TO THE EDGE OF THE OUTBACK MUNGO, & BEYOND

OCTOBER 26 – NOVEMBER 4, 2020 TOUR LEADER: CHRIS CARTER

TO THE EDGE Overview OF THE OUTBACK MUNGO, BROKEN HILL & BEYOND The river and lake systems of south-west NSW are the source of some of the earliest evidence of Indigenous occupation in Australia. These systems also provided resources that supported settlement from these Tour dates: October 26 – November 4, 2020 early times until today. Outback from the Murrumbidgee to the Darling River were the early transport corridors for Colonial trade. Tour leader: Chris Carter Irrigation from these waterways increased agricultural production and supported primary industry worth billions to the Australian economy. Tour Price: $4,795 per person, twin share Beginning in Wagga Wagga, our nine-night tour explores the region’s Single Supplement: $1,175 for sole use of fascinating history and ongoing struggle for survival from its indigenous double room past through to colonial settlement. We travel to the lake systems of the Willandra Creek and the World Heritage listed site of Lake Mungo. Apart Booking deposit: $500 per person from the Walls of China and the lake itself, we will look for evidence of Aboriginal settlement that spread broadly across the landscape making Mungo appear as it should - just a small part of the continuum of human Maximum places: 20 occupation that goes back more than 50,000 years.

Itinerary: Wagga Wagga (1 night), Balranald We continue to Bindara Station via Pooncarie. Bindara is located on the (1 night), Lake Mungo (2 nights), Bindara banks of the Darling River and we traverse the river floodplain looking for (1 nights), Broken Hill (4 nights) evidence of early Aboriginal occupation. We dine on the bank of the river, with our evening meal cooked over an open fire. Broken Hill was once one Date published: September 16, 2020 of the most important mining operations in Australia and provided the genesis for an Australian icon, the Broken Hill Proprietary Company. We take a guided walk through the town to learn of its history and also visit the regional art gallery. Day trips to Silverton and Mutawintji National Park highlight the indigenous and mining history of the area.

Your tour leader

Christopher Carter has a PhD in archaeology from the Australian National University (ANU). Chris has designed and led study tours for over 20 years including Central and South America, Europe and Asia as well as tours within Australia. He works as a consultant archaeologist and casual tutor at the ANU.

To provide a practical aspect to his teaching, Chris led a number of field trips to allow students to experience archaeology first hand and has worked with the Traditional Owners in country including areas of the northern Flinders Ranges (South Australia) and adjacent to the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area (which includes Lake Mungo). This tour evolved as an extension of a field project and includes an introduction to both the Indigenous and Colonial history of this particular region. Enquiries “I never tire of visiting this area. The landscapes of the river and lake and bookings systems are constantly revealing evidence of deep and different past. The environment has changed significantly over the past 50,000 years – over For further information and to the entire period of human occupation. Evidence left behind by previous secure a place on this tour settlers regularly reappears. It may take the form of a few shells from a please contact Hannah Kleboe meal eaten several thousand years ago or the ruins of a hut built by an at Academy Travel on 9235 early European settler. You just never know what you may find.” 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside

Sydney) or email [email protected]

Tour Highlights

THE The inland River systems of south western New South Wales have long been a lifeline to large swathes of inland and southern Australia, providing irrigation and viable trade routes for both the indigenous peoples and early colonial settlers of the region. We explore the rich history of the area with visits to local galleries and historic Yanga Station.

LAKE Mungo National Park is part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region that was recognised in 1981 for the importance of both its geological past and its record of Aboriginal settlement dating back 50 000 years. We make a couple of forays to the ancient lake bed and see the 40-metre- high sand dunes known as The Walls of China at sunset and again to explore the lunette during the day.

