The Commercial Hotel, built in 1865

Walcha (including Nowendoc, Woolbrook and Mount Seaview)
Attractive town on the edge of the Northern Tablelands
Walcha (pronounced 'Wolka') is a town of some 1800 people, located in a beautiful area 1067 m above sea-level on the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range at the south-eastern edge of the Northern Tablelands.

It is essentially a service centre to the surrounding area which has traditionally been associated with sheep, wool and cattle, although timber and timber-processing have been of increasing importance to the local economy since World War II.

The area is thought to have been occupied by the Ngayaywana and Dyangadi Aborigines prior to white settlement. In 1818 John Oxley camped beside the Apsley River very near the present townsite en route to the coast. He recorded the event in his diary that day: 'We halted in a fine and spacious valley ... watered by a fine brook, and at a distance of a mile we saw several fires at which appeared many natives.'

The first settler in the New England area was Hamilton Sempill (see entry on Gundy) who took up the 'Wolka' run in 1832, establishing slab huts where 'Langford' now stands. Consequently the hilly country around the present townsite was the first part of the New England tablelands to be explored. Other early runs around the town were Ohio (1836), Orandumbie (1837) and Europambula (1830s).

A road to Port Macquarie (the template of today's Oxley Highway) was constructed in 1842 for the transportation of wool from New England to the coast. A postal service was established in 1851 and the village of Walcha was gazetted in 1852. At that time there was a blacksmith's, a store and a flour mill. A Catholic chapel was erected in 1854, a police station and the first Presbyterian church in 1857 and the Walcha National School in 1859.

In 1861 the population was recorded at 355 and the Anglican church (still standing) was built in 1862. Numbers dropped in the 1860s but the town soon began to grow for two reasons: firstly, cedar-getters were active in the area's rainforests by about 1870 and goldmining began in 1873 at Tia, Glen Morrison and Nowendoc.

In 1878 Walcha was gazetted as a town and a courthouse was built. A rail link opened to the west, at Walcha Road, in 1882. The town became a municipality in 1889.

The timber industry became important after World War II. The first aerial spraying of superphosphates in Australia took place at a local property in 1950. One of the first instances of aerial agriculture in Australia it greatly increased the stock-carrying capacity of the land.

Walcha's Agricultural Show is held each year in February, the biennial Timber Expo in September and, in January, the Walcha Bushmans Carnival and Campdraft.

Things to see:  

Visitors' Centre
The Tourist Information and Telecottage complex is located in the old public school (1882) in Fitzroy St (the Oxley Highway), between Middle and Lagoon Sts. As well as furnishing detailed local information they can tell you about accommodation possibilities, including farmstays and bed-and-breakfasts.

Within the same building is The Walcha Gallery featuring local art works. Admission is free and the opening hours are currently weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., with plans afoot for weekend openings, tel: (02) 6777 1111.

Town Walk- Fitzroy St
Head west along Fitzroy St to Captain Cook Park, a pleasant spot for a picnic on the banks of the Apsley River. Over the road is Fenwicke House, a charming 19th-century terrace house which is now a bed-and-breakfast and cafe, tel: (02) 6777 2713.

Continue westwards along Fitzroy St to the South St intersection, where you will find McHattan Park, a good picnic spot with childrens' play facilities. Here you will find a map detailing the area's highlights. Over the road is The Craft Shop, situated in Walcha's earliest store.

At Fitzroy and Meridian is the ex-serviceman's club, an unsympathetic extension of the town's first bank, the CBC (1876). Turn right into Meridian St where you will find the Commercial Hotel (1860s).

At the corner of Fitzroy and Thee Streets is the Anglican rectory, known as The Vicarage (1879), designed by J. Horbury Hunt, arguably colonial Australia's finest architect. It is now a private home.

