Central Darling Region Ivanhoe, Mossgiel, , Menindee, White Cliffs and

The Central Darling Region covers the largest area of any local government area in NSW with over 53,000 square kilometres. Although it has a small population the region is renowned for its hospitality and its amazing array of fauna and flora. The region is the gateway to Mungo National Park, and Outback NSW.

Central Darling Region at a glance Must See and Dos Towns and Villages: Ivanhoe, Mossgiel, Wilcannia, ✔ Discover the Sandstone Architecture in Wilcannia Menindee, White Cliffs, and Tilpa (post office and its attached residence, the Athenaeum Population: 2,000 Library (1883) and the impressive courthouse (1880), Main Industries: Sheep, Cattle, Horticulture, Mining and police station (1881), and the police residence (1880) Tourism ✔ Visit the traditional craftsmen in Wilcannia Ivanhoe, Mossgiel, Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs, & Tilpa & White Cliffs, Menindee, Wilcannia, Mossgiel, G R e g ion - Ivanhoe, C e NTRAL DARLIN River: The Darling National Parks: Mungo, Paroo Darling and Willandra ✔ Learn about the history of Ivanhoe - follow the Heritage Trail and check out the mural ‘The Pioneers’ Did you know? ✔ Revel in the landscape at any one of a number of ’s first commercial opal field was established at National Parks in the region. White Cliffs in 1894 ✔ Spend the quietest, darkest night of your life underground at a Bed and Breakfast or motel at White Events Cliffs. April - White Cliffs Gymkhana and Rodeo June - Ivanhoe Campdraft August - Ivanhoe Quick Shear Reid Street, Wilcannia NSW 2836 October - Kilfera Field Days (Ivanhoe) Phone: 08 8083 8910 Website: www.centraldarling.nsw.gov.au

34 TheLongPaddock - Touring Route Ivanhoe Wilcannia Born through hard work and determination, Ivanhoe When you spend a few minutes taking in the historic represents the classic outback pastoral town. Through buildings around Wilcannia you can quickly imagine tough times and good, flood and crippling drought, the rich and vibrant history of this town. Once known towns like Ivanhoe have earned their place in Australia’s as the ‘Queen City of the West’, Wilcannia was one history. of the busiest inland ports and third largest port in Australia. During the 1880s boom years, sandstone was quarried to create the beautiful buildings that History today remain as a reminder of that prosperous era. Ivanhoe was originally situated on a well-used route across western between Wilcannia and both Balranald and . George Williamson purchased the first land in the area between 1869 History and 1873 and became a central figure in the town’s Australia has been inhabited by the aboriginal people development. He established a branch store with a for some 40,000 years. Lake Mungo to the south of liquor licence in 1870. At that stage the store and a Wilcannia and Mootwingi to the north-west give bark hut constituted the town. The Ivanhoe Hotel evidence of their long occupation. Because of this, came into existence by 1872 and a Post Office the Aboriginal people have a unique place in our opened on January 1, 1874. Australian society. The Central Darling area around Williamson probably named the town after Sir Wilcannia was held by the Barkindji tribe, and many of Walter Scott’s novel ‘Ivanhoe’. Williamson was a Scot the Aboriginal people living in Wilcannia today belong and there were a number of his countrymen in the to that tribe. In 1835, Major Thomas Mitchell followed area. They looked to their country of origin (and its the Bogan and Darling rivers down to Menindee, most famous novelist) for other local place names - during which trip he named Mt Murchison (later to Mossgiel, Glenro, Waverley (another novel by Scott) become Wilcannia) on the Darling. Settlement along and Abbotsford (Scott’s birthplace). the river commenced prior to 1850, but it was 1855 before the Central Darling runs were consolidated. A telegraph station opened in 1883, by which time there were about 50 residents, a blacksmith’s shop, two hotels, two stores, the telegraph office and a few cottages. By 1884, the town was a horse changing station for Cobb & Co. A police station opened the following year and a school in 1889. Ivanhoe was proclaimed a village in 1890. The arrival of the railway in 1925, and the completion of the rail link from to Broken Hill in 1927, was a definite boost to the town.

Attractions A good introduction to the town can be had by following the eight signposted locations on the Ivanhoe Heritage Trail. Ivanhoe, Mossgiel, Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs, & Tilpa & White Cliffs, Menindee, Wilcannia, Mossgiel, G R e g ion - Ivanhoe, C e NTRAL DARLIN

