Destination's Journey

Tag: New South Wales

  • Gunnedah New South Wales

    Gunnedah New South Wales

    Gunnedah New South Wales

    Town History

    Located on the north west slopes of New South Wales, Gunnedah has a long history of habitation by the Kamilaroi people. The town’s name means Place of White Stones in the Kamilaroi language. Within 45 years

    Colonial settlers arrived in the area in 1833, taking advantage of the Patrick Plain fertile soil to farm sheep.

    Getting There

    Gunnedah was our second overnight stop on our road trip. Only a 90 minute drive from Dubbo, the road was in good condition the whole way. Direct from Sydney, it’s a five hour drive, but there are plenty of interesting stops along the way, the most notable of which is Coonabarabran.

    Attractions

    Gunnedah Town Centre

    The Gunnedah town centre is full of old historic buildings, making a walk though town interesting. While there, look at the buildings’ facades as they are often nicely decorated and show the year the building was built. Over time many buildings have changed owners but the original builder is often still displayed on the facade.

    Old Bank Chambers
    Old Bank Chambers
    Old Shop Fronts Kamilaroi Highway
    Old Shop Fronts Kamilaroi Highway
    Gunnedah Town Hall
    Gunnedah Town Hall
    Old Acropolis Café Building Kamilaroi Highway
    Old Acropolis Café Building Kamilaroi Highway

    Miners’ Memorial

    In the centre of town near Wolseley Park a statue pays tribute to the coal miners who brought wealth to the town. Many miners failed to return home because of the dangerous work and this is a memorial to them.

    Miners' Memorial Wolseley Park Gunnedah
    Miners’ Memorial Wolseley Park

    Red Chief Memorial

    Located in the town centre, adjacent to the NSW Government Offices building in Abbott Street this is first memorial erected in honour of an Aboriginal historical identity.

    Buried probably in late 1700`s. Cumbo Gunnerah was the legendary warrior and wise leader of the Gunn-e-darr people of the Kamilaroi tribe. He was buried, it is thought, in the late 1700’s in a manner befitting an Aboriginal man of great importance, that is in a sitting position, backed by a tree carved with totemic designs in his honour.

    Red Chief Memorial Gunnedah
    Red Chief Memorial

    Silo Art

    A beautiful piece of silo art now brightens one of Gunnedah’s old silos. Featuring Dorothea Mackellar and lines from My Country, it adds to the Mackellar presence in town. For our blog on the silo, click here.

    Gunnedah Maize Mill Silo Depicting Dorothea Mackellar and Lines From My Country
    Gunnedah Maize Mill Silo Depicting Dorothea Mackellar and Lines From My Country

    Gunnedah Water Tank Museum

    The Water Tank Museum contains artefacts from Gunnedah’s past, as well as an amazing mural on the outside, dedicated to the Vietnam War. To see our full blog and more photos click here.

    Gunnedah Water Tower mural
    Water Tower mural: Soldiers of 7RAR waiting to be picked up by Huey Helicopters by Jenny McCracken

    Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue

    In addition to the Silo art honouring Dorothea Mackellar, a statue of the poet riding a horse can be found near the Water Tower Museum. Our full blog and photos can be found here.

    Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue
    Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue

    Pensioners Hill Lookout and Sculptures

    This beautiful sculpture-filled park has great views over town, making it a must visit when you visit. An easy walk from the car park past the sculptures rewards you with magnificent views. Our blog and photos of all the sculptures is here.

    Aboriginal Man Sculpture Gunnedah
    Aboriginal Man Sculpture

    Gunnedah Rural Museum

    This is a fantastic place to visit especially for those interested in rural life in Australia from the late 1800s to late 1900s. We particularly liked the tractor and car collection, as they were extensive and in good condition. The museum also has a model railway out the front for rail enthusiasts. We really enjoyed this laid back huge museum. The full blog of our visit is here.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

  • Morpeth on the Hunter River

    Morpeth on the Hunter River

    Morpeth on the Hunter River

    Morpeth

    Initially created through by Edward Charles Close, who selected a property of 1,000 hectares Morpeth developed as a river port from 1831-1841.

    The river port grew steadily throughout the 1830s, but the construction of the Great Northern Railway in 1857, bypassed Morpeth. This resulted in Newcastle developing as the regional port. Morpeth became less significant commercially, but still survived as a township with its own history and heritage.

    The town is now popular with tourists because of its historic buildings and riverside setting.

    Getting There

    Sitting a 10 minute drive from Maitland, the historic town of Morpeth is one of the Hunter Valley’s major attractions. On the drive from Maitland look out for the brightly painted shed advertising “Dr Morse’s Indian Root Pills”, as it’s a well known site by the Hunter River. Originally from North America, these pills are still manufactured and sold in Australia.

    Parking in Morpeth can be at a premium on busy days, particularly in front of shops on the main road (Swan Street). There are more spots a available further down the road opposite the museum and old Post Office (now a vets).

    • Painted Shed
      Painted Shed Indian Root Pills on the Way to Morpeth

    Swan Street

    Most of the shops and restaurants face onto Swan Street, which makes them easy to find, because you are not wandering around back streets.

