Amos Brothers erected the MacDonald River Private Hospital in 1879 to tend the men employed during the railway construction.

Remaining is a public school with about 20 pupils, a store, the AIF Memorial Hall and St John's church which was built in 1929.

Woolbrook Spring Fair is held in October with draught horse events, goat racing, dog trials and other entertainment.

Woolbrook has the typical cool to cold winter, mild to warm summer climate of the Northern Tablelands.

Although due to the towns location in a deep valley, it records some of the coldest temperatures in the region, and sometimes even in the whole of Australia during the winter months.