WARIALDA Warialda is the next town encounted when traveling east (or west) on the Gwydir Hgy. Warialda is a small town but has most essential services. Warialda services quite a wide rural catchment. There some quite nice aspect with Warialda, not the least heritage management. The town’s name means “Place of Wild Honey.” Warialda was the first town gazetted in the Northwest Slopes region, probably in the 1830s, and was the headquarters of the Yallaroi Shire, until its merger with neighbouring Bingara Shire to form Gwydir Shire. Warialda Post Office opened on 1 January 1848... Warialda is the birthplace of Elizabeth Kenny, world renowned pioneer in the treatment of poliomyelitis the baptismal font used for Sister Kenny's baptism is still in use and housed in the Church of England located in Stewart Avenue. The Anglican and Catholic churches are located near the Gwydir Highway in the main part of town on the south bank of the Warialda Creek. St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church is located on the corner of Stephen and Long Streets. The front of the church has three stained glass windows representing the The Good Shepherd, from John chapter 10, as an Australian scene. The Presbyterian Manse was built from convict-hewn sandstone which formed part of the original town gaol. A local landowner used this stone built a house for himself and donated the rest of the stone to the church. The Manse bears examples of gaol graffiti, such as “Hell is here” upside-down outside the office window, and “Lord, remember me” at the back of the building. The Museum is located opposite the high school. The two hotels are near 100 years old. The Warialda War Memorial is within the Memorial Hall. There is a town clock. This was the first solar powered clock in Australia. There is a lot to enjoy in Warialda and an overnight could be a consideration. Heritage diary