Willow Tree, New South Wales - History

History

Willow Tree is located at the north-eastern corner of the enormous Warrah grant which was made out to the Australian Agricultural Company in 1833. An inn was established on the future townsite, at the junction of the roads north to Quirindi and north-east to Wallabadah in the mid-19th century. It was, however, the arrival of the railway in the 1870s that led to settlement. Willow Tree Post Office opened on 1 August 1872 (though known as Warrah for a few weeks in 1877).

The village was surveyed when part of the Warrah grant was subdivided and sold in 1908.

One cemetery, located on the main road, is the resting place of five generations of Barwicks, a major family in the area between Willow Tree and Quirindi. Almost all of the old families in the area have either had members marry into the Barwicks, or have been entirely absorbed by the Barwicks.

Willow Tree is now partly known because of its award winning restaurant. 'Graze Restaurant' is known for having the best steak in New South Wales. The steak comes from the cows at Colly Creek, which is 5 minutes up the road. The steak is dry aged which gives it amazing quality. The restaurant was featured on 'Sydney Weekender'. The restaurant attracts people from all over the state. There are many people who come down from Sydney or catch a train from Tamworth or Armidale. There have also been a few customers who have come from other countries. The restaurant has been open since late 2010.