Werris Creek

Understand

The indigenous Kamileroi people were the original inhabitants of the area. The name 'Werris' is thought to be derived from the Kamilaroi word 'werai' meaning 'a lookout point' in reference to the many hills in the district. European settlers arrived here in the 1830s. The heritage-listed railway station was built in the late 1880s, and Werris Creek is considered to be the first railway town in Australia. Werris Creek is in the Liverpool Plains Local Government Area, with its main centre in Quirindi.

Visitors information centre Liverpool Plains Visitor Information Centre, New England Highway, Willow Tree (next to King George V Memorial Park), ☏ +61 2 6747 1226. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa Su 9AM-2PM.

Getting there

By car Werris Creek is located on the Werris Creek Road, 20 km north of Quirindi and 46 km south-west of Tamworth. Werris Creek is 35 km north-west (via Quirindi on the Kamilaroi Highway) of the junction of the New England Highway/A15 and the Kamilaroi Highway/B51, which is just north of Willow Tree.

By bus

Tamworth Buslines Tamworth Buslines run Bus Route 428 M-Sa to Werris Creek. This is a regional bus service, not a coach service - pay the driver with cash as you would a city bus service, exact fare preferred. One-way fares between Werris Creek and Tamworth are $5.90 for adults and $2.90 for children (4-15) and concession holders.

Tamworth Buslines, 21 Hume Street, ☏ +61 2 6762 3999, [email protected]. Download a timetable and map here. See the fare rates here.

To Werris Creek The morning service to Werris Creek departs from The Atrium Shopping Centre in Kabel Avenue M-F 9:05AM and arrives at the Werris Creek Post Office 9:44AM. The afternoon services depart from Tamworth Railway Station at M-F 2PM, then departs from The Atrium Shopping Centre in Kabel Avenue 2:02PM and arrives at the Werris Creek Railway Station 2:42PM; and departs The Atrium Shopping Centre in Kabel Avenue M-F 5:17PM and arrives at the Werris Creek Post Office 5:54PM. On Saturdays the service to Werris Creek departs from The Atrium Shopping Centre in Kabel Avenue Sa 10AM and arrives at the Werris Creek Post Office 10:40AM; departs from The Atrium Shopping Centre in Kabel Avenue 1:30PM and arrives at the Werris Creek Post Office 2:10PM; and departs from The Atrium Shopping Centre in Kabel Avenue Sa 4PM and arrives at the Werris Creek Post Office 4:40PM

To Tamworth The morning service to Tamworth departs from the Werris Creek Railway pedestrian entrance M-F 7:15 AM and arrives at the corner of Brisbane Street and Kabel Avenue 7:50AM; and departs from the Werris Creek Railway pedestrian entrance M-F 11:59AM, arrives at the corner of Brisbane Street and Kabel Avenue 12:3

Getting around

Private transport is the most convenient way to get around Werris Creek, and essential for exploring the surrounding district. The nearest car rental agencies are in Tamworth and Quirindi.

By taxi Perrett's Taxi Cabs, 99 Henry Street, ☏ +61 2 6768 7228. Taxis must be booked, not hailed

See

In and near town Australian Railway Monument and Railway Museum (The Rail Journeys Museum), Werris Creek Railway Station, ☏ +61 2 6768 7929, [email protected]. Sa-Tu 11:30AM-3:30PM. The Railway Museum showcases memorabilia from electric railway implements, interactive model railways, and the railway past of Werris Creek. The Railway Monument commemorates the 2,700+ lives lost while working for the railways since the 1850s. (updated Mar 2021)

Out of town 1 Quipolly Dam Recreation Ground and Bird Hide, Lowes Creek Road (19 km south-east of Werris Creek via Werris Creek Road southbound, turn left into Paynes Road/Lowes Creek Road, turn left at the T-junction and continue on Lowes Creek Road, parking on the left). Daily sunrise-sunset. Recreation area with gas barbecues (wood/charcoal barbecues not permitted), picnic tables, toilet with disabled access, walking paths. Fishing. Birdwatching. Swimming and boating not permitted as it is the town water supply for Werris Creek. Fishing must be done only at the designated areas. No pets - guide dogs exempted. (updated Mar 2021)

