Warialda

A stop on the Fossickers Way touring route through gemstone country, Warialda is a nature lover’s playground. Try your luck fossicking for sapphires, gems and gold, or enjoy bushwalking, birdwatching and camping in this area known as the ‘place of wild honey’.

Gemstone heritage

Polish up your knowledge of rough, cut and polished gemstones at the Wells Gem and Mineral Collection in the Information Centre. Home to a display of incredible gems, minerals and shells, you can also pick up a fossicking map here.

There are maps for the Historic Tour Walk, which will guide you past buildings such as the Pioneer Cemetery and 1880s-built Carinda House, today full of local art and exhibits. A short drive away is the Ceramic Break Sculpture Park, where you’ll find galleries and walking trails.

Beautiful nature reserves

In Cranky Rock Nature Reserve, you’ll find a jumble of granite boulders balancing on the edge of pretty Reedy Creek. A picturesque sanctuary, Cranky Rock is popular for picnicking, hiking and camping. For impressive wildflowers and birdlife, head to Koorilgur Nature Reserve.

Whether you’re a casual walker or a seasoned hiker, the Koorilgur Nature Walk can be explored in its entirety or broken into sections. The walk begins from either Apex Park or Rotary Park and is 3.65km one-way, winding past smooth-barked apple gums.

Getting there & where to stay

Warialda is just over seven hours’ drive from Sydney, five hours from Brisbane and 90min from Glen Innes. The closest airport is in Moree and you can rent a car for the one-hour drive east. Places to stay in Warialda include caravan parks, motels, cottages and the luxurious glamping tents at Faraway Domes.