© GoogleThe green dot indicates where the quake struck at a depth of 17 kilometres
More than 400 people have reported feeling tremors or hearing loud noises. Many called police because they thought they were being robbed. Gunnedah Shire Mayor Adam Marshall says he has never heard of a tremor in the region before.
"I guess no-one's really thought about checking their insurance policy for anything like earthquake damage," he said. But there have been no reports so far of damage beyond a few windows in need of replacement.
Resident Jeff Silvey says it sounded like a jumbo jet and it set off dogs barking all along his street. "I thought it was just a jumbo jet but then everyone else started texting saying no it's an earthquake," he said. "The whole house shook and all the windows and even the dogs got scared - we had to bring the dogs in."
