Barraba
Click here to view a map of Barraba
Only 45 kilometres west of Manilla is the town of Barraba. Explore the fossicking reserves established at Ironbark Creek and Woodsreef, open for camping and bushwalking daily. Part of the reputable ‘Fossickers Way’ touring route, the area, like many parts of the Tamworth region is rich in garnets, rhodenite, zeolite, quartz, fossilised wood, jadelite and jasper, where locals and visitors alike can take part in a little fossicking of their own!
Situated on the Manilla River, the Barraba district offers an array of fantastic fishing, watersport locations and recreational areas. Glenriddle Reserve is only 15 kilometres from Barraba on the upper reaches of Split Rock Dam. The reserve is a popular spot for camping, boating and anglers can throw a line for Murray Cod, Golden and Silver Perch as well as Catfish.
Barraba lies 499 metres high in the in the heart of the Nandewar Ranges. Visitors can bushwalk or 4WD along the Barraba Track to the summit of the spectacular 1510 metre high Mount Kaputar passing through rugged rainforest, spectacular mountain scenery to arrive at the plateau of an extinct volcano. Make sure you visit the friendly volunteers at the Barraba Visitor Information Centre in Queen Street for information. For up-to-date information about Mount Kaputar National park, please visit the National Parks and Wildlife website.
Barraba is a famous bird watching region and was the first area to produce its own Bird Routes in Australia. The Bird Routes utilise old droving roads now known as travelling stock routes and all 14 are signposted. Over 190 species of birds have been seen in the Barraba region, with the endangered Regent Honeyeater the most sought after by twitchers. Barraba is also the home of the endangered Boronia Ruppi, a rare plant species only found in the Barraba district.
A visit to Barraba wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Horton Falls which cascades 83 metres to the valley floor. Located in some of the most remnant rainforest in western NSW you can camp in natural bushlands, relax with a swim or bushwalk through nature.
If you are passing through town at the right time, you may be able to take part in any number of annual events held in Barraba. Annually in November, the town celebrates a different international culture with the ‘Barraba’ Festival. The Barraba Festival is a celebration of music, markets, street theatre and parades and in December, Upper Horton holds one of NSW’s largest rodeo and sporting events.
If you visit Barraba any day of the week, you are sure to enjoy the surrounds of this welcoming town. Experience the mystique of Barraba’s history of bushrangers, experience the Heritage Walk, visit the Fuller Gallery and The Clay Pan and sample local arts and crafts or take a step back to the early 1890’s with a visit to the Barraba Historical Museum.
Click here to view the Barraba website
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