We present a variable star catalog of an extensive ground-based wide-field variability survey in the globular cluster \omega Centauri .
Using the ANU 40-inch ( 1m ) telescope at Siding Spring Observatory , the cluster was observed with a 52 ^ { \prime } \times 52 ^ { \prime } ( 0.75 deg ^ { 2 } ) field for 25 nights .
A total of 187 variable stars were identified in the field , 81 of which are new discoveries .
This work comprises the widest field variability survey yet undertaken for this cluster .
Here we present the V+R lightcurves and preliminary analysis of the detected variable stars , comprising 58 eclipsing binaries , 69 RR Lyrae stars , 36 long period variables ( P \geq 2d ) and 24 miscellaneous pulsators including 15 SX Phoenicis stars and two Type II Cepheids .

Analysis of the eclipsing binary radial distribution has revealed an apparent lack of binaries in the 8 ^ { \prime } -15 ^ { \prime } range , perhaps indicating two separate binary populations .
Four detached binaries have short periods ( < 2.5d ) and are likely composed of low-mass M-dwarf components , useful for testing stellar evolution models .
One further detached system has a period of 0.8 days and due to the blueness of the system could be composed of white dwarf stars .
Analysis of the RR Lyrae sample has produced a reddening corrected distance modulus ( also accounting for metallicity spread ) for the cluster of 13.68 \pm 0.27 , a result consistent with previously published values .
This paper also presents a total stellar database comprising V and I photometry ( with astrometry better than 0.25 ^ { \prime \prime } ) for 203,892 stars with 12.0 \leqslant V \leqslant 21.0 and 25-night V+R lightcurves for 109,726 stars ( 14.0 \leqslant V \leqslant 22.0 ) for both the cluster and the field .