South Street
Return east along Fitzroy St and turn left into South St. On a slight hill behind St Andrew's is the original Anglican church (1862-66), built of stone taken from the demolished homestead, 'Villa Walcha', erected on the Wolka run in the 1840s by then-owner David Jamieson. The old church has fine stained-glass windows which bear tribute to the town's pioneers.

At 17N South St is the town's first chemist shop. The adjacent building, 19N, was a residence and saddlery workshop. Both date from the 1860s. Cross Apsley St. To the left is St Patrick's Catholic Church (1881).

Hill Street
Turn right into Hill St. At Hill and Derby is Monument Park where there is a war memorial in a garden setting and another good vantage point. Also at this corner is 'Trefusis', a private home dating from the 1870s.

Pioneer Cottage and Museum Complex
Turn left into Derby St. To the left, opposite Quota Park, is the Pioneer Cottage and Museum Complex, open by appointment only, tel: (02) 6777 1265. There are eight buildings in all. The museum has Aboriginal artefacts and other historic items.

The Pioneer Cottage is a slab house built in 1858 and reconstructed to represent an early settler's home, complete with colonial furnishings. There are old domestic and agricultural tools in the Shed which was originally used as a kitchen. The old school of arts building (1887) features a display of the wool industry. It was originally built at Glen Morrison, a mining settlement 24 km south-west of Walcha, and now houses a shearing machinery, wool presses, fleeces and a photographic display. There is a collection of horse-drawn vehicles and early agricultural equipment in the slab barn, and a slab blacksmith's shop with bellows, forge, anvil, brands and horseshoes.

The Plane Shed contains the 1930 Tiger Moth biplane which was used at a local property in 1950 by A.S. Nivison. This is claimed to be the first time a plane was used to spread superphosphate over crops in Australia. It was a major breakthrough, greatly increased the stock-carrying capacity of local land.

Also within the complex is a stringybark tree with Aboriginal carvings, one of the few surviving examples of a once common feature of the area.

Town Walk Continued
Head south along Derby St to Apsley St where you will find the National Australia Bank, formerly the CBC (1909), James Barnet's brick courthouse (1878 with later timber additions), and the post office (1884).

Amaroo Cultural Centre
Just past the post office is the Amaroo Aboriginal Museum and Cultural Centre which features artwork by Aboriginal people, screen printing and contemporary clothing with original designs. There is also a display of historic artefacts. The centre is intended to educate the community about Aboriginal culture and, to this end, it caters to school groups with participatory activities such as bark painting, jewellery making and storytelling. They are open weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (02) 6777 1391. The Rotary Park adjacent has childrens' play facilities.

Oxley Cairn
About 750 m south of the Derby and Fitzroy St intersection (via Thunderbolt's Way), on the western bank of the Apsley River, is a memorial cairn to John Oxley who camped near here en route to the coast in 1818.

The Oxley Cairn Scenic Walk and Langford
There is a short and very pleasant walk from the cairn to to the A.S. Nivison Lookout at the southern end of Middle St. The walk incorporates scenic views of the town, sections of bushland and Langford House, built c.1900 on the original 'Wolka' run which was established in 1832, making it the first property in the New England area. Langford is a two-storey red-brick mansion with a central three-storey square tower over the portico. The two decorative cast-iron verandahs are connected by a circular iron staircase.

State Forests
Walcha has many quite beautiful state forests in the area, some of which are sketched below. For a map, further details and updates about the conditions of roads and what may be negotiable in a two-wheel drive, visit or phone the Walcha Forestry Office at 19E Hill St, tel: (02) 6777 2511.

Apsley Falls/Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
The falls were discovered by John Oxley in 1818 who wrote of being 'lost in astonishment at the sight of this wonderful sublimity'. They are located in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, an enormous wilderness area situated on the Great Escarpment which divides the tablelands from the coast. Here the New England Plateau drops precipitously into the rugged gorges carved out by the Aspley and upper Macleay Rivers which meander through the park. Numerous private tour operators run excursions into the park. Ring (02) 6773 7211 for further information.

