Narrabri Historical Creek Walk
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a hat and sunscreen and, take along a cool drink. cool a along take and, sunscreen and hat a 2 hours to complete. In summer it is advisable to wear wear to advisable is it summer In complete. to hours 2 approximately take will and kilometres 4 is walk The MAP NOT TO SCALE TO NOT MAP CAMERON STREET CAMERON VIOLET STREET SELINA STREET SELINA 13. 13. VIOLET STREET BRIDGE STREET VIOLET 6. PRETTY BIRD TREE BIRD PRETTY 7. 7. COLLINS PARK COLLINS 15. SPORTING WALL OF FAME OF WALL SPORTING 8. THE PALMS THE 5. 5. THE RACEY THE OVAL OVAL 2. 2. YOUTH SHACK YOUTH PARK HOGAN LEITCH COLLINS COLLINS 14. 14. TOWN CLOCK TOWN 4. CROSSING THEATRE CROSSING 10. CADE MEMORIAL GATES MEMORIAL CADE TIBBEREENA STREET TIBBEREENA 9. 9. 12. CRICKET SIGHT BOARDS SIGHT CRICKET BIG SKY CARAVAN PARK CARAVAN SKY BIG START HERE START 1. VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE INFORMATION VISITOR 11. 11. NARRABRI AQUATIC CENTRE AQUATIC NARRABRI 3. MAJOR MITCHELL PLAQUE MITCHELL MAJOR discover VISITOR our region INFORMATION self guided This walk forms part of our #NarrabriRegion Tourism Trails. HISTORICALTower Clock Hall Town NARRABRI VISITOR CENTRE Walk Historical You can now experience it Creek Narrabri through text, image and audio Newell Highway, Narrabri NSW 2390 WALK of the on your mobile device. P: (02) 6799 6760 F: (02) 6799 6766 You’re in the zone! the in You’re Points of interest are zoned with E: [email protected] NARRABRI CREEK iBeacon GPS technology, once in W: www.visitnarrabri.com.au zone proximity, the device will alert and provide information of significance. of significance. of information provide and alert will device the proximity, zone iBeacon GPS technology GPS iBeacon , once in in once , W: www.visitnarrabri.com.au W: NARRABRI CREEK NARRABRI interest of Points are zoned with zoned are You’re in the zone! [email protected] E: P: (02) 6799 6760 F: (02) 6799 6766 6766 6799 (02) F: 6760 6799 (02) P: on your mobile device. device. mobile your on Newell Highway, Narrabri NSW 2390 2390 NSW Narrabri Highway, Newell WALK of the of Narrabri Creek audio and image text, through it experience now can You Historical Walk CENTRE VISITOR NARRABRI HISTORICAL Town Hall Clock Tower HISTORICAL Trails. Tourism #NarrabriRegion This walk forms part of our our of part forms walk This self guided self INFORMATION our region our discover VISITOR VISITOR 3. MAJOR MITCHELL PLAQUE 11. NARRABRI AQUATIC CENTRE 1. VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE START HERE 9. CRICKET SIGHT BOARDS 12. BIG SKY CARAVAN PARK TIBBEREENA STREET 10. CADE MEMORIAL GATES 4. CROSSING THEATRE 14. TOWN CLOCK LEITCH HOGAN COLLINS 2. YOUTH SHACK OVAL OVAL PARK 5. THE RACEY 8. THE PALMS 15. SPORTING WALL OF FAME 7. COLLINS PARK 6. PRETTY BIRD TREE 13. VIOLET STREET BRIDGE SELINA STREET VIOLET STREET CAMERON STREET MAP NOT TO SCALE The walk is 4 kilometres and will take approximately 2 hours to complete. In summer it is advisable to wear a hat and sunscreen and, take along a cool drink. 11 Narrabri Aquatic Centre INTRODUCTION Formerly the Olympic Swimming Pool. Although residents were convinced of the need to construct a town swimming THE NARRABRI CREEK HISTORICAL WALK gives you facility as early as 1900, it was not until 1910 that a the opportunity to take a stroll along one of the most swimming club was formed and Council gave permission important elements of Narrabri Shire’s survival - the for baths to be erected in the creek at a site near Narrabri Narrabri Creek. Creek Bridge. This walk meanders through Narrabri’s Sporting Mile, our A push for a formal swimming pool began in 1911, but it shady park lands and along the scenic calm waters of the wasn’t until much later that Mayor Athol Gleeson became Narrabri Creek. The complete walk is 4 kilometres and the driving force behind the concept. At one time he staged will take approximately 2 hours to complete. In summer it a highly successful Narrabri Ball at Sydney Town Hall to is advisable to wear a hat and sunscreen and take along help raise funds. The pool was opened by Olympic Gold a cool drink. medallist and record Breaker Lorraine Crapp in 1958 and was the training venue for local 1976 Olympian, Nira Stove. After many years of service the old pool was replaced with the present Aquatic Centre which opened on June 5th 2013. 