Warracknabeal is situated on the Henty Highway, by the gum-lined banks of Yarriambiack Creek. It is 113 m above sea-level and 331 km north-west of Melbourne via Stawell which is 98 km to the south. The current population is about 2500. The town's name derives from an Aboriginal expression relating to the large redgums by the watercourse.

The area was occupied by the Wotjobaluk Aborigines prior to white settlement. Squatters Robert and Andrew Scott established a grazing run on both sides of the Yarriambiack Creek in 1845. A shanty and a store were established on the banks of the creek in the late 1860s and the Commercial Hotel was opened in 1870 (it is still standing).

A rough log lock-up was built when the first permanent policeman arrived in 1872 and, remarkably, it remained in use until the 1950s. It too is extant. The area was plagued by rabbits in the late 1870s causing the construction of a massive fence along the 36th parallel to the north of town. A portion was built, under contract, by the father of poet John Shaw Neilson while the family was living in the area.

As was the case throughout the Wimmera and Mallee, grazing soon gave way to wheat-farming. The railway arrived in 1885 and the town became a municipality in 1891. An improved water supply saw increased wheat yields and a flour mill was built in 1894.

The annual agricultural show is held in October, the Warracknabeal Cup in July and a Vintage Machinery and Vehicle Rally on the Easter weekend. There is also a Christmas Carnival and the town's Rodeo is held in October.

Things to see

Tourist Information, Post Office and Black Arrow Tour
The Tourist Information Centre is located in Scott St, near the Woolcock St intersection. It is open seven days from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel/fax: (03) 5398 1632 and email: warrack@netconnect.com.au Adjacent is the beautiful and decorative Tudor-style post office (1907) with its arched entranceway.

The Black Arrow Self-Drive Tour takes in some of the town's historical attractions. Related pamphlets can be found at the information centre and in the container at the historical centre.

Historical Centre
Cross Woolcock St and halfway along the next block is Warracknabeal Historical Centre, located in the interesting old State Savings Bank building (1909) which features some fine polychrome brickwork. Displays include clothing and a pharmaceutical collection. It is open from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. every day except Saturday, tel: (03) 5398 1182.

Historic Buildings
On the other side of the road is the Warracknabeal Hotel (1891) with its arched entranceway and Art Nouveau leaded glass. Cross Phillips St to see one of the town's first buildings, the Commercial Hotel built in 1870 with the second storey added in 1891. Both hotels feature some fine cast-iron lacework.

Head east along Phillips St past Devereux St to the Molyneaux St intersection where you will see the finely crafted four-storey brick water tower with its bluestone sills and copings. It was built in 1886 for the steam engines in the old station yard and was used as Warracknabeal's water storage site for 30 years.

Return along Phillips St and turn left into Devereux St. To the immediate left is the log lock-up consisting of a single large cell with a log ceiling and floor, built when the first permanent policeman arrived in 1873. Further along, at the Woolcock St intersection is the small but colourful brick courthouse (1891).

Agricultural Machinery Museum
At the southern end of the town on the Henty Highway is the Wheatlands Agricultural Machinery Museum. The museum's impressive collection of machinery from the surrounding areas is spread over a 16-hectare site. Some of the highlights include steam-powered chaff cutters, steam engines, early tractors, a display of over1500 varieties of wheat and the log-fired blacksmith's furnace which was used by Hugh McKay to build the first horse-drawn stripper-harvester. Completed in 1884 it was the first machine that could strip the heads off wheat, as well as thresh and clean the grain and it became a great international success. In fact his business was so expansive he was forced to move to Braybrook Junction in Melbourne which was renamed Sunshine after his Sunshine harvesters. His company later merged with Massey-Ferguson.

There are also barbecue and childrens' play facilities. The complex is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily., tel: (03) 5398 1616 or (03) 5398 1475. The Vintage Machinery and Vehicle Rally is held here at Eastertime.

Parks and Yarriambiack Creek
At the end of Lyle St, by the creek, is Apex Park where there is a picnic area and a short scenic walk along the picturesque creek bank. A bridge leads across the watercourse to the intersection of Dimboola Rd and Craig Ave. The latter follows the western bank of the creek to Rainbow Rd which makes for a pleasant stroll.

En route is Lions Park where there is a fauna park within a bend in the creek. There is a garden area with picnic-barbecue facilities, an adventure playground and a footbridge over to the shopping centre. There is a boat ramp further north along Craig Ave.

Anzac Park is located at the southern end of Scott St. There is a swimming pool and electric barbecues.

Rabbit Fence
27 km north of town along the highway is a monument on the left-hand side of the road along with a section of restored fence - a remnant of the vermin-proof fence that was constructed along the 36th parallel from the South Australian border to Swan Hill in 1883 to keep out rabbits, which were in plague proportions, and wild dogs. At the time it was the longest wire-netting fence in the world. A portion of the fence was built, under contract, by the father of poet John Shaw Neilson while the family was living in the area.