MANILLA Manilla is the first (or last) of the trifecta of small towns that is the Tamworth Warialda back hgy. Manilla like its counterparts is a nice small town. Heritage is clearly important, and town pride is on display. Manilla is another very friendly place. The name Manilla comes from the Gamilaraay language, and is said to mean 'winding river'. The junction of the Manilla and Namoi Rivers was for generations, a camping ground for the local indigenous people, members of the large Kamilaroi (Gamilaraay) tribes of northwestern New South Wales. During the 1850s, teamsters with bullock wagons were regularly transporting goods from the Hunter District through the Manilla area to outlying cattle stations and the northern goldfield settlements of Bingara and Bundarra. Teams were often delayed at the junction of the Namoi and Manilla Rivers by high water. In 1853, enterprising Englishman George Veness arrived at ‘The Junction’ to setup a store and wine shop at the teamsters’ camping ground. In doing so, Veness led the way to town settlement and is acknowledged as the Founder of Manilla. The town's early prosperity was founded on the highly productive wheat and pastoral industries There are a number of old buildings in Manilla. The Manilla Anglican and United Churches are quite something. Both over 100 years. The Presbyterian and Catholic are the opposite. Modern and bland. The Hotels in Manilla are all well over a 100 years old. Some classic verandah lines on the Commercial The Manilla War Memorial is acknowledged within the Memorial Hall. The Manilla Museum is on the northern edge of the main street, near the Slim Dusty plaque. Manilla is a nice colourful spot and would be easy to do an overnight.