Warracknabeal
Population: 3000, District 8000
Distances:
Horsham - 60kms
Melbourne - 340kms
Warracknabeal is a delightful country town with a thriving commercial centre located in the heart of the State’s major grain growing area. Situated on the Henty Highway, it is approximately 60 km from the large regional centre of Horsham. Warracknabeal residents enjoy an inland desert climate of mild winters and hot summers. Autumn and Spring are just delightful and the average rainfall is 430mm (17 inches). The main cash crops grown are wheat and barley, but farmers are also growing peas, beans, lupins and canola. Permanent water is supplied by a channel system and the Yarriambiack Creek.
First settled in 1845, Warracknabeal boasts some fine old historical buildings. Of particular interest are; the Log Lock-Up, built in 1872; the Water Tower, built in 1886 for the railways and later used as the town’s water storage; and the local Court House built in 1891 and currently being restored. The Post Office, built in 1909, is an attractive example of Tudor style architecture.
The town’s sporting facilities include an all year 18 hole sand belt course with well watered fairways, nine tennis courts including two with lights for night tennis; a full size Olympic swimming pool in a lawn setting and mens and ladies bowling clubs and croquet club. A leisure complex provides excellent facilities for a host of indoor sports and includes a gymnasium. Horse racing is popular and enthusiasts have seven meetings a year to attend. There is a Yacht Club which sails on Lake Hindmarsh to the west of Warracknabeal.
Warracknabeal has a number of cafes, restaurants and hotels. There is a busy commercial centre which includes a pharmacy. The town also has the services of a Dentist and Vet. Warracknabeal has five Christian churches: Anglican, Assembly of God, Catholic, Lutheran and Uniting Church. The town has a number of service clubs including: Apex, Lions, Rotary, Business and Professional Women, Probus, Scouts, Guides. Other clubs include Music, Book, Food & Wine, Historical and an Arts Council.
Warracknabeal has a Kindergarten, three primary schools including the Christian Community School and St Mary’s Catholic School, and a Secondary College. The Woodbine Centre has a Special Development School and an Adult Training Centre. Childcare is available through Wimmera Community Care.
Warracknabeal is serviced by a V/Line rail/bus service to Ballarat and Melbourne and a coach travels to Mildura via Hopetoun. An aerodrome is available for light aircraft.
Medical Services
There are two solo practices in Warracknabeal offering general practitioner services. Rural North West Health Service has three campuses, each at Warracknabeal, Hopetoun and Beulah. Warracknabeal has 33 acute beds, 36 Nursing home beds and 30 Hostel beds. Specialist services include general surgery one day a month, radiology, obstetrics and gynaecology. Allied health services include: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, community health nursing and a diabetes nurse educator.
Other services available in Warracknabeal include a Neighbourhood House and a Youth worker jointly funded by the Yarriambiack shire and the Grampians Group Training.