To access the falls head east along the Oxley Highway for 19 km then take the signposted turnoff on the left. At the rest area there is a gorge rim walking track. A 52-m steel stairway leads to an observation deck where there are great views of the deep gorge and the falls which drop 309 m in two stages. The Apsley River Nature Trail is a 1-km circuit track.

Tia Falls/Oxley Park
A further 19 km south-east along the Oxley Highway is another turnoff to the left which leads to the Tia Falls Rest Area which is situated in a charming bush setting with all appropriate facilities. There is a gorge rim walking track with spectacular views and swimming in the warm weather.

Enfield State Forest
48 km south-east of Walcha via the Oxley Highway, there is a turnoff to the right which leads into Enfield State Forest. There you will find Enfield Forestry Camp, where accommodation is available at certain times of the year, and New Country Swamp Forest Park. For further information contact the Walcha Forestry Office, tel: (02) 6777 2511.

Werrikimbe National Park
56 km south-east of Walcha, to the left, is the turnoff into Werrikimbe National Park (Kangaroo Flat Road). The access roads are gravel, serpentine and sometimes steep, so drive slowly and don't bother attempting to take a caravan in. This large remote park has been listed on the World Heritage Register due to its extensive tracts of rainforest.

There are campsites at Cobcrofts and Mooraback. After approximately 20 km Kangaroo Flat Rd brings you to a signposted intersection where you can either take the hard right into Cobcrofts Rd and head south to Cobcrofts Rest Area or keep to the left following Mooraback Rd to the Mooraback Rest Area. The latter is situated on a branch of Mooraback Creek amidst snow gum woodlands. There are several excellent trails. At Cobcrofts the 1500-m Carabeen Track leads through warm temperate rainforest.

If you are experienced and prepared you can also undertake longer and more challenging walks to the Hastings River Gorge, the Upper Falls and the Mesa, tel: (02) 6773 7211.

Mount Seaview
77 km from Walcha, on the Oxley Highway, is Mount Seaview, an attractive, family-oriented holiday resort situated in a valley near the mountain of the same name. The peak was named by John Oxley in 1818 while en route to the coast. In his journal he noted: 'Balboa's ecstasy at the first sight of the Southern Sea could not have been greater than ours when on gaining the summit of this mountain, we beheld old Ocean at our feet; it inspired us with new life, every difficulty vanished and in imagination we were already at home'. Horseriding can be pursued and there are 4WD tours into Werrikimbe National Park.

Woolbrook
If you follow the Oxley Highway west from Walcha (via Fitzroy St) it leads to the old railhead of Walcha Road, and on to Woolbrook and Bendemeer. This section of the highway was constructed in the late 1860s. Woolbrook is situated on the Macdonald River and is a popular swimming and fishing spot. There are picnic facilities.

Winterbourne State Forest
Take Derby St northwards towards Uralla then turn right a short distance from town on to Emu Creek Rd (4WD territory), which leads to Winterbourne State Forest. Ring or visit the Walcha Forestry Office for details, tel: (02) 6777 2511.

Budds Mare Rest Area
Moona Plains Rd (2WD) runs to the right off Emu Creek Rd. 44 km from Walcha is Budds Mare Rest Area, a delightful spot with walking tracks, bush camping and picnicking facilities, toilets, barbecues, a viewing platform and bushwalks to the Apsley River.

Riverside
Beyond Budds Mare, the Moona Plains Rd is strictly 4WD country but it is very beautiful indeed. 6 km brings you to the Apsley River within the remote and unspoilt Macleay Gorges Wilderness Area. Swimming, fishing, bushwalking and canoeing can all be pursued though numbers for camping and day-use are limited so bookings are essential. Ring (02) 6773 7211 or obtain a permit from Apsley Motors in Fitzroy St, Walcha, tel: (02) 6777 2755.