5 The Racey DID YOU KNOW that the pool was male only as swimming 1 Narrabri Shire Visitor Centre was segregated, until around 1920 when mixed bathing The Racey refers to a shallow expanse of water in the creek The Centre is a Level 2 Accredited VIC, and is part of the was allowed. The ladies formed their own club in 1911 and behind the current Crossing Theatre, so named because settled for a sandy spot further downstream to allow them Australian-wide AVIC network. It is housed in the former race horses were once exercised there. Australian Cotton Centre which was constructed in 2002 some modicum of privacy. and operated by the Narrabri Shire Council. Tourism was These quiet waters were used as a swimming area, recognised as a viable industry for Narrabri Shire in 1975 and particularly by children, before the Olympic Pool was opened in 1958. Look across the Creek and you can see the in 2017 Tourism was valued at $55 million. 12 Narrabri Golf Club and further down on your right hand side Big Sky Caravan Park A trip inside is an experience in itself. The Centre is brimming the Narrabri Hospital, newly built in 2011. This site is owned and controlled by the Shire and is leased with fascinating information, delicious local and regional out as a business. A great place for people to spend a few produce, and displays that will impress and captivate you. days relaxing on the bank of the Narrabri Creek in quiet Here you can learn about the district’s best attractions, comfort and perhaps throw a line in while they enjoy the discover local history and read about regional farming The Healing Seat scenery. practices. The highlight is a cotton display, which boasts a genuine giant red cotton picker that guests can climb into and “operate”. 6 The Pretty Bird Tree Among the local and regional produce inside are: Lindy’s FISHING Remains of the Pretty Bird Tree on the bank of the Narrabri Marinated Sundried Tomatoes, Cotton Seed oil products, Creek behind Hogan’s sporting oval. So named because of The Namoi River meanders gently through the Shire from olives and olive oils, Nelson’s Honey, Tall Poppy Gourmet the pretty birds that chose to rest in its branches. Boggabri to Pilliga with many top class fishing spots on relishes and dressings, Lively Linseed mixes, Rosie’s Honey the way. One such location is right in Narrabri along the Mustard Dressing, The Spice Trading Company spice and dip A favourite meeting place of past Kamilaroi people - where banks of the Narrabri Creek. Whether you head down past mixes, Treasured Traditions they would meet for a ‘yabba up’. At one time there the Violet Street bridge or just pick a spot off Cameron jams, Murrungundy was a plaque on the tree but it was mysteriously Park, the accessibility of this area accounts for much of its Pistachios and Pilliga removed and has not been seen since. popularity. For further information or to collect a fishing Pottery. When the tree died it was cut down and the stump map call into the Narrabri Shire Visitor Information Centre. You will also find a fantastic was cut in the shape of a seat, so people could sit selection of souvenirs to and watch the waters of the Narrabri Creek. The remind you of your time in song came later. It apparently no longer holds the Shire. From hat pins, the significant place it once held for the local 13 caps, collectible spoons and Indigenous people. Violet Street Bridge stickers to thermos mugs, Continue past the Big Sky Caravan Park and turn right over DID YOU KNOW that Aboriginal artist L.J Hill has drink bottles, t-shirts and the Violet Street Low Level Bridge, built as a by-pass until written and produced the captivating song, Pretty trendy canvas prints. We completion of the new Creek Bridge in 1977 for a pleasant Bird Tree, in dedication to this scared Indigenous also have a stylish range of stroll back along the river bank (which was once Chinese place. It is through this track that Hill’s skill as a songwriter Linen Press stationery, tea towels, mugs, aprons, tote and Gardens) and under the Creek Bridge to Cameron Park. truley shines. Without a hint of apology or recrimination, Hill shopper bags, double and single oven mitts, and pot holders Named after the Cameron family who donated the land. evokes a gathering spot on the banks of the Namoi where in botanical, maritime, blue wren, chicken and coloured Koori, fringe dwellers and whites would come to drink and The popular Gypsy Willow Markets are held here on the first themes. For the little ones, you will find a bounty of soft toys spin yarns. “The Pretty Bird Tree, that was a sacred place,” Saturday of each month. This area of the creek is a popular and other fun souvenirs, as well as a FREE Narrabri Shire fishing spot for Golden Perch and Murray Cod. activity book that will entertain them during your journey. Hill whispers. Take the footpath back over the new Creek Bridge and turn left into Tibbereena Street past Leitch and Hogan ovals.