Located at the junction of the Golden and Castlereagh Highways, Dunedoo has joined the list of town with grain silo art. This is an interesting choice of subject, because the jockey, Hugh Bowman is from Dunedoo. Bowman won 33 of Winx’s 44 races (she won a total of 38 of the 44 races). Also featured is trainer Chris Waller.
The other side of the silo features local wildlife, making great use of the silo. The mural was painted by Peter Mortimore and his wife Carolyn who grew up in Dunedoo, adding a further local connection.
Parking is available adjacent to the silo off the main street.
Winx and her Jockey Hugh Bowman Along with Trainer Chris Waller
Local Wildlife on the Dunedoo Silo
Sculpture Park
A sculpture park composed of metal birds is next to the silo. These birds are found locally, with each sculpture also having an information plaque on the bird. This was a good place to stretch our legs after a two and a half hour car ride.
Kookaburra Sculpture at Dunedoo
Black Swan Sculpture at Dunedoo
White Faced Heron Sculpture at Dunedoo
Barn Owl Sculpture at Dunedoo
Wedge Tailed Eagle Sculpture at Dunedoo
Dunedoo History
Dunedoo’s history from the original inhabitants to the arrival of the railway is displayed on information boards. Located near the car park, there is also a train mural on the back of the toilet building.
Wiradjuri Information Board
Railway Mural at Dunedoo
White Swan Café
Opposite the silo and sculptures, the White Swan Café offers meals and drinks, while offering take away if you don’t want to dine in. While inside, have a look at the decorations, which are from the 1950s.
Inside the White Swan Café
Inside the White Swan Café
Astronomy
An unusual and unexpected display was an information board for the planet Neptune. Centred on Coonabarabran, this is part of a virtual solar system, demonstrating how far away the other planets are.
The Planet Neptune Sign at Dunedoo
Dunedoo was a great place to stop and stretch our legs while admiring some art and grabbing a snack.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Located at Dubbo Airport, just a ten minute drive from town, the Flying Doctor Visitor Experience is easy to get to. From the entrance to the airport, simply follow the signs to the visitor centre, where a large car park allows easy parking.
Flying Doctor Visitor Experience
Housed in a modern building, the museum uses state of the art audio visual displays to explain the history and operation of the RFDS.
RFDS History
The first room contains a large central audio visual display, surrounded by information boards. These detail the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which gives you a great insight into what the RFDS has achieved.
The History of the RFDS
Information Board Detailing the History of the RFDS
An Information Board Detailing the History of the RFDS
Information Board Detailing the History of the RFDS
Walk Through Displays
Just outside the history display is a replica of a King Air interior. This is a great display because it allows you to see what the RFDS aerial ambulance looks like. The interior is all set out, including the beds, medical equipment and pilot’s seat.
Replica Interior of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air
Interior of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air Replica
Replica Interior of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air
Replica Interior of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air
Items on Display
Several display cases show some of the older equipment used, which contrasts with the latest technology on display.
Old Radios on Display
Medicines and Old Radios on Display
RFDS Treatment Room
Aircraft on Display at the Flying Doctor Visitor Experience
A retired Beechcraft Super King Air takes up one corner of the large auditorium, showcasing the main tool of the RFDS. A barrier surrounds the plane, but you are able to climb stairs to see into the interior.
In the Outback Trek Café, a de Havilland Fox Moth biplane replica contrasts with the modern King Air, demonstrating how far things have come since the early days of aviation.
Beechcraft B200 Super King Air VH-MVY of the Royal Flying Doctor Service
de Havilland Fox Moth VH-UQM Replica
Audio Visual Display
The centrepiece of both main rooms is an audio visual display. In the entry room, an interactive display allows you to hear people’s stories, while using headphones and a touch screen. In the large auditorium, a huge visual display runs a video, detailing medical emergencies and how they were treated. This gives a great insight into the RFDS operations and how important they are to remote locations around Australia.
Interactive Display
Large Visual Displays in the Auditorium
Outback Trek Café
After looking around the displays, the Outback Trek Café has a range of meals and refreshments, which is a great way to finish your visit. This area is spacious and provides a nice place to sit down and relax. An EH Holden used in the fund raising Outback Trek is on display here, along with the de Havilland Fox Moth biplane.