Nowendoc State Forest
The drive south to Nowendoc is really very beautiful and quite scenic. Moreover, the road through to Gloucester will soon be entirely sealed. There are facilities for overnight stays at Goldsmiths Camp although advance bookings are essential, tel: (02) 6777 2511. Nowendoc itself is a tiny village with little more than a shop, a police station and a few houses although the scenic attractions have generated enough custom to warrant a motel.

Koolkuna Berries
For those keen on a country drive, 40 km south-west of Walcha (half of it on gravel roads) at Niangala is a berry farm nestled in some beautiful bushland. You can investigate the workings of the farm, have a picnic, and pick, or just buy, your own fruit, as well as gourmet jams, wine vinegars and traditionally fermented wines, tel (02) 6769 2221.

Tours
Stan's Wild Country Tours can tailor-make visits to the local forests and national parks, trout streams and working shearing sheds, tel: (02) 6777 9106.

Fishing
There are hundreds of kilometres of trout streams around Walcha. The Macdonald River, west of town, is particularly notable. For further information on prospective sites contact the Walcha Visitors' Centre, tel: (02) 6777 1075. Note that the fishing season runs from the October long weekend to the end of the Queen's Birthday long weekend in June.

	Tourist Information
	Walcha Tourist Information Centre 106e Fitzroy St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 1075. Facsimile: (02) 6777 1112 Email: walchatc@northnet.com.au
	Motels
	New England Motel 51E Fitzroy St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2532 Facsimile: (02) 6777 2532 Rating: **
	Nowendoc Country Motel Nowendoc Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 0952 Facsimile: (02) 6777 0952 Email: nowmotel@yahoo.com
	Walcha Motel 31 Fitzroy St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2599 Facsimile: (02) 6777 1348 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Aspley Hotel Derby St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2502
	Commercial Hotel Commercial Lane Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2551 Facsimile: (02) 6777 2555
	New Royal Hotel Fitzroy St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2550
	Walcha Road Hotel Wollun & Walcha Rds Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 5829 Facsimile: (02) 6777 5933
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Buri West Bed & Breakfast Oxley Hwy Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 5897 Rating: ***
	Fenwicke House Bed & Breakfast 23E Fitzroy St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2713 or (02) 6777 2719 Facsimile: (02) 6777 2892 Rating: **1/2
	Country Mood Bed & Breakfast Scrubby Gully Rd Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2877 Facsimile: (02) 6777 2877 Email: algill@northnet.com.au Rating: ***1/2
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Bloomsfields Crossing Farmstay Tabletop Rd Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 9189 Facsimile: (02) 6777 5812
	Cheyenne Wilderness Retreat Farm Cottage Winterbourne Rd Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 9172 Facsimile: (02) 6777 9117 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Walcha Caravan Park 113 Middle St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2501 Rating: ***
	Camping & Other
	Strathleigh Woolbrook Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 5812
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Anglea House 3 E Hill St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2187
	Camping & Other
	Apsley Gorge Oxley Wild Rivers National Park Walcha NSW 2354
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Bloomfield's Crossing 3 E Hill St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 9189 Facsimile: (02) 6777 9188
	Restaurants
	Commercial Hotel Commercial Lane Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2551 Facsimile: (02) 6777 2555
	Embers Licensed Restaurant 31W Fitzroy St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2599
	New England Motel/Hotel Restaurant 51E Fitzroy St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2532
	Camping & Other
	Riverside Wilderness Apsley River Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6776 4260 Facsimile: (02) 6771 1894
	Cottages & Cabins
	Ruby Hills Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2102 Facsimile: (02) 6778 0009
	Restaurants
	Walcha Chinese Restaurant 51E Fitzroy St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2026
	Walcha Motel Restaurant 31 Fitzroy St Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 2599
	Walcha Road Hotel Restaurant Wollun & Walcha Rds Walcha NSW 2354 Telephone: (02) 6777 5829 Facsimile: (02) 6777 5933