Bingara & Warialda's Lifestyle
Gwydir Shire Council’s slogan ‘Living the Gwydir Good Life’ reflects the strong love and passion its residents have for the region and locals use the catch cry proudly and often. It might be when they are enjoying an ice-cold beer at sunset or floating down a river on a kayak on an idyllic summer day.
It is the wide-open spaces, the endless skies and the carefree and relaxed lifestyle that has our residents convinced that we live in a little slice of paradise, and visitors coming back time and time again.
Every night across the district, in our welcoming pubs, bowling and RSL clubs and taverns, you can enjoy raffles, trivia, live music, DJs and regular social events.
There’s always something fabulous happening, either in town or in one of our delightful surrounding villages, popular annual events include the Bingara Orange Festival, the Warialda Honey Festival, Warialda Off Road, Gwydir Graze and the Upper Horton Campdraft and Rodeo.
Key attractions
Walking tours taking in the historic buildings of Bingara and Warialda is the perfect way to get to know the history of the towns. Warialda is the oldest established government town in the region, with buildings dating back to the 1880's.
The Living Classroom project is transforming 150 hectares of degraded town common into a highly productive and visually beautiful forest of food, by combining a wide range of complementary agricultural activities with horticulture, aquaculture and forestry. It aims to provide inspiration and know-how for the next generation of farmers and the regeneration of rural communities. The beautiful site, including the Centre for Regenerative Agriculture and the Carbon Farm is open all year round.
The Roxy Theatre and Greek Cafe was built by three Greek partners from the island of Kythera as a magnificent art deco cinema with an adjoining café, the theatre operated until 1958, after which it was closed and left untouched for forty years. Beautifully and faithfully restored to its former glory in 2004 and now open to the public as a cinema, performing arts venue and multi-purpose function centre.
Bingara's Sapphire Salt Cave is a quiet, gently lit space to relax and reflect whilst breathing in the warm, salty air dispersed by the state-of-the-art halogenerator. A salt cave experience is similar to being at the ocean; the fine salt molecules help to cleanse and clear feelings of congestion, providing a sense of well-being and rejuvenation.
Fun and Fitness
Both Bingara and Warialda have public pools for those who like a swim to help stay fit. Tranquil walking trails abound and both towns features 24-hour fitness centres.
Fossicking - Both Warialda and Bingara offer excellent opportunities for the amateur fossicker. Try your luck at finding jasper, agate, quartz and petrified wood at Tiger’s Gap, 5km east of Warialda and learn the correct techniques to pan for gold and sieve for gemstones at Three Creeks Gold Mine (below) at Upper Bingara.
Cranky Rock Recreation Reserve - A popular beauty spot for locals and visitors alike featuring a jumble of huge granite boulders naturally heaped and balanced above the tranquil waterholes of Reedy Creek below. Cranky Rock is known as a special place of significance for early Aboriginal People, being used as a location to settle disputes and perform ceremonies.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet people and there are a variety of local organisations who are ready and waiting to welcome new members, a number of these include:
- Warialda Apex Club 02 6729 1905