EH Holden at the Outback Trek Café
What Did We Think?
We though this was a great place to visit, because it shows the full history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in a modern setting. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in aviation or the RFDS.
We drove to Bathurst New South Wales from Lithgow, after visiting the Abercrombie Caves The main reason for our visit was to see the National Motor Racing Museum at Mount Panorama. While in the town, we took the opportunity to look around and experience what the town had to offer.
We stayed at the Quality Hotel Bathurst, which was clean and comfortable, with friendly staff. Breakfast was including with our stay and was delicious and filling. For dinner, we went to the Bathurst RSL, where we had a great meal at a good price.
Abercrombie
House located on the outskirts of Bathurst gives the visitor an insight into
the life of the rich. Open to the public, to help fund its upkeep, cost of the
interior is accessible. Ample parking is available on the grounds in front of
the house.
The father of the current owner spent time in China and the decorations reflect this. We were fortunate that the owner was there during our visit, and he spoke about the origin of some of the decorations and furniture on display.
You are
free to wander around the house, but are asked not to enter closed doors or
pass through roped off areas.
The exterior of the house and surrounding garden make an interesting addition to the building A collection of old cars rusting in one field and an old blacksmith’s barn being worth seeing. Went beyond our expectations.
This house was the residence of Ben Chifley and his wife Elizabeth from 1914 until his death in 1951 and hers in 1962. The house has been maintained as a museum since 1973 as a memorial to the late Prime Minister and his family.
Interesting from an historical point of view, we only looked at the outside, but guided tours are available at limited days and times if you are interested.
This heritage listed court house on Russel Street is a very impressive building designed by James Barnet. Opened in 1880, and still in use it can be best viewed from across Russel Street in Kings Parade where the whole facade can be seen. Next door is the Conservatory of Music, so we heard classical music while we looked at the court house!
Located at the George Street end of Kings Parade, this large monument commemorates George Evans, the first European to survey the area. In addition, the local aboriginal people who assisted him in his journey are also commemorated.
This is a large and impressive monument and celebrates the founding of Australia’s first large inland town.
We parked here for a walk through the city centre and relaxed under the shady trees while we had lunch. There are some lovely trees and plenty of places to sit in the shade and relax. Very popular with both tourists and locals. Great place to visit and relax.
The National Motor Racing Museum is probably the largest draw card for Bathurst, outside of the main race held there annually. The collection of racing cars and bikes is impressive and any motor sports fan could spend hours here.
The range of racing cars is extensive and includes utes, touring cars, F1, rally and even a solar powered car. The Bathurst 1000 has a section to itself, with Ford on one side and Holden on the other. The other makes are also present, with Jaguar and others represented.
There is a small section with the busts of famous winners and a history of the race.
There is also an impressive collection of motorbikes and rally cars and a good selection of old open wheel racers.
Many of the exhibits are loan and rotated regularly, so it’s worth checking if there is a particular vehicle you want to see.
The railway station is a beautiful old building not far from the Chifley Home. Parking is easy because it has its own huge car park. Outside the station building is a preserved steam train, locomotive 5112. Nice to be able to get up close and have a really good lock at this huge train.
Locomotive 5112
South African War Memorial
The Boer War memorial stands at the southern end of Kings Parade, not far from the Carillon.
The towers of this college are visible from many places in Bathurst, so we drove over to see it close up. An interesting building to look at, but we simply took a photo and moved on.
The Bathurst War Memorial Carillon is a 30.5 metre tall tower structure located in the centre of Kings Parade, in the centre of Bathurst’s CBD. A memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives in the two World Wars, the 35 cast bronze bells are rung daily at lunchtime. The picture really does not do it justice, it does look great, and you can have a close look from the outside to the inside. Definitely worth a look.
Corellen
What Did We Think of Bathurst?
So, if you are visiting Bathurst New South Wales for a race meeting, or the National Motor Racing Museum, spend some time in town. There is a lot to see and do.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
