Warwick Things to Do

This is a pretty little Church is opposite the old Court house. It was a bit difficult to get a decent photo of it.

This Church was built in the Gothic style between 1869-1870, and also contains a parish hall (1998) and a manse (1940).

Another lovely sandstone building, it is the second church on this site.
A sawn slab and shingle church was constructed on the site in 1858, becoming the second provincial Presbyterian church to be established in Queensland, the first being in Ipswich.

1867, and with the congregation growing, the old church was sold and removed, and is now being used as a residence.
The church opened in 1870, but was not quite completed, and is said to have been the first church building in the colony that was floored in "cement," a very different idea to wooden floors in those days.

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These are another two historic buildings in Warwick.........
The old Court House (1885) and the Police Station (1890)

More nice local sandstone was used in these buildings

The Court House,
And you may notice in the photo, it has a Clock tower. The decision to incorporate this was actually made during the construction. By late 1887, a shed and stables were needed and these were added to the complex, plus a brick strong room in 1880.

The Police Station
Some points of interest are......
That this building, originally in a U-shaped form combining living quarters and cells, is one of few remaining buildings of this type erected during late nineteenth century.
In the 1940s, an Air Raid Shelter was erected at the police station, which was converted into a police garage following the Second World War. Also around this time, the police stables were converted into a garage then Public Works Depot. These buildings have since been demolished.

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The name JACK HOWE & SHEEP SHEARING are synonymous!

Jack "Jackie" Howe was a legendary Australian sheep shearer at the end of the 19th century, who became a recognized Australian name back in 1892 when he broke the daily and weekly shearing records across the colonies.
Jack Howe was the greatest shearer of his generation, known as the "Bradman of the boards"
[Sir Donald Bradman is a record breaking Australian Cricketer.]

Howe shore 321 sheep with "blade shears" in seven hours and 40 minutes, the record set near Blackall, in outback Queensland in 1892, and it still stands today.

In the week beforehand, Howe also set the weekly record, shearing 1,437 sheep in 44 hours and 30 minutes. Howe's daily record was beaten by Ted Reick in 1950, but Reick was using "machine shears,"while Howe's hand shears were little more than scissors. This is the much faster way of shearing sheep.

Jackie Howe became the name given to navy blue singlet tops that the Shearer's and the Man on the Land, and any other man that likes them wears!

Located by the Visitor Information centre, is a sculpture of Jack Howe shearing a Sheep, and a plaque in recognition of what a great achievement his record was.

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The Church spire can be seen from most points in Warwick.
The Church (Catholic), was built out of sandstone, and never was completed. It was first used in March, 1926.

In 1929, a Grotto, resembling the one in Lourdes, was built to the north of the Church

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A trail guide of historic buildings is available from the Tourist information centre. There are some lovely, interesting old buildings to see on this walk.
The Post Office, is built of local sandstone, is two stories high, has Saracenic arches on the 1st floor, a large cupola and Tuscan columns on the first floor, a beautiful building. Further on the walk, is the impressive Town Hall.

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There are plenty of Pubs in Warwick, enough to do a "Pub Crawl" The Criterion, is a heritage listed Hotel, located in the main street. In 1867, Cobb & Co. coaches departed from the original Criterion, which was later demolished to make room for the new Criterion, which was built in 1917. Its a lovely hotel, and if you wish, you can stay here for a reasonable price.
Single rooms from $45, and Doubles from $55, prices 2009.

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Leslie Dam is located ten kilometers from Warwick Central Business District.
Drive west towards Allan on the Cunningham Highway and take the Leslie Dam Road to the left. It’s bitumen all the way. Mind the railway crossing. The turn is at 28º12’01.26”S,151º57’06.50” (approx) just past Link Road. It's well sign-posted.
Approaching the dam wall the road turns left to the Sailing Club and at least two camping grounds and right to the parking area and picnic area at the western end of the dam wall. With the current drought dam capacity is only 15% mid 2008. Boat launching ramps have been built during various stages of dam capacity. At the moment, they all appear to be well above the level of the water.
At the western end of the dam wall, there are shelter sheds, tables and BBQs in the park. Check out the carvings of Patrick and Catherine Leslie made in large granite boulders found in the district.
The dam is named after the pioneering settler of the Warwick district Patrick Leslie (1815-1881)
The dam provides residents of the district with their major recreational aquatic area. Sailing and water-skiing are popular and fishing is a major attraction. Restocking of the dam ensures high fish populations. You may do the environment a good turn by killing some pest fish species. See the signage around the dam.
Fishing Licence required

It's one of the best kept secrets and the whole town knows it. There is an observation tower near the Condamine River that gives you a great view of Warwick and its surrounds once on top. Cunningham's Gap on the Great Dividing Range is easily visible. Because it's a steel structure and the ladder is steep, be careful especially if kids are going up.