history coldly and without context. The Skippers give generously of their time and effort. Morning teas and a period picnic in the beautiful English gardens with quality country cooking are part of the service, which includes an educational guided tour of the outbuildings and an oral history of the station's persons and significant events. The property is definitely only open by appointment and only to groups, tel: (02) 6779 4566. Visitors should allow about four hours. All monies are aimed at restoration projects on the property. To get there head west out of town along the road to Tingha and Inverell. After 18 km there is a left turn on to the Ollera and Tenterden Road (bitumen). The property is 2 km along this road.

Baxter's Farm Museum
Baxter's Farm Museum has a large and diverse array of historic items, large and small. There are domestic items, farm machinery, a bottle collection, arts and crafts and, by prior arrangement, Devonshire teas. The gardens are at their best in spring and summer. Admission is $2.50 for adults and $1 for children, tel: (02) 6779 4535.

Head west out of town along the road to Tingha and Inverell. After 18 km there is a left turn on to the Tenterden Road (bitumen). After a further 10 km you will come to the locality of Tenterden where there is an old country church. Just past it turn right on to the Moredun Dams Rd (gravel) and it is another 5 km to Baxter's (watch for the mailbox with a white triangle on the left).

Moredun Ponds
If you continue past Baxter's for just a couple of kilometres you will come to the old Moredun Dam site, Tingha's water supply early in the twentieth century. Today it is the Moredun Ponds Fish Farm where you can see, feed or catch yellowbelly, cod and silver perch. There is fishing gear for hire. You can have a picnic or barbecue amidst pleasant surroundings, camp out or stay in the cabins, tel: (02) 6779 4500.

Fishing
The area around Guyra is good for those interested in trout fishing. You can try your luck in just about any of the creeks and waterways. One recommended excursion is to head north-west along the Tingha Rd for 16 km then turn left into the Old Armidale Rd. Sandy Creek is crossed after 4 km then the Ollera and Moredun Creeks. Continue on to the Guyra-Baldersleigh Rd and turn right heading west for 6 km where you will again encounter Sandy Creek.

Llangothlin and Little Llangothlin
11 km north of Guyra is a tiny village known as Llangothlin where you will find Llangothlin Handcraft Hall on the highway.

To the north-east is the Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve, a high altitude wetland which is ideal for birdwatchers and nature lovers. It is rife with waterbirds and bush birds, particularly rosellas. There are plenty of dead logs which serve as nesting hollows.

From Llangothlin village proceed north for another 5 km along the highway then turn right into the Tubbamurra Rd. After 3 km turn left into Bagot Rd which runs along the western side of the lagoon. The entry point is along this road. For further information ring the Glen Innes office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, tel: 02-6732 5133.

	Lodges & Chalets
	Dunmore Trout Waters Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 4210
	Tourist Information
	Guyra Tourist Information Outlet The Manse Gallery New England Hwy Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 1206 Facsimile: (02) 6779 1221
	Motels
	Guyra Park Motel New England Hwy Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 1022 Facsimile: (02) 6779 1904 Rating: ***
	Shiralee Motel New England Hwy Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 1380 Facsimile: (02) 6779 1333 Rating: ***1/2
	Hotels
	Guyra Hotel 88 Bradley St Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 1811
	Royal Hotel Bradley St Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 1005
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Cabarfeidh Farmstay Cottage Inverell Rd (20km W Guyra) Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 4235, or (02) 6779 4243
	Greenslopes Farmstay and B & B Green Hills Road Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (0428) 791 397
	Cottages & Cabins
	Milani Trout Cottage Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6775 5735 Facsimile: (02) 6775 5735
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Silent Grove B&B Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6733 2117 Facsimile: (02) 6733 2117 Rating: ***
	Silent Grove B&B "Yoolimba" Ben Lomond Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 4216 Facsimile: (02) 6779 4266
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Silent Grove Farmstay Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6733 2117 Facsimile: (02) 6733 2117 Rating: **1/2
	Caravan Parks
	Crystal Trout Caravan Park New England Hwy Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 1241
	Restaurants
	Guyra Chinese Restaurant Golf Club St Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 2011
	Guyra Motel Restaurant New England Hwy Guyra NSW 2365 Telephone: (02) 6779 1022