A GREAT MINING HISTORY The towns of Broken Hill and Silverton prospered on the back of the precious metals industry after the discovery of one of the world’s richest deposits of lead, zinc and silver leading to the establishment of the iconic Broken Hill Propriety Company (BHP) in 1885. We visit the Line of Lode Miners Memorial and relive the harsh conditions faced by the Cornish miners at the Daydream mine in Silverton.

ABORIGINAL ART AND CULTURE Experience indigenous history and culture dating back over thousands of years of settlement in the region. Throughout the tour we will learn about Mungo Man and Lady that proved the existence of Aboriginal people in Australia. Hear dreamtime stories told by our Aboriginal guide and visit one of the best collections of rock art and hand stencils set amongst the stunning landscape of Mutawinji National Park.

BROKEN HILL The expansive outback landscapes, industrial mining infrastructure and colonial architecture of the township provide a broad palette for both artists and filmmakers alike. It is not surprising that Broken Hill has a flourishing art and film scene. Pro Hart was born, lived and painted here while the unique character of the town provided the backdrop for classic films such as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Mad Max 2.

Detailed itinerary

Included meals are shown with the symbols B, L and D.

Tour start & finish time The tour starts on Monday October 26 at 6.00pm, at the Mercure Hotel, Wagga.

The tour ends on Tuesday November 4 after breakfast at the Imperial Hotel, Broken Hill.

Monday 26 October Arrive The tour commences at our Wagga accommodation at 6pm. After meeting Chris Carter for introductions, we enjoy a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Wagga (D) Above: the National Art Glass Gallery & Museum, in Wagga’s historic centre, which houses a growing collection of Australian art glass Tuesday 27 October The riverina Below: historic Yanga Station, an important pastoral station established by explorer William Wentworth in the 1830’s; and This morning we visit the National Art Glass Gallery & Museum, artefacts from Australia’s indigenous culture, dating back over in Wagga’s historic centre, which houses a growing and diverse 50,000 years, have been found in Mungo – this makes Mungo one of the oldest places to have been occupied by modern humans since collection of Australian art glass and prints, with a smaller but ancient times significant group of works by artists from the Riverina region. After our visit to the gallery we set out for lunch in Narranderra, the heart of Riverina. After lunch we continue to Balranald, where the Murrumbidgee River converges downstream with the Murray River. Overnight Balranald (B, L)

Wednesday 28 October Yanga station This morning we visit historic Yanga Station an important pastoral station established by explorer William Wentworth in the 1830’s and now preserved within the . We continue to Paika Station, located on a recently reinstated natural wetland for lunch and a tour, before continuing to Lake Mungo. We head into the National Park this evening to witness the sun setting over the Walls of China. Overnight Lake Mungo. (B, L, D)

Thursday 29 October Mungo National Park We return to the Walls of China this morning and walk across the lunette that formed along the Eastern margin of the lake to search for evidence of the earliest human inhabitants and extinct animals dating back 50 000 years. The World Heritage Listed Willandra Lakes system has remained dry for approximately 18000 years creating a significant archaeological region known for the discovery of Mungo Man, the oldest human remains found in Australia. We drive around the lunette, stopping at Vigars Well to climb the dunes for a spectacular view, and enjoy a picnic lunch. Overnight Lake Mungo. (B, PL, D)

Friday 30 October

To Bindara After an early morning walk along the dry western shoreline of the lake we depart for Pooncarie on the Darling River. Burke and Wills passed through here on their ill-fated journey to the Gulf of Carpentaria and paddle steamers loaded with bales of wool anchored at the once busy river port. We stop for a cold beer and lunch at the Telegraph Hotel before continuing to historic Bindara Station. Overnight Bindara Station. (B, L, D)

Saturday 31 October To Broken Hill The majestic red brick homestead and outbuildings on Bindara were built by Joseph Dunne around 1870 from bricks fired on the property using local clay while other materials used in the construction were transported up the river by paddle steamer. We explore the outbuildings and old cemetery and take a stroll along the banks of the Darling River where the bushland provides a natural habitat for a wide range of birds including many rare species. We drive to Broken Hill stopping for a picnic lunch and arriving in the late afternoon. Overnight Broken Hill. (B, L, D)