Do

Sports 1 Werris Creek Golf Club, Gap Road (1.5 km west of Werris Creek via Gap Road), ☏ +61 2 6768 7165. W 4-7PM, F 4-10PM, Su 10:30AM-6PM. 9-hole golf course. $5 (honesty box). (updated Mar 2021) 2 Werris Creek Bowling and Tennis Club, 136 Henry Street (southbound lane), ☏ +61 2 6768 7144. M 2-10PM, Tu-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-10PM. Lawn bowls. Tennis. (updated Mar 2021) 3 Werris Creek Swimming Pool, end of Coronation Drive eastbound, ☏ +61 2 6768 7246. Phone for hours and fees. (updated Mar 2021)

Buy

When locals can't obtain anything locally, they shop at Quirindi and often at Tamworth.

Self catering 1 Friendly Grocer, 56 Single Street (opposite the railway station), ☏ +61 2 6768 7006. M-F 8:30AM-6PM, Sa 8:30AM-3PM, Su 10AM-2PM. Grocery store (updated Mar 2021) 2 Werris Creek Pharmacy, 53 Single Street (opposite the railway station), ☏ +61 2 6768 7038, [email protected]. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-12:30PM. Chemist. (updated Mar 2021)

Eat

Commercial Hotel/Motel, 81 Single Street (opposite Sunset Park), ☏ +61 2 6768 7075. Pub fare. (updated Mar 2021) Alison's Bistro (Railway Hotel), 65 Single Street, ☏ +61 2 6768 7024. W-M evenings only. Pub fare. (updated Mar 2021) Werris Creek Bowling and Tennis Club, 136 Henry Street (southbound lane), ☏ +61 2 6768 7144. Tu-Su noon-2PM, 6-8PM. Bistro fare. (updated Mar 2021) Coffee Corner (Werris Creek Pharmacy), 53 Single Street (opposite the railway station). Coffee shop. (updated Mar 2021) 1 Wing Cheun Chinese Restaurant, 102 Single Street (near a bus stop), ☏ +61 2 6768 7622. Tu-Su 11:30AM- 1:30PM, 5-8:30PM. Chinese cuisine. (updated Mar 2021) 2 Cafe on Single, 46 Single Street (opposite the Werris Creek Railway Station pedestrian entrance), ☏ +61 2 6768 7089. M-F 6AM-3PM, Sa 8AM-4PM. Cafe fare. (updated Mar 2021)

Drink & nightlife

1 Commercial Hotel/Motel, 81 Single Street (opposite Sunset Park), ☏ +61 2 6768 7075. (updated Mar 2021) 2 Railway Hotel, 65 Single Street, ☏ +61 2 6768 7024. (updated Mar 2021) Werris Creek Bowling and Tennis Club, 136 Henry Street (southbound lane), ☏ +61 2 6768 7144. M 2-10PM, Tu-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-10PM. (updated Mar 2021)

Sleep

Commercial Hotel/Motel, 81 Single Street (opposite Sunset Park), ☏ +61 2 6768 7075. Phone for rates and availability. (updated Mar 2021) Railway Hotel, 65 Single Street, ☏ +61 2 6768 7024. Phone for rates and availability. (updated Mar 2021)

Go next

Nundle - south-east of Werris Creek: 76 km via Werris Creek Road southbound, at Quirindi turn left at the roundabout onto Henry Street, cross the Quirindi Creek bridge and continue straight ahead as Dewhurst Street, pass the Quirindi Showground on the right and continue ahead as Wallabadah Road, at Wallabadah turn left/north onto the New England Highway/A15, turn right onto Lindsays Gap Road, pass the Garoo Road turn-off on the left, pass the Middlebrook Road turn-off on the left, turn right/south o