Located near the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue, the Gunnedah Water Tower Museum is a must see if visiting the area. Parking is easy because of the car park near the memorial, or on the road outside.
Only open on Saturday from 10 until 2 you need to time your visit ti go inside.
The art work by Jenny McCracken depicts soldiers of 7RAR waiting for Huey Helicopters, while the rear of the tower shows soldiers paying their respects beside the Long Tan Cross.
Water Tower mural: Soldiers of 7RAR waiting to be picked up by Huey Helicopters by Jenny McCrackenWater Tower mural: soldiers paying their respects beside the Long Tan Cross by Jenny McCracken
Inside the Tower
Penny FarthingMilitary exhibitMuseum DisplayDisplay on upper levelDisplay on upper level
The Rosewarne Memorial
Situated on the Quia Road, Rosewarne was a small community near Gunnedah. The residents erected this memorial to remember members of the Public School and other local servicemen of World War One. The memorial became forgotten and rarely visited because of the town’s closure. Relocated in 1998 the memorial now sits behind the water tower.
An information board next to the memorial describes its history and the men behind the names on the plaque. If you visit the water tower, take a few minutes to visit the site out the back, because this is something we should all remember.
Rosewarne Memorial
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Arriving at the museum we were greeted by a happy volunteer who gave us a map of the layout and told us to help ourselves to a tea or coffee.
With our travels we have found rural museums occupy old houses, so are quite small. Not the Gunnedah Rural Museum, it takes up several large industrial size sheds with its huge collection. Its extensive collection covers farm equipment like tractors and harvesters, cars, old children’s’ toys, old household goods and a Coca Cola bottle collection. There was even an old dentist’s chair. Walking around, you would think no one in Gunnedah had ever thrown anything out.
If you are interested in rural life in Australia from the late 1800s to late 1900s this is a fantastic place to visit. We particularly liked the tractor and car collection, as they were extensive and in good condition. The museum also has a model railway out the front for rail enthusiasts. We really enjoyed this laid back huge museum.
Old Telephone CollectionGas lightKitchen appliancesMeat Safe for keeping flies off meat before refrigerationRadios and TVChildren’s ToysLawn Mowers1957 Caterpillar D4 bulldozerTractorsTractorsSteam enginesSteam EngineTwo Volkswagen BeetlesThree ZephyrsPetrol PumpTelephone BoxCoca Cola Collection
A beautiful place with views over Gunnedah, Pensioners Hill Lookout also has a sculpture park, which makes an even more interesting place to visit. The walkway through the park is named after Ailsa Iceton, a nurse who performed many charitable works in Gunnedah. During the Great Depression, she would bring meals to the residents of Pensioners Hill.
The park’s brick wall is constructed from bricks recovered from the demolition of a chimney used for a nearby mine, thereby incorporating its heritage value into the new park. A plaque near the entrance gate details the history of the chimney.
Alisa Iceton Walkway Information Board
Pensioners Hill Reserve Entrance Plaque
Kamilaroi Peoples
On entering the park, the first display on your right is a series of carved trees. These are a remembrance of the Kamilaroi People and their ancestral animals totemic beings. The Kamilaroi people’s lands extend from New South Wales to southern Queensland. They form one of the four largest Indigenous nations in Australia.
Carved Trees as a Remembrance of the Kamilaroi Peoples and their Ancestral Animals Totemic Beings
Pensioners Hill Lookout and Heritage Sculpture Park
The park contains four sculptures by Carl Merten and Joan Relke, with each depicting the heritage of the Gunneda area. The sculptures show:
The Red Chief, a Kamilaroi man who lived in the area in the 18th century. He had a reputation as a warrior and wise leader of the Gunn-e-darr tribe.
The Pioneer Woman, early settlers facing harsh environments, isolation and loneliness.
Agriculture representing the rich grazing lands and crops across the Liverpool Plains.
The Coal Miner labouring underground.
Carved on the back of each sculpture is the Great Rainbow Serpent of Aboriginal mythology, tying them all together.
Sculptures on Pensioners Hill
Snake Sculpture
The Rainbow Serpent Sculpture
Coal Miner Sculpture
The Rainbow Serpent Sculpture
Pioneer Woman Sculpture
The Red Chief Sculpture
Agriculture Sculpture
Mining Heritage
Behind the rock sculptures is a display of three mine skips on rail tracks. This display sponsored by the CFMEU (the mine workers’ Union) pays tribute to the coal miners of the district. It not only commemorates the workers, but those who did not make it home, after working in the dangerous mine conditions.
These skips add to the mining heritage reflected in the entrance wall, which shows the importance of the industry in the districts past.
Mine Cars
Places to Relax
Placed throughout the park are beautifully carved seats, where you can sit and enjoy the park. If you want to relax under cover, a rotunda at the top of the hill is a great place to get out of the weather.
Rotunda on Pensioners Hill
Seat With Carved Eagle Wings
The View
The viewing platform gives a great view of Gunnedah. The silos and red roofed building in the photo is where the Dorothea Mackellar silo art sits. While there, look at the town from inside the rotunda, because it can be framed nicely by the entrance.
View of Gunnedah From Pensioners Hill
View of Gunnedah Through the Rotunda
What Did We Think
If you are in Gunnedah, this is a great place to visit, because not only do you get a great view, but see great sculptures at the same time. It was nice to see the heritage of the districts tied together using aboriginal culture with the Great Rainbow Serpent.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
