Map & Town Guide
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Waterfall Way Towns WALCHA
Walcha today:
Walcha is situated an easy 447 km from Sydney turning off the pacific highway just after Raymond Terrace, onto the famous "Thunderbolts Way" towards Gloucester and then to fresh mountain air, gaining altitude and majestic vistas to the country "where wild rivers run". Be sure to venture into some warm hospitality in the laid back village of Nowendoc.

Travelling the New England Highway? Slow down in Uralla to check out the bronze of "Captain Thunderbolt", one of Australia's most famous bushrangers, before you head southeast onto "Thunderbolts Way" viewing some rural countryside with productive rolling hills and scenery that will leave travellers in awe.

If you're travelling to or from Sydney, The Thunderbolts Way" will save you time, as it is approximately 100 km shorter in distance.

Another scenic route off the Pacific highway is the Oxley Highway, turning off towards Wauchope and then coming up the mountain taking in Gingers Creek and Yarrowitch. See some huge trees and pockets of rainforest and the odd waterfall or two. Travelling from the west at Bendemeer is the path that New England's earliest explorer, John Oxley, rode with teams of horses and supplies on his way to Port Macquarie. Try to imagine his journey when pulling up at Woolbrook or the friendly hamlet of Walcha Road, Where you'll get to see one of Australia's most quaint railway stations. Welcome to Walcha!

Walcha Shire surrounds the Great Dividing Range on the Northern Tablelands, with the township of Walcha set at 1067 metres above sea level. This is one of the richest grazing areas in Australia, producing world recognition and awards for it's superfine Merino wool, fat lambs and beef cattle. It is also proud of its timber industry, both hardwoods and softwoods. The softwood industry particularly is on the verge of major expansion.

The area of the shire is 640,025 hectares with a population 0f only 3,500, Walcha boasts its 1600 population to be one of the friendliest rural towns in Australia. We also pride ourselves on the gourmet foods that are available at the many restaurants available to the weary traveller.

Walcha is the southern gateway to very scenic vistas including both Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and the Werrikimbe National Park, which is listed as a world heritage site and is part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia (CERRA). If your into the natural environment, there are many bushwalks, waterfalls and spectacular views that surround these National Parks.

This world heritage area is home to many natural wonders, including the Apsley Falls, Tia Falls, and ravines that wild rivers have carved over the past 25 million years, quoted as being "a smaller version of the Grand Canyon", not to mention the vast numbers of native flora and fauna that can be seen, including Koala's, Platypus, Kangaroos, Wallabies and if your lucky you might see the elusive Dingo.