Moree

Postcode: 2400

Moree is a large town in Moree Plains Shire in northern New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the banks of the Mehi River. Moree is a major centre for the Australian cotton growing industry, located near the Newell Highway and the Gwydir Highway and can be reached by daily train service from Sydney. It is located in the Shire of Moree Plains. Like many towns and cities in Australia, Moree shares its name with a much smaller community in Northern Ireland Moree County Tyrone. At the 2001 census, Moree had a population of 9,247.

Moree's location adjacent the Mehi River has meant it has been flooded regularly over the years. It means that the town has numerous attractive riverside parks and reserves. Moree is also one of the largest farm machinery distribution centres in the country.

Moree promotes itself as the 'Artesian Spa Capital'. The town's hot artesian spa bath complex, which has evolved from the Moree bore which was originally sunk to a depth of 850 m in 1895 to obtain irrigation water. Baths were soon set up (different days originally being allocated to the different sexes) and the local council began promoting the waters as a curative and a source of relaxation and replenishment - a tradition still carried on today. The bore ceased to flow in 1957 and is now worked by a pump.

Despite its importance to the regional and state agricultural economies, Moree is best known for its renowned thermal spa baths which have been a Mecca for the infirm for more than 100 years. Arthritis and rheumatitis sufferers are the most frequent visitors. The mineral rich waters are pumped from deep in the sub-structure to the spa bathing areas in an Anne Street complex which includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool. There are several pleasant picnic spots on the banks of the Mehi River, and the Barry Roberts Walk follows the river past several heritage sites and through a pocket of bush. The Moree Plains Gallery, which features regular exhibitions also maintains a permanent collection of Contemporary Aboriginal Art and Artefacts from Kamilaroi tribal region.

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