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"Guyra Top of the Range" is centrally located between the major population centres of the New England Region and tourists staying in Guyra are within easy reach of a wide variety of attractions.
Clean air, beautiful gardens, historic unique natural attractions and a friendly atmosphere. Guyra, a town of about 2000 people, is located in the the heart of the New England Tablelands midway between Sydney and Brisbane on the New England Highway. At 1320 metres above sea level, Guyra is the highest town on the Tablelands. This gives tourists staying in Guyra exposure to a wide variety of attractions, while offering a quiet location in our charming community town.
Within the Shire area you can find a unique and diverse blend of recreational activities and facilities, from relaxed farmstays, bed and breakfasts, trout fishing, horse riding, bird watching, fossicking, bush walks through our beautiful National Parks and reserves, museums, scenic picnic areas and local parks. Or simply stroll down the main street and browse through some of our speciality shops such as the old book and memorabilia shop, an antique shop, art and craft shops, nurseries or enjoy a hearty meal at our cosy sountry style coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels/motels and much more. Historically the Guyra area has supported and continues to support extensive rural timber and mining industries.
Tourist facilities and activities located within the Council area include Malpas Dam, Tingha/Copeton Recreation Reserve (eastern foreshores of Lake Copeton), Guy Fawkes River National Park - Ebor Falls, Cathedral Rocks National Park, Moredun Dams, Green Valley Farm, Mother of Ducks Lagoon, Llangothlin Lagoon Wildlife Refuge and Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve, Mushroom Rock, Trout Fishing, Bush Walking, Bird Watching, Holiday Farms, Historical Sites, Fossicking, Historic Black Mountain and Ben Lomond Railway Stations, Historical Museum, Arts and Crafts, Antique Farm Machinery at Guyra Railway Station.
The Guyra area is famous for its prime lambs, wool, beef and potatoes. The annual Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival held in late January is an exciting promotion for those industries.
During the winter months the occasional snowfall creates great interest among travellers. Conversely, Guyra boasts what has been described as the best summer climate in Australia. The autumn colours in the New England can only be described as beautiful.
Parks and Barbeques
APEX PARK Bradley St (sth). Toilets, picnic benches, sheltered picnic area, swings, slippery dips, childrens play equipmentMcKlE PARK Bradley St (sth). Gardens
MOTHER OF DUCKS LAGOON McKie Drive. Information, public telephones, toilets, picnic benches, sheltered picnic area, wildlife observation shelters.
STH GUYRA PARK Cnr Russell & Hardinge Sts Picnic benches, swings, slippery dips, childrens play equipment.
ROTARY PARK New England Hwy/Falconer St. Informnation, public telephone, toilets, picnic benches, swings, slippery dips, old steam engine, old war gun.
WHITE PARK Cnr Abercrombie & Yarrawonda Sts. Picnic bench, swings, slippery dips, childrens play equipment.
Tourist brochures and information can be obtained at the Guyra Ampol 24 hour Truck Stop (just north of the Guyra Township on the New England Highway) - phone (02) 6779 1462
Mother of Ducks Lagoon
One of Guyra's most important landmarks is the Mother of Ducks Lagoon - a large stretch of water, some 14km in circumference held in a silted volcanic crater. The lagoon is a valuable high altitude wetlands reserve that attracts nature and bird lovers from all over Australia and the world.The Lagoon was an important food source for the Anaiwan aboriginal people who had made the area their home. When at maximum capacity the lagoon used to cover an area of over 1000 acres. Yet during dry periods will completely disappear. The lagoon provided a valuable supply of water not only to the town but also to steam trains that marched up and down the Great Northern Railway Line.
In the late 1800s the steam powered launch 'Florrie' took sightseers and duck shooters over the water, but in 1894 the Mother of Ducks Lagoon was gazetted as a Public Reserve and later declared a Fauna Protection area, curtailing the 'Florrie's' activities.
The Mother of Ducks Lagoon, having been dry or nearly so for much of this century through drainage, was restored to its former beauty as Guyra's major Bicentennial Project. The idea to restore and beautify the area as a unique tourist attraction and wetlands reserve was conceived by.the Quota Club of Guyra in 1981.
Panoramic View of Mother of Ducks Lagoon
This 180o panoramic view of Mother of Ducks Lagoon is taken from 8 separate photographs. Clicking anywhere on the overview graphic will take you to a full size photograph containing the point you selected. From this point you may then move left or right through all of the photographs used.
Today the Mother of Ducks Lagoon remains an important Wildlife Reserve attracting many varieties of bird life including Japanese Snipe, Inland Terns, Silver Gulls, White Bellied Sea Eagles and Pelicans who feed on the abundant Carp and Horseshoe Shrimp.
The shores now accommodate the Guyra Golf course, picnic areas and a walkway out to the water to a viewing platform.
Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve
Located approx. 25km north of Guyra, Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve is a bird watchers haven, being one of only a few high altitude wetlands in the country. The lagoon has become an important breeding and feeding area for migratory birds such as the Japanese Snipe.Historical Museum
Guyra & District Historical Museum The Guyra and District Historical Museum has a varied and comprehensive collection of artifacts and historical material relating to the Guyra district. These items are beautifully displayed in the old Shire Council buildings at the southern end of Bradley Street, opposite Apex Park (next door to the Bowling Club). The museum is open by appointment. Phone (02) 6779 2132. Or write to PO Box 63 Guyra NSW 2365.Antique Farm Machinery
Guyra Antique Machinery Museum is situated at the old Railway Station in Guyra. On show is a quanitity of different make and models from a bygone era of horse and tractor drawn implements, chaff cutters, water pumps, steel and rubber tyred tractors, sheep shearing plants and much much more. For enquiries and inspections phone (02)6779 1621 or (02) 6779 2024.Baxter's Farm Museum
A very pleasant drive past Guyra's most historic properties and churches will find you at Baxter's Farm Museum, 34 kms from Guyra. Take the Tingha-Inverell Road out of Guyra for 26 kms. Turn right onto the Tenterden Road and then right onto the Moredun Dam Road. Peter and Judy have a lifetime's collection of Australiana memorabilia and items of every description from the house to the farm. Peter has a display of antique machines, many of which are still in working order. Please phone before visiting. Entry is free but a charge is made for morning or afternoon tea. Ph: (02) 6779 4535.Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival
Guyra produces a tremendous range of goods and services from Farmstays to Tree Planters Trout Fishing to Alpacas and even Pet Food to Weighing Scales. The Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival is the vehicle to enable local people to get together and display/promote their goods and services, and Guyra to the general public.
Held every year during the last week of January,.Guyra's Lamb and Potato Festival is building a reputation with 1000's of holiday travellers for delicious lamb and potato meals served during its festival. Over the week a wide variety of interesting and tasty meals are provided for lunch and tea. The aim is to show just how tasty, interesting and healthy these meals can be.
Information on the preparation of meals and facts about lamb is available during the week. Lots of other activities and displays are organised for each day of the Festival, which is held on the highway right next to our lamb sculpture.
Guyra Rodeo
The Guyra Rodeo is held in November every year. Over the past few years this event has become one of the most supported Rodeos in the Region. The Rodeo is held over a full weekend with roughriding on Saturday afternoon and evening, followed by musical entertainment as well as campdrafting all day Saturday and Sunday. There is always a delicious BBQ available as well as canteen and bar facilities. For further information contact the Show Society on (02) 6779 1093 or (02) 6779 1577.Guyra Annual Show
The Guyra Show has been an annual event for nearly one hundred years and has never lost that wonderful old fashioned country atmosphere.The Annual Guyra Show is held at the most beautiful scenic showground you will see in February each year. There is plenty to see with horses, cattle, sheep, campdrafting and shearing featuring every year as well as a wonderful display of local produce, wool, cooking, needlework and flowers in the Pavilion.
A great weekends entertainment for all the family. For further information contact the Allow Societlv on (02) 6779 1093.
Guyra Gardens
Guyra boasts a number of magnificent private gardens which are open to the public at various times of the year or by arrangement with the owners. A couple of these gardens are on the Australian 0penGarden Scheme.Guyra has a very active garden club who provide their services to maintain many of the public areas around the town.
Hydrangea Festival
Run in conjunction with the Lamb & Potato Festival in January. The Hydrangea Festival runs from the last Friday in January over the weekend. Shops and offices create displays which are judged and awarded certificates. At the Lamb & Potato site individuals display single and 7 bloom containers which are also judged. This popular festival is run by Quota of Guyra.Ollera Station
The historic property, "Ollera", is located on the western side of Guyra and was first settled by the Everett brothers in 1838. This sheep and cattle station is run today by members of the same family. The National Trust and the National Estate recognise the significance of "Ollera" as an important part of Australia's heritage, a fascinating link with another era in our colourful history. The magnificent Victorian homestead presents a seemingly haphazard layout. It stands in contrast to the farm outbuildings built by broad and rough-hewn timber slabs. Nearby the Station Chapel, built in 1876, and exhibiting the carvings of members of the first settlers. Two Battle of Waterloo Veterans lie in the nearby graveyard. Headstones as early as 1843 bespeak the seeding of the European settlement. Great atmosphere is afoot at this place.You drive past this historic property on your way to Moredun Ponds, Baxter's Museum, Green Valley Farm and Tingha. Visits to Ollera Station by private vehicles are not permitted.
Smith Museum and Mineral Collection Green Valley Farm
Located at Green Valley Farm, Tingha, is Smiths Museum. The Museum houses antiques, bottles, glass stones, minerals and many more items. Ph: (02) 6723 3370.If you know of a local tourist site that is located in this community but is not listed here, please Email us (using the button at the bottom of this page) and let us know the details, including the community to which you are referring.
