Quirindi Rural Heritage Village

Quirindi Rural Heritage Village is situated 3kms west of Quirindi on the Gunnedah Road (Kamilaroi Highway) in north western New South Wales, Australia.

The Museum, Heritage Village and coffee shop are open Friday, Saturday and Sundays 10 am - 4 pm and other times by appointment.

An annual rally and swap meet where machinery enthusiasts and "swappers" gather together is held the first full weekend in May, in 2010 the dates are May 1-2.

The village is set on 13 acres, in the heart of the rich farming area - the Liverpool Plains - the Gateway to North West NSW.

The village has been designed to collect, preserve, restore, interpret and exhibit artefacts that relate to the history, heritage and culture of the regional area.

A well presented Museum and refreshing coffee shop make up the main Federation Pavilion. There are other major buildings displaying tractors, engines and machinery. A "Village Workshop" and Blacksmith's shop are completed.

The Tractor shed houses, as the name implies, a collection of members tractors and engines. It also includes the remnants of a Squire plough (the fore-runner of four wheel drive tractors), and displays of shearing and saddlery items.

The Machinery shed is the domain of the agricultural implements, including a 1901 Clayton and Shuttleworth threshing machine, elevator and chaff cutter, railway items and even the old Spring Ridge Fire truck.

A miniature railway, comprising more than 800 metres of track, operates around a lake area and is in operation on the fourth Sunday of each month as well as on other special occasions. A steaming bay, railway station and turn-table have been constructed and miniature rail enthusiasts gather from a wide area attend regular meets.

The annual rally attracts people and their machines from all over Australia and overseas. It showcases the restoration of machines from the past, ranging from tractors and steam engines, from collections of smaller items such as shearing gear, lawn mowers and also craft items to interest the ladies.

A street procession through the town gives the vintage tractor and car enthusiasts a chance to show off their prized possessions and the children are kept entertained with events such as pumpkin bowling.

The scarecrow competition is growing in popularity with the town and district graced by their presence.

Why not join this enthusiastic group who are endeavouring to preserve our valuable history for future generations. Membership is $22 for adults, payable by June 30 each year. Junior and senior membership is also available.

Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month (at the Quirindi RSL Club) with regular working bees held on the Sunday following.

It is intended that as soon as possible the village will be open for longer hours.

The Quirindi Rural Heritage Village is on a "Tourist Loop" that includes the Australian Rail Monument at Werris Creek, the Village, the Quirindi Historical Cottage and the First Fleet Gardens at Wallabadah, so if you are looking for a day out from either Quirindi, Gunnedah, Scone or Tamworth, this is the ideal trip.