Sunday 1 November Explore Broken Hill Today we explore Broken Hill’s wide streets and heritage discovering the town’s mining past and thriving modern art scene. We take a walking tour with a local guide through the historic town centre past palatial Federation and Victorian buildings funded by mining wealth, tin cottages and 1930’s art Above: remnants of Broken Hill’s mining past still dominate the skyline; deco properties. On our way, we stop in at the Broken Hill Cecilia Resists Arrest in the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery. Local artist Sam Byrne has depicted a local Madam being arrested by the Regional Art Gallery housed in the refurbished Sully’s police. He witnessed this event as a child growing up in Broken Hill Emporium building. The gallery collection comprises colonial, modern and aboriginal works by Australian artists such as Lloyd Below: the Sculpture Site at The Living Desert Reserve just outside the city of Broken Hill - 12 sandstone sculptures highlight the skyline, all Rees, Pro Hart and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. This afternoon we with a story to tell visit the Line of Lode Miners Memorial located atop a mullock heap. The impressive structure pays tribute to the 800 miners who lost their lives working at the mine. Later, we take a short drive out of town to see the sun setting over the Sculpture Park. Overnight Broken Hill. (B)

Monday 2 November Mutawinji National Park This morning we make a 300-kilometre round trip north east of Broken Hill to Mutawintji National Park, dominated by the Bynguano Ranges whose vibrant colour beautifully captures the changing light and provides a backdrop for the famous hand stencil artworks of the local people. The ruggedly beautiful park shows evidence of continuous use by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. We are guided around Mutawinji by one of the traditional owners and introduced to its history, culture and embark on a walk to view the rock-art. Overnight Broken Hill. (B, PL) Tuesday 3 November Daydream Mine We travel 20 kilometres outside of Broken Hill for a guided tour of the Day Dream Mine site, founded in 1881. Starting on the surface we see the old township where the miners lived in extremely harsh conditions in the 1880’s and see the historic smelter used by BHP. Donning a hat and light as the Cornish miners, some boys as young as eight years old, would have done we descend underground to see how the mine once operated. We continue to Silverton and wander through the historic buildings many of which have appeared onscreen in films and television series. We may even stop in at the iconic Silverton Hotel where you can have lunch washed down with a cold beer before returning to Broken Hill in the afternoon. Overnight Broken Hill. (B, D)

Above: hand stencils in the Mutawintji National Park Wednesday 4 November Depart Below: Pro Hart’s Station Workers, 1974 - Pro Hart's art captures the sense of the local workers and the spiritual quality of the outback in The tour concludes after breakfast. (B) ways very few artists are able to emulate; and an old Church in Silverton – possibly Australia's most photographed outback landmark! A town so emblematic that every time anyone in TV or film wants to portray the outback they head straight to Silverton Hotels

Accommodation on this tour is limited by the remote locations and the number of rooms available at certain destinations. Our stays vary from motel style, to cabins and a station homestead with shared facilities. We have secured the best possible accommodation throughout.

 Wagga, The Mercure Hotel (1 night) A typical country style hotel run by the Accor group.

 Balranald, Club Motel (1 night) A modern motel, situated in the centre of Balranald

 Lake Mungo, Mungo Lodge (2 nights) Comfortable airconditioned cabins with verandahs in a unique location on the edge of the National Park.

 Bindara, Bindara Station (1 night) Our rooms here are shared within several historic buildings on the station, all have shared bathrooms only.

 Broken Hill, Imperial Hotel (4 nights) The Imperial is a landmark, heritage listed building which has been extensively renovated and converted into an elegant hotel. Our rooms all have ensuite bathrooms, there is a guest lounge, communal kitchenette for breakfast and a courtyard garden with heated swimming pool.

