Located in the North West Slopes region of New South Wales, Quirindi is a small rural town dependant on the surrounding agriculture. We stopped here on our way home from Gunnedah, 83 km to the north so that we could see some of the interesting attractions in the town.
Parking at the railway station on George Street we walked around the centre of the town, which has some nice old buildings and a beautiful clock tower/war memorial. Next to where we parked, an agricultural supplier has decorated their building in street art, making it look amazing.
Stock Brands of the Liverpool Plains
One of the more unusual attractions are the pavers along George Street. Detailing the stock brands of 30 original cattle runs on the Liverpool Plains are a unique and fascinating attraction.
Joseph and Jacob Creek Railway Bridge
Our final stop was the railway bridge over Joseph and Jacob Creek because of its painted supports. A small walking track leads down from the main street to the bridge, where we could walk up to the bridge because of the low water level. Decorated in Aboriginal and rural themes they are very well done making them worth the small detour to see.
What Did We Think?
Quirindi was a great little town with some unique attractions like the Livestock Brands and decorated bridge. Unfortunately we visited late in the day as other attractions such as the museum and Bob’s Shed were closed. Even so we had a good time and enjoyed visiting.
War MemorialGeorge St. QuirindiHeritage MotelClock Tower and War MemorialClock Tower and War MemorialSteam Traction EngineStreet Art “An Irrigated Crop Invaded by Stock”Street ArtArtwork on the railway bridge over Jacob and Joseph CreekJacob and Joseph Creek railway bridge artworkArtwork on the railway bridge over Jacob and Joseph CreekArtwork on the railway bridge over Jacob and Joseph CreekRailway bridge over Jacob and Joseph Creek1955 Flood Information BoardTrinkey Livestock BrandPremier Livestock BrandLivestock BrandLivestock BrandMooki Springs BrandLivestock BrandLivestock BrandRural Protest Art
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Arriving at the museum we were greeted by a happy volunteer who gave us a map of the layout and told us to help ourselves to a tea or coffee.
With our travels we have found rural museums occupy old houses, so are quite small. Not the Gunnedah Rural Museum, it takes up several large industrial size sheds with its huge collection. Its extensive collection covers farm equipment like tractors and harvesters, cars, old children’s’ toys, old household goods and a Coca Cola bottle collection. There was even an old dentist’s chair. Walking around, you would think no one in Gunnedah had ever thrown anything out.
If you are interested in rural life in Australia from the late 1800s to late 1900s this is a fantastic place to visit. We particularly liked the tractor and car collection, as they were extensive and in good condition. The museum also has a model railway out the front for rail enthusiasts. We really enjoyed this laid back huge museum.
Old Telephone CollectionGas lightKitchen appliancesMeat Safe for keeping flies off meat before refrigerationRadios and TVChildren’s ToysLawn Mowers1957 Caterpillar D4 bulldozerTractorsTractorsSteam enginesSteam EngineTwo Volkswagen BeetlesThree ZephyrsPetrol PumpTelephone BoxCoca Cola Collection
The centre for local outdoor sports like football, netball cricket and hockey, Maitland Park also has some interesting memorials scattered around its grounds. Located in the New South Wales Hunter Valley two hours north of Sydney, plenty of parking makes access easy.
Robins Oval
St. Pauls’ Church
The largest place of interest was the old St. Pauls’ Church, which although no longer a consecrated church still looks good. We liked the tower because of the elevated doorway entrance. Now a pre-school, the local community still gets good use out of this old building.
St. Pauls Church Now a Childcare and Pre-School CentreSt. Pauls Church Now a Childcare and Pre-School CentreSt. Pauls Church Now a Childcare and Pre-School Centre
Richard Alexander Young Memorial
Commemorating the public service of Richard Alexander Young, who died suddenly aged 43 in 1893 this red brick folly shows the high esteem he was held in by the local community. It’s great to see it in such good condition after more than 120 years.
Richard Alexander Young Memorial
James Wolstenholme Memorial
Erected in 1912 to commemorate the charitable works of James Wolstenholme, this memorial originally stood in High Street, where it also served as a drinking fountain. Although the drinking fountain no longer works it still reminds those who look of the man’s good deeds. Unfortunately, it has not survived as well as the Richard Alexander Young Memorial located nearby and is in need of restoration.
James Wolstenholme Memorial
Maitland Fallen Soldiers Memorial
Officially unveiled on 25 April 1923 (ANZAC Day) to commemorated servicemen from Maitland who were killed in World War One, the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial is the largest in the park.
Since its unveiling, memorial walls added to either side commemorate other conflicts Australia has been involved in. This beautiful memorial has a winged female figure with an upraised sword in marble on top of a column.
Along with other memorials in the park, it’s interesting to see how they have evolved over time.
Maitland Fallen Soldiers Memorial
Maitland Fallen Soldiers Memorial
South African (Boer) War Memorial
Originally dedicated to the memory of the volunteers from Maitland and surrounding towns who fought in the Boer War, especially the 13 volunteers killed in action this memorial is next to the Aquatic Centre. Later additions to the memorial recognise the suffering of Afrikaner civilians and African Natives who died in the Concentration Camps in addition to the combatants. During the conflict over 56,000 men, women and children died in the concentration camps.
Recognising the huge impact on the Afrikaner and native populations in addition to the combatants demonstrates how Australians’ understanding of the war changed with time.
South African (Boer) War Memorial
National Service Memorial
Located under a shady tree and fixed to a large boulder, this memorial commemorates those who undertook National Service in the Australian Defence Forces from 1951 to 1972.
Of the 288,000 who undertook training, 212 died on active service in Borneo and Vietnam.
National Service Memorial
Millennium Sun Dial
Placed in Maitland Park to celebrate the millennium, the Millennium Sundial also contains a time capsule to be opened in 2101.
Millennium Sun Dial
Sandakan Prisoner of War Memorial
This memorial commemorates the single worst atrocity suffered by Australian servicemen during the Second World War. The working conditions at Sandakan and Ranau camps in North Borneo and subsequent the death march resulted in the deaths of 2,434 prisoners of war. Over 1800 were members of the 8th Division AIF. Only six prisoners survived, all of whom escaped and were assisted by locals.
Representing a relief of the local terrain in Borneo, the memorial shows the march the prisoners were forced to make.
Sandakan Prisoner of War MemorialSandakan Prisoner of War Memorial
What Did We Think of Maitland Park?
This was an interesting park to walk around, because of the interesting memorials. It was interesting to see how several evolved over time, due to changing public awareness and the involvement in other wars.
It was also interesting to see how a well thought of person like James Wolstenholme is now virtually unknown and had their memorial moved from the main street.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
