Walcha


The district surrounding Walcha is a significant primary producing area. The Shire is also a well known trout fishing mecca.

Where is it?: 63 km south of Armidale, 93 km east of Tamworth and 435 km north west of Sydney on the Oxley Highway.

Natural attractions abound in the area and include the Apsley Falls located about 20 km east of Walcha just off the Oxley Highway. The first drop of the Falls is about 85 metres in depth, and the second, about half a mile further on, drops around 65 metres to the bottom of the gorge.

Walcha is the southern gateway to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and Werrikimbe National Park, which are registered with Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves. Composing of mainly scenic gorge country, part of it is listed on the register of World Heritage sites in recognition of its importance to nature conservation.

Ebor Falls
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park was World Heritage listed in recognition of the extensive dry rainforest that occurs within the park, and the associated rich biodiversity that includes several rare or threatened plants and animals.

The main rivers in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park are: Apsley River, Macleay River, Chandler River, Tia River, Styx River, Gara River, Yarrowitch River, Oaky River and the Kunderang Brook. There are a number of waterfalls situated throughout the park including: Wollomombi, Apsley Falls, Tia Falls and Dangars Falls as well as numerous cascades. The waterfalls in the park are at their best after rains and the main ones are accessible by car.

Other interesting nearby national parks include: Mummel Gulf National Park and Cottan-Bimbang National Park.



Heritage features: Langford homestead cemetery (1900); Court House (1878); 'Europambela' homestead and outbuildings (1861); 'Ohio' homestead, Ohio Creek (1840s); Pioneer Cottage and Museum (historic biplane); Folk Museum; Presbyterian church (1888); Anglican Church (1862

The Waterfall Way: a tourist drive through national parks, nature reserve, flora reserves and state forests which abound with waterfalls. In among these are some excellent walking trails for all levels of fitness. Ebor Falls, not far from Dorrigo, is where the Guy Fawkes River drops 115 m over columned basalt rock. There are toilets, barbecues, tables and running water and three viewing platforms with sweeping views of the falls and the Macleay Valley. The drives streches from Armidale to Dorrigo.

Apsley Falls

Brief history: The townsite was formerly Nganyaywana and Dyangadi Aboriginal land. Explorer John Oxley passed through the region in 1818. In 1832 the first settlement was started and named Walcha. The name is off Aboriginal origin - three possible meanings have been given: 'sun', 'deep water hole' and 'water'.

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