Warialda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WarialdaNew South Wales |
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Drovers taking sheep through Warialda
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 Warialda
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 1,120 (2011 census) | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2402 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 320 m (1,050 ft) | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
| LGA(s) | Gwydir Shire | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Northern Tablelands | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Parkes | ||||||||
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Warialda is a friendly town in the North West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia. It's part of Gwydir Shire and sits right by Warialda Creek. In 2011, about 1,120 people lived here.
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Getting Around Warialda
The main road, called the Gwydir Highway, goes right through Warialda. Stephen Street is also a very important road in town.
You can catch a bus from Warialda almost every day (except Tuesdays). These buses connect to Inverell and Tamworth. From Tamworth, you can even catch a train to Sydney!
There are also bus services a few times a week to Grafton and Moree. The bus stop is easy to find, right outside the tourist information centre.
Warialda also has a train station, but it's a little outside the main town. This area is known as Warialda Rail.
Warialda's Past
The first people to live in this area were the Weraerai Aboriginals. The first European visitor was Allan Cunningham in 1827.
The town started growing in 1837. A special police outpost was set up in 1840 to keep the area safe. Warialda officially became a town in 1847, making it the first town in the Northwest Slopes region.
Warialda was once the main town for the Yallaroi Shire. Later, it joined with the Bingara Shire to form the Gwydir Shire we know today. The Warialda Post Office opened way back in 1848. The town's first newspaper, the Warialda Standard, started in 1896 and is still printed today!
Famous People from Warialda
Warialda is the birthplace of Elizabeth Kenny. She was a world-famous nurse who helped many people with poliomyelitis, a serious illness. The special bowl used for her baptism is still used in the local Church of England.
Another famous person from Warialda is Olive Fitzhardinge. She was born in 1881 and became well-known for growing beautiful roses in the 1930s. One of her most famous roses was even named 'Warrawee'.
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1921 | 848 | — |
| 1933 | — | |
| 1947 | — | |
| 1954 | 1,254 | — |
| 1961 | 1,294 | +3.2% |
| 1966 | 1,324 | +2.3% |
| 1971 | 1,294 | −2.3% |
| 1976 | 1,264 | −2.3% |
| 1981 | 1,340 | +6.0% |
| 1986 | 1,335 | −0.4% |
| 1991 | 1,285 | −3.7% |
| 1996 | 1,287 | +0.2% |
| 2001 | 1,198 | −6.9% |
| 2006 | 1,206 | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 1,120 | −7.1% |
| 2016 | 1,186 | +5.9% |
| 2021 | 1,130 | −4.7% |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data. | ||
What Warialda Does
Warialda is a hub for the farms around it. Farmers here grow wheat, sorghum, and barley. They also raise sheep and beef cattle. Some locals even hunt wild pigs, which are sent to other countries like Germany.
The town also has great schools and learning centres. There are preschools, public schools, a Catholic primary school, and TAFE centres for older students.
So, the main jobs in Warialda are in farming, health care, and education. These industries help support many local businesses like supermarkets, cafes, and shops.
Churches in Warialda
Warialda has several churches. You can find Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, and Uniting Churches here. The Anglican and Catholic churches are close to the Gwydir Highway.
Anglican Church
St. Simon's & St. Jude's Anglican Church was built in 1966. It has a special baptism area called the Sister Elizabeth Kenny Memorial Baptistry. This is a tribute to Elizabeth Kenny, who was born in Warialda and did amazing work helping people with Polio.
Catholic Church
St. Patrick's Catholic Church is located at 29 Geddes Street.
Presbyterian Church
St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church has beautiful stained glass windows. They show a scene of "The Good Shepherd" from the Bible, but with an Australian twist!
The house next to the church, called the Manse, is very old. It was built using stones from the town's original jail. You can even see old messages carved into the stones from the prisoners!
Learning in Warialda
Warialda has good schools for all ages.
- Warialda Public School opened in 1851.
- Warialda High School is known as a "Centre for Excellence."
- St Joseph's Catholic School teaches students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
Sports in Warialda
The Warialda Wombats are a very successful rugby league team. They have won 12 championships in their league!
Two famous rugby league players, Noel Cleal and his brother Les, grew up in Warialda. They both played for big teams in Sydney.
Fun Places to Visit
Between Warialda and Inverell, you can visit a cool spot called Cranky Rock. It's a popular place for picnics. There's a local story that a Chinese man jumped off Cranky Rock long ago while being chased by police.
Warialda Festivals
Warialda holds a fun Honey Festival regularly! It started in 2008. The festival has music, market stalls, and yummy food. The best part is a colourful street parade with floats made by local groups. It's a sweet way to celebrate the town!
