Baradine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BaradineNew South Wales |
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The former Embassy Theatre, now home to a coffee shop
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 Baradine
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 586 (2021 census) | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2396 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 300 m (984 ft) | ||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Warrumbungle Shire | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Barwon | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Parkes | ||||||||
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Baradine is a small town in north-western New South Wales, Australia. It's a friendly place with a rich history. In 2021, about 593 people lived in Baradine.
The town is located on the road between Coonabarabran and Pilliga. It sits next to Baradine Creek, which sometimes flows north from the Warrumbungles mountains.
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History of Baradine
The land around Baradine was first home to the Gamilaroi tribe of Aboriginal peoples. Europeans started settling here in the late 1830s. Baradine became an official village in 1865. Its name likely comes from an Aboriginal word meaning "red wallaby".
One of the first large farms, or 'pastoral runs', was called 'Barradean'. It was started by Andrew Brown for James Walker in the 1830s. This farm was connected to a bigger one called 'Goorianawa'. The Walker family owned 'Barradean' until 1867.
In the early 1860s, a settlement began on the west side of Barradine Creek. This spot was where paths from different farms met. It was also a popular camping ground for people moving goods. In 1862, a special area of 40 acres was set aside for the village. Land sales started in 1865, and by 1866, Baradine village had 30 people. The first hotel opened in the 1860s.
The Baradine Post Office opened on January 1, 1867. A telegraph office also opened in August 1876, which made the local people very happy. By 1899, Baradine had a few hotels, a school, a store, and a post and telegraph office. There were also about a dozen homes. The town was at the edge of a huge forest that stretched far away.
Baradine was once on the Gwabegar railway line. This railway line reached Baradine in 1923. However, the station closed in 1985, and the line north of Binnaway, New South Wales closed in 2005. Baradine is 563 kilometres from Sydney by rail. Today, Baradine is connected by road to Coonabarabran, Walgett, and Coonamble.
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1966 | 751 | — |
| 1971 | 730 | −2.8% |
| 1976 | 756 | +3.6% |
| 1981 | 723 | −4.4% |
| 1986 | 656 | −9.3% |
| 1991 | 657 | +0.2% |
| 1996 | 609 | −7.3% |
| 2001 | 696 | +14.3% |
| 2006 | 593 | −14.8% |
| 2011 | 762 | +28.5% |
| 2016 | 626 | −17.8% |
| 2021 | 586 | −6.4% |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data. | ||
The Pilliga Forest
Baradine is the main town for the Pilliga forest, also known as the Pilliga Scrub. The history of this forest is told in the book A Million Wild Acres by local farmer Eric Rolls.
The Pilliga forest is a huge and special woodland. It's famous for its cypress pine trees, beautiful spring wildflowers, and koalas. It also has many plants that produce honey. Unlike most forests in New South Wales, which are full of eucalypt trees, the Pilliga looks very different.
This large forest stretches across flat, sandy plains. It lies between the Warrumbungle Mountains in the south and the Namoi River in the north. It is the biggest continuous forest area west of the Great Dividing Range. For a long time, people have harvested wood from these forests. They collected termite-resistant white cypress pine and strong ironbark.
Baradine Today
Baradine is part of the Warrumbungle Shire Local Government Area. This area is centered in Coonabarabran. Baradine is a very friendly town with lots to offer both visitors and people who live there.
The town has two hotels where you can stay, a great caravan park, and a Bed & Breakfast. There are also two cafes and a bowling and recreation club with squash courts. A new skate park opened in 2020 at the playing fields. You can also visit an amazing National Parks and Wildlife Discovery Centre.
Baradine has a mechanical workshop and fuel station, a hospital with a medical centre, and a rural supplies store. There's a fantastic IGA supermarket and a chemist. The town also has a seasonal swimming pool, lively Catholic and Anglican churches, a police station, and a post office. For education, there's a pre-school and two schools: St John's Catholic Primary School and Baradine Central School.
Baradine Central School teaches students from Kindergarten all the way to Year 12. Students come from the town, nearby farms, and the villages of Kenebri and Gwabegar. Their Agriculture Program often wins awards at local agricultural shows.
Baradine is in the middle of the Pilliga forest. This forest is known for its Australian white cypress-pine, which is a type of wood that termites don't like. While this wood was harvested a lot in the past, large parts of the forest are now protected. The area is also a great place for bird watching. Local attractions like the Sculptures in the Scrub and the Pilliga Bore Bath (about 70km north) give travelers plenty to do. Baradine also has a long history of farming and grazing.
The Baradine Magpies play in the Castlereagh Cup rugby league competition.
Churches
- Anglican: St Andrew's
- Catholic: St John's
Baradine railway station
| Preceding station | Former Services | Following station | ||
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| Kenebri
towards Gwabegar
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Gwabegar Line | Wittenbra
towards Wallerawang
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The railway station in Baradine closed in 1985. It was taken down shortly after.
Notable people
- Craig Emerson, an Australian economist and former politician.
- Tony Johnston, an Australian television presenter, producer, and radio broadcaster.