www.thelongpaddock.com.au 35 Captain Francis Cadell’s steamer ‘Albury’ entered White Cliffs the Darling at Wentworth on 27 January 1859 and reached Mt Murchison in eight days. The township White Cliffs is a small mining town of 320 people of Wilcannia was notified on 26 June 1866. In 1880 located just 95km north of Wilcannia. This truly unique it had a population of 3000 with 13 hotels and was underground town is a must see for those who want to known as ‘the Queen City of the West’. Wilcannia see the outback at its best. Stay underground to get a became one of the major ports of the Murray feeling of what it is like to be a local or wander around Darling system. The paddle steamer trade flourished the unusual landscape – you might just find a gem. for 70 years. At the port of Wilcannia in 1887, 218 steamers and their barges unloaded stores weighing 36,170 tons, and 222 loaded wool and other produce Menindee weighing 26,552 tons. Menindee was the first town settled on the Darling In 1890, there were 90 steamers plying the and is a mecca for bird watchers (there are more and at one time there were 30 steamers loading bird species here than in Kakadu NT). The area is or unloading at Wilcannia. Eventually rail and road known as the food bowl of the far west and produces transport killed the river boats and Wilcannia lost citrus, orchards, stone fruit, grapes and vegetables. Stop much of its former glory. However, many fine buildings and have a drink at the second oldest pub in NSW, the from its early days remain in good condition, making Maidens before visiting the famous Menindee Lakes. Wilcannia one of the best preserved historic towns in Bourke and Wills stayed here during their exploration Australia. of inland Australia.

Attractions Tilpa There are several fine traditional craftsmen and your For a true Outback experience you have to visit the visit may be an opportunity to purchase some of their Tilpa Pub on the Darling River. This 100-year old arts and crafts. Wander around town and take in the attraction, made from corrugated iron and timber magnificent sandstone buildings, centre lift bridge and has walls covered with the autographs, dry wit, and old wharf. messages from the hundreds of people who stop there each year. For a small fee you can pen a message or poem too. The fishing is also good - with plenty of Murray Cod on offer - while birds make their home around the riverbanks. Ivanhoe, Mossgiel, Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs, & Tilpa & White Cliffs, Menindee, Wilcannia, Mossgiel, G R e g ion - Ivanhoe, C e NTRAL DARLIN

36 Central Darling Shire - Services

Menindee Wilcannia Ivanhoe Accommodation Accommodation Accommodation Albemarle Hotel Grahams Motel Ivanhoe Hotel Menindee St. Ph: 08 8091 4162 Woore St. Ph: 08 8091 5040 Ph: 02 6995 1102 Maidens Hotel Wilcannia Motel Gypsum Palace Inn 59 Yartla St. Ph: 08 8091 4208 Barrier H’way Ph: 08 8091 5802 Ph: 02 6995 1389 Burke and Wills Motel Club Hotel Ivanhoe Service Station (cabins) Yartla St. Ph: 08 8091 4406 Barrier H’way Ph: 08 8091 5884 Ph: 02 6995 1277 Menindee Bridge Caravan Park Victory Park Caravan Park Wentworth Rd. Ph: 08 8091 4282 Barrier H’way Ph: 08 8091 5600 Meals Ivanhoe RSL Menindee Lakes Caravan Park Meals Ph: 02 6995 1208 Shore Rd. Ph: 08 8091 4315 Wilcannia Roadhouse Presso Café Copi Hollow Caravan Park Myer St. Ph: 08 8091 5957 Ph: 0269951292 Copi Hollow via Mendinee Ph: 08 8091 4880 Wilcannia Golf Club Ross St. Ph: 08 8091 5943 Groceries, Fuel and Bindara Station on the Darling other services Tandou- Bindara Rd via Menindee Groceries, Fuel and Starpoint Grocery Ph: 08 8091 7412 other Services Ph: 02 6995 1206 Idle View Holiday Cabin Wilcannia Auto Repairs Ph: 08 8091 5969 Danson’s Gypsym Auto Port Sunset Strip via Menindee Ph: 02 6995 1389 Ph: 0428 881 437 Wilcannia Roadhouse Myer St. Ph: 08 8091 5957 Ivanhoe Service Station Meals Ph: 02 6995 1277 BP Wilcannia Redsands Takeaway Reid St. Ph: 08 8091 5021 Ph: 08 8091 4444 Tilpa Accommodation and Maidens Hotel White Cliffs Meals Yartla St. Ph: 08 8091 4208 Accommodation and Meals Royal Hotel Albermarle Hotel (* meals provided, bookings Ph: 02 6837 3928 Menindee St. Ph: 08 8091 4212 essential) Killara Station Opal Pioneer Tourist Park Ph: 02 6837 3964 Groceries, Fuel and Ph: 08 8091 6688 other Services Coombes Service Station White Cliffs Underground Motel Perry St. Ph: 08 8091 4297 Ph: 08 8091 6677 (*) Ivanhoe, Mossgiel, Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs, & Tilpa & White Cliffs, Menindee, Wilcannia, Mossgiel, G R e g ion - Ivanhoe, C e NTRAL DARLIN Menindee Auto Repairs PJ’s Underground B & B Yartla St. Ph: 08 8091 4458 Ph: 08 8091 6626 (*) Darling River Supermarket White Cliffs Hotel Motel Yartla St. Ph: 08 8091 4288 Ph: 08 8091 6606 (*) Nations Roadside Produce Stall Wentworth Ivanhoe Road Groceries, Fuel and Ph: 08 8091 4215 other Services White Cliffs Store and Visitor Information Centre Ph: 08 8091 6611

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