Tour Price Fitness Requirements

The tour price is $4,795 per person, twin share (land content of THIS tour only). The supplement for a single room is $1,175 per person. GRADE THREE

A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that secure a place on the tour. you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a Tour Inclusions star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater Included in the tour price fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider  Nine nights’ accommodation in carefully selected your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour. accommodation Participation criteria for this tour  Breakfasts daily, plus lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary This Grade Three tour is among our most physically demanding. To participate on this tour, you should be able to  Land travel by air-conditioned mini bus comfortably undertake up to seven hours per day, over  Extensive background notes several days. Activities may include travelling long  Services of a tour leader throughout the tour distances, walking on difficult terrain, climbing stairs,  All entrance fees to sites mentioned on itinerary embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, exposure to high altitudes and long days of touring. These tours may Not included include one night stops and early starts.  Airfares, taxes and surcharges (see below) You should be able to:  Travel insurance  keep up with the group at all times  Meals not mentioned in itinerary  walk for 5-7 kilometres at a moderate pace with only  Expenses of a personal nature short breaks  stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and travel OPTIONS museums  tolerate varying climatic conditions such as humidity and The tour price quoted is for land content only. The tour heat begins at our motel in Wagga Wagga and ends at the hotel in  a reasonable level of physical and respiratory fitness Broken Hill. Please contact Hannah Kleboe for the best travel  negotiate walking over uneven ground on dirt tracks, options to join the tour in Wagga Wagga and return from boardwalks and rocky terrain in the National Parks Broken Hill.  walk up and down slopes  negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites or Enquiries & bookings mountain paths, which are often uneven and unstable  get on and off a coach with steps or boat unassisted, For further information and to secure a place on this tour possibly with luggage please contact Hannah Kleboe at Academy Travel on  move your luggage a short distance if required 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside ) or email [email protected] A note for older travellers We regret that we are not able to accept bookings on a Weather on Tour Grade Three tour from people more than 80 years old, or with restricted mobility. October is a pleasant time to travel to inland NSW with temperatures historically ranging between 19–26ºC. Mornings in Western NSW and Broken Hill are still cool with minimums between 8-14 ºC rising to an average of between 27- 30ºC during the day. There is only a slight chance of rain.

Rocky cliff overlooking the plains, Mutawintji National Park

About Academy Travel Each year Academy Travel organises around 60 journeys to Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia and the Americas, each focusing on a distinctive historical, artistic or cultural theme. The aim of every Academy Travel journey is to combine the pleasures of independent travel with the benefits and shared enjoyment of a group. Academy Travel is an Australian-owned travel company, founded in 2004. The company’s staff includes both academic experts and travel professionals with over two decades’ industry experience. We also have our own office in Rome which organises our tours in Western Europe. This means we have direct control over the selection of hotels, restaurants, coaches and local guides, guaranteeing superior quality.

Great itineraries Academy Travel works hard to create itineraries that provide a balanced experience – walking tours, museum and gallery visits, live performances, city and countryside. We’re proud to be constantly innovating, from opening up new destinations, creating tours around festivals and special exhibitions, to providing unrivalled depth in our residential tours.

Like-minded groups Over the years we’ve been in operation, we’ve developed a loyal band of Academy Travellers, some of whom have travelled with us more than 10 times. They say the small groups (maximum 20, average 17) and distinct themes of our tours attract like-minded travellers and create a relaxed, convivial atmosphere.

Long stays Feedback from our clients consistently tells us that creating itineraries with three and four-night stops, or even longer, is far more appealing that rushing from place to place. Wherever possible, we plan our tours around a limited number of stops, making your travels more relaxed and more meaningful.

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Years of experience Academy Travel was founded in 2004 by a team with decades of prior experience in small group travel. On average, our tour leaders have over 11 years’ experience, some with 25 or more years. To ensure quality, we have our own office in Rome, Italy and a network of trusted suppliers around the world.

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