TO THE EDGE OF THE OUTBACK MUNGO, BROKEN HILL & 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 New South Wales 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 RIVERINA 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 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 Yanga National Park. 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.