    • Row of Buildings in Swan Street Morpeth
      Row of Buildings in Swan Street Morpeth
    • Old Stone Walkway Morpeth
      Old Stone Walkway
    • Telephone Box in Morpeth
      Telephone Box

    Morpeth Bridge

    Opened on 15 June 1898, the Morpeth Bridge is a timber trestle bridge employing Allan trusses. It has two central iron cylinder span supports fabricated by Mort’s Dock. Spanning the Hunter River at Morpeth, the bridge is listed on the state heritage register because of its technical and historical characteristics. 

    • Hunter River Bridge
      Hunter River Bridge
    • Hunter River Bridge
      Hunter River Bridge
    • The Morpeth Bridge
      The Morpeth Bridge

    Historic Buildings

    Located on Swan Street, most of the historical buildings are in excellent condition and look beautiful. Many are now used for different purposes than what they were built for, so have small plaques in the footpath showing their original use.

    • The Old Post Office
      The Old Post Office
    • CBC Bank
      CBC Bank
    • St James Anglican Church
      St James Anglican Church
    • Derelict Trading Post
      Derelict Trading Post
    • Courthouse Plaque
      Courthouse Plaque
    • Commercial Hotel Plaque
      Commercial Hotel Plaque

    Campbell’s Store

    Located on the corner of Swan and Tank Streets, Campbell’s store is a collection of small businesses in one large building. From second-hand dealers, clothes and food, there is a lot to see and explore here. At the back of the building is a café and the Morpeth art gallery, which sells art and often has exhibitions on the second floor.

    • Ally Next to Campbell's Store
      Ally Next to Campbell’s Store
    • Post Box
      Post Box Outside Campbell’s Store
    • Rear of Campbell's Store
      Rear of Campbell’s Store
    • Old Railway Carriage
      Old Railway Carriage

    Other Interesting Things to See

    Walking around, you will find several interesting sights, including painted lane ways, sweet shops, and old telephone box, and a mannequin inviting you for free ginger beer tasting.

    • Free Ginger Beer Morpeth
      Free Ginger Beer Tasting
    • Painted Murals on Berkley Street Morpeth
      Painted Murals on Berkley Street
    • Painted Murals on Green Street Morpeth
      Painted Murals on Green Street

    What Did We Think?

    Morpeth is a great place to spend a day out exploring, because it has so much to offer. From historic buildings, antique shops, or a relaxing meal overlooking the Hunter River, it’s a great place to visit.

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

  • Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

    Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

    Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

    Kamay Visitor Centre

    Before setting out on the Burrawang Walk, drop into the Visitor Centre. Not only are the toilets located here, but it is full of useful information for your visit. The staff were very friendly and helpful, which made the day start on a positive note.

    Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

    Weaving through the history of the area, the Burrawang Walk takes you through the eyes of the original inhabitants of the area, through to Cook’s landing in 1770 and to its ongoing impact. Starting at the Visitor Centre it was originally called the Monuments Track, because of the monuments in the area. This is an easy track, because it’s only 1.2 km long, and mostly on grass or concrete pathways.

    Interpretive Signs

    Interpretive signs provide an insight into Aboriginal life in the area and the impact white settlement had on them. This is great because until recently, only European heritage was commemorated here.

    • Interpretive Area Burrawand Walk
      Some of the Interpretive Signs
    • Interpretive Sign Burrawand Walk
      Interpretive Sign

    Meeting Place

    The Meeting Place Kamay Botany Bay National Park Burrawand Walk
    The Meeting Place

    Cook’s Landing Place

    A large obelisk and plaque commemorating Cook’s landing place dominate one section of the shore. In 1770, Lieutenant (later Captain) Cook landed here and claimed the continent in the name of the British Crown.

    • Captain Cook's Landing
      Captain Cook’s Landing
    • Plaque at Cook's Landing
      Plaque at Cook’s Landing

    Banks’ Memorial

    Banks inclusion in Cook’s expedition as a scientist led to many discoveries of plants and animals unknown to Europeans. A large memorial to him sits near Cook’s memorial, which recognises his contribution to science.

    Banks Memorial Burrawand Walk
    Banks Memorial

    Solander Memorial

    An interesting memorial and the first one we saw is to Daniel Solander, a Swedish scientist who accompanied Banks on the Cook expedition. He was the first Swede and university trained scientist to set foot in Australia.

    Solander’s documentation of unknown plants led to the area being named Botany Bay, although now it has a dual name, Kamay Bay in recognition of its Aboriginal heritage.

    Overshadowed by Banks while also dying at the young age of 49, he did not develop the reputation he deserved.

    Solander Memorial Kamay Botany Bay National Park Burrawand Walk
    Solander Memorial

    Bronze Sculptures

    Sitting in, or on the water’s edge are three sets of bronze sculptures. These commemorate the 250th anniversary of the meeting of Aboriginal Australians and the crew of HMB Endeavour.

    • Whale Sculpture
      Whale Sculpture
    • Whale Sculpture
      Whale Sculpture
    • Whale Bone Sculpture
      Eyes of the Land and Sea
    • Whale Bone Sculpture
      Whale Bone Sculpture
    • Bronze Canoe Sculpture
      Bronze Canoe Sculpture

    First European’s Grave

    Located on the waterfront, is a plaque marking the grave of Forby Sutherland, the first British subject buried in Australia. Forby died of tuberculosis.

    Forby Sutherland Burial
    Forby Sutherland Burial

    What Did We Think of Burrawang Walk?

    This was a nice, easy walk with lots to see. The numerous information boards were educational, which made it even more interesting. This is a must visit if you are in Sydney, because of the number of memorials and European heritage.