TO THE EDGE OF THE OUTBACK MUNGO, BROKEN HILL & BEYOND

OCTOBER 23-31, 2018 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 23-31, 2018 early times until today. The Murray and Darling Rivers were the early transport corridors for Colonial trade. Irrigation from these waterways Tour leader: Chris Carter increased agricultural production and supported primary industry worth billions to the Australian economy.

Tour Price: $4,495 per person, twin share Beginning in on the River Murray, this tour provides an introduction to the history of this region and includes a short cruise on one Single Supplement: Single rooms are not of the few steam powered paddleboats still operating on the river. Enjoy available on this tour dinner at the renowned Stefano’s Restaurant, located in the cellars of the Grand Hotel. We travel to the lake systems of the Willandra Creek and the Booking deposit: $500 per person World Heritage listed site of Lake Mungo. Apart 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 - Maximum places: 20 just a small part of the continuum of human occupation that goes back more than 50,000 years. Itinerary: Mildura (1 night), Lake Mungo (2 nights), Bindara (1 nights), Broken Hill (4 nights) We continue to Bindara Station via Pooncarie. Bindara is located on the banks of the Darling River and we traverse the river floodplain looking for evidence of early Aboriginal occupation. We dine on the bank of the river, Date published: March 12, 2018 with our evening meal cooked over an open fire. Broken Hill was once one 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 Enquiries and includes an introduction to both the Indigenous and Colonial history of this particular region. bookings “I never tire of visiting this area. The landscapes of the river and lake For further information and to systems are constantly revealing evidence of deep and different past. The secure a place on this tour environment has changed significantly over the past 50,000 years – over please contact Jamal the entire period of human occupation. Evidence left behind by previous Fairbrother at Academy Travel settlers regularly reappears. It may take the form of a few shells from a on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 meal eaten several thousand years ago or the ruins of a hut built by an (outside ) or email early European settler. You just never know what you may find.” [email protected]

Tour Highlights

THE The Murray Darling River system has 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 a cruise on board a steam driven paddle boat and learn about the early irrigation feats of the Chaffey brothers.

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 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 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 Tuesday October 23 at 6.00pm, at the Commodore Motel, Mildura.

The tour ends on Tuesday October 31 after breakfast at the Imperial Hotel.

Tuesday 23 October Arrive Above: the historic Paddle Steamer, PS Melbourne, makes her way The tour commences at our Mildura accommodation at 6pm. down the Murray After meeting Chris Carter for introductions, we enjoy a welcome Below: artefacts from Australia’s indigenous culture, dating back over dinner in the cellars of the Grand Hotel at Stefanos Restaurant. 50,000 years, have been found in Mungo – this makes Mungo one of Overnight Mildura (D) the oldest places to have been occupied by modern humans since ancient times; and the historic homestead, outbuildings and cemetery of Bindara Station, located on the banks on the Darling Wednesday 24 October River, offer a living history ready to be explored To Mungo via the Murray

This morning we board the historic paddle steamer, PS Melbourne for a leisurely cruise on the Murray River. An informative onboard commentary provides an insight into the Murray Darling River system and its environs as we meander along the river. We learn about the history of the majestic steam driven paddleboats and enjoy a light lunch onboard before disembarking at Mildura Wharf. A short drive takes us to Wentworth where we make a brief stop to see the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers 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 25 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 26 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 27 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 28 October Explore Broken Hill Today we explore Broken Hill’s wide streets and heritage discovering the towns 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 deco properties. On our way, we stop in at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery housed in the refurbished Sully’s Emporium building. The gallery collection comprises of colonial, modern and aboriginal works by Australian artists such as Lloyd Rees, Pro Hart and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. This afternoon we 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) Above: remnants of Broken Hill’s mining past still dominate the skyline; Cecilia Resists Arrest in the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery. Local artist Sam Byrne has depicted a local Madam being arrested by the police. He Monday 29 October witnessed this event as a child growing up in Broken Hill Mutawinji National Park Below: the sun sets over the Sculpture Site at The Living Desert Reserve This morning we make a 300-kilometre round trip north east of just outside the city of Broken Hill - 12 sculptures highlight the skyline, all with a story to tell 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 30 October 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)

Tuesday 31 October Depart The tour concludes after breakfast. (B)

Above: hand stencils in the Mutawintji National Park

Below: Pro Hart’s Station Workers, 1974 - Pro Hart's art captures the Hotels sense of the local workers and the spiritual quality of the outback in ways very few artists are able to emulate; and an old Church in Silverton – possibly Australia's most photographed outback landmark! Accommodation on this tour is limited by the remote locations A town so emblematic that every time anyone in TV or film wants to and the number of rooms available at certain destinations. Our portray the outback they head straight to Silverton stays vary from motel style to cabins and a station homestead with shared facilities. We have secured the best possible accommodation throughout.

Accommodation on this tour is limited to couples or twin share only.

 Mildura, Commodore Motel (1 night) A typical country style motel located by the river and close to Stefanos restaurant for the welcome dinner. www.commodoremildura.com.au

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

 Bindara, Bindara Station (1 night) Our accommodation is in several historic buildings on the station in rooms within the Homestead, Boundary Riders Cottage or Jillaroo Cottage, all have shared bathrooms only. www.bindarastation.com

 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. www.imperialfineaccommodation.com

Tour Price Fitness Requirements

The tour price is $4,495 per person, twin share (land content of THIS tour only). Due to the limited accommodation options available on this tour, places are limited to couples or twin share only. 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  Eight nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.  Breakfasts daily, plus lunches and dinners as noted in Participation criteria for this tour the itinerary This Grade Three tour is among our most physically  Land travel by air-conditioned mini bus demanding. To participate on this tour, you should be able to  Extensive background notes comfortably undertake up to seven hours per day, over  Services of a tour leader throughout the tour several days. Activities may include travelling long distances,  All entrance fees to sites mentioned on itinerary walking on difficult terrain, climbing stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, exposure to high altitudes Not included and long days of touring. These tours may include one night stops and early starts.  Airfares, taxes and surcharges (see below)  Travel insurance You should be able to:  Meals not mentioned in itinerary  keep up with the group at all times  Expenses of a personal nature  walk for 5-7 kilometres at a moderate pace with only short breaks travel OPTIONS  stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and museums The tour price quoted is for land content only. Please contact  tolerate varying climatic conditions such as humidity and Jamal Fairbrother for the best travel options to join the tour in heat Mildura and return from Broken Hill.  a reasonable level of physical and respiratory fitness  negotiate walking over uneven ground on dirt tracks, Enquiries & bookings boardwalks and rocky terrain in the National Parks  walk up and down slopes For further information and to secure a place on this tour  negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites or please contact Jamal Fairbrother at Academy Travel on mountain paths, which are often uneven and unstable 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email  get on and off a coach with steps or boat unassisted, [email protected] possibly with luggage  move your luggage a short distance if required

Weather on Tour A note for older travellers October is a pleasant time to travel to Mildura with We regret that we are not able to accept bookings on a temperatures historically ranging between 19–26ºC. Grade Three tours from people more than 80 years old, or Mornings in Western NSW and Broken Hill are still cool with with restricted mobility. 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