URALLA Uralla is encounted when traveling the New England Hgy between Tamworth and Armidale. Uralla is a crossroads with the main hgy making up the main street. Uralla is a town that services a rich rural base. Clearly heritage is important, with a clear numbered ‘old’ building numbered heritage walk. These walks work well when the Info centres are open; but of course much of the time these centres are closed, when visitors are strolling the streets seeking information. The word "Uralla" was taken by the squatters from the language of the local Aniwan tribe of Aborigines. Uralla described a "meeting place", or more especially "a ceremonial meeting place and look-out on a hill". Uralla reached town status in 1855, spurred on by a gold rush in the area three years earlier, swelling the town's size to over 5,000. In 1856 another and more considerable gold rush took place, but did not lead to any lasting development. More gold was discovered and mined at Melrose in the Enmore area in about 1887. The infamous bushranger Thunderbolt (Frederick Ward) is buried in the old Uralla Cemetery (John Street). There are many references to Thunderbolt throughout the town, and the locals are quite fond of the legend. In addition to an initially controversial statue in the main street, Uralla is host to a pub, motel, rock (from where Thunderbolt ambushed passing travellers) and roads, all bearing his name. On May 25, 1870, Thunderbolt was shot and killed near Uralla by Constable Alexander Walker during a highway robbery. His statue is on the New England Highway and is a constant reminder of the myth and legend. Uralla is also host to a thriving community of artists and potters and this evident with bold colours and old surviving buildings in the town. Uralla has two museums. The Military Museum on the western fringe and the Heritage Museum which is cbd based. The Uralla War Memorial is at acknowledged at the War Memorial Building and the Apex Park. Uralla has two 150 year old pubs. The Catholic Church is on the main hgy, the United and Anglican on the side streets. Uralla is a nice town that has a progressive buzz about the place. There is plenty to look at and an overnight could be a consideration.