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- Hari 26
- Kamis, 18 Mei 2023 08.00
- ☀️ 4 °C
- Ketinggian: 423 mi
AustraliaGoyder33°40’17” S 139°0’0” E
BURRA THE BALL FREEZER

Freezing night. -0.6 this AM weather says it feels like -2.8 and our camper pipes are frozen...we head them freeze up earlier this morning…
Rotten night with my gut…I have to be so careful with what I eat…
We had our brekky went back to basics toast…
Packed up then set off to drive around Burra to see the sights before we headed off…
First up was what is called the Paxton Square Precinct it’s all amazingly restored workers quarters around a complete square…now from the look of it accommodation….
(Paxton Square Cottages History
Content and images sourced from the Paxton Square Cottages publication, written by Eric Fuss & Meredith Satchell. Approval kindly provided to replicate.
Kingston Street in the 1930s.
William Paxton
Paxton Square is named after William Paxton, one of the founders of the South Australian Mining Association in April 1845.
When the Association set out later that year to buy half the Special Survey that was to be developed as the Burra Burra Mine, Paxton purchased 28 of the £5 shares. This proved to be a good investment when the shares returned 100% interest for many years, 400% for several and 800% in one year. In the company town of Kooringa he then built and leased out four hotels (the Burra Burra, now demolished), The Miners’ Arms (now The Burra), The Pig & Whistle (demolished after a fire in 1883) and The Smelters’ Arms (now a private residence) and the rows of cottages known as Paxton Square.
Paxton also invested in real estate in Adelaide, buying land at Lockleys and Semaphore South. He also acquired land at Gawler, which he subsequently subdivided as Willaston. He also purchased Town Acre 142 on Grenfell Street in Adelaide. From 1852-54 he took part in local government in Adelaide and in 1851 was invited by the residents of Burra to nominate for a seat in the new Legislative Assembly, but he declined. He did unsuccessfully contest the seat of Port Adelaide in 1853. In 1852 he was one of the founders of the short-lived Adelaide Morning Chronicle, which folded in March 1853. He also owned race horses.
Background to Burra housing in the 1840s.
The 1849 plan shows eleven cottages on the western side of the square (top right hand corner of the plan) apparently disposed as four two-roomed, six three-roomed and one four-roomed. The south side row at the time is shown as two three-roomed and a two-roomed cottage. The northern row must have come later and Cawthorne's supposed eastern row is absent and has not been traced elsewhere at any period. The company charged 3 shillings a week rent from the average weekly earnings of 25 shillings.
Mining for copper began at Burra in September 1845. Almost immediately it became apparent that this would be a rich mine and as a consequence miners flocked to the site. The mining company began to lay out their private town adjacent to the mine in early 1846 and gave it the local Aboriginal name of Kooringa. Since it was located entirely on the mining company’s property, sites could only be leased and freehold title did not become available until 1869. The miners were uncertain of the life expectancy of the mine and disliked leasehold, where improvements benefited the mining company and as a result many simply dug homes for themselves in the soft clay banks of the Burra Creek. The 1850 census returns showed that Kooringa and the settlements of Aberdeen and Redruth on the northern boundary of the mine property had a total population of 4,146, living in 327 stone houses, 121 wooden ones and an estimated 600 dugout houses, which accommodated some 1,800 people.
The mining company had by then erected many cottages for rent to their employees and among these tiny two or three roomed dwellings were predominant. As early as 1848 floods in the creek highlighted the dangers of the dugouts and the company encouraged people to leave their underground homes. Among the company’s dwellings were the Paxton Square rows. Erection of these may have begun as early as 1848, as they appear on the 1849 plan of Kooringa in the upper right hand corner of the page opposite. They are also shown in an S.T. Gill painting of 1850 and one by W.A. Cawthorne from the same year, where the latter intriguingly shows an eastern row of cottages, of which no trace now remains. Burra’s first historian, Frank Treloar also mentions this eastern row, saying in a newspaper article ‘Looking Back’ (Burra Record, 1929) that the Paxton Square cottages were erected later. This eastern group of dwellings does not appear in an 1872 photograph of the town. After three serious floods in 1851 the mining company refused to employ anyone living in a dugout. Miners relocated to the town or to the settlements on the fringes of the mine property. The dugouts would seem to have been abandoned by the end of the 1850s.
The 1849 plan shows eleven cottages on the western side of the square—apparently disposed as four two-roomed, six three-roomed and one four-roomed. The south side row at the time is shown as two three-roomed and a two-roomed cottage. The northern row must have come later and Cawthorne’s supposed eastern row is absent and has not been traced elsewhere at any period.
The company charged 3 shillings a week rent from the average weekly earnings of 25 shillings.
Site and construction of Paxton Square
The site of the square lies on the eastern side of the Burra Creek with an area of about one hectare. The builder, William Henderson built the western row in 1848-49 for William Paxton, a Director of the South Australian Mining Association. The architect of the rows of two, three and four-roomed cottages was George Strickland Kingston, another Director of the South Australian Mining Association. He gave his name to Kingston Street, on the south side of the square.
‘All the cottages are similarly constructed of solid random rubble walls and simple double pitched raftered roofs. The original roof sheeting of split timber shingles is evident beneath the later (1873) sheeting of corrugated iron.
Ceilings were originally of whitewashed hessian and later changed to lath and plaster in most rooms.
Floors appear to be of compacted earth originally, but have largely been surfaced with timber boarding or brickwork laid directly over the original earth floor.
While many cottages have been subject to various minor internal adaptations over the years, most are remarkably intact.’
(Ex Paxton Square Cottages Feasibility Study, Lester, Firth & Murton Pty. Ltd. 1979.)
A 19th century photograph of a Paxton Square Cottage; said to be the home of Mrs Howley where the first Catholic Mass in Burra was celebrated by Father Kranewitter circa 1853.
Residents of Paxton Square in the 1930s.
Cottages in the 1980s.
Hon. John Lewis MLC
In 1913 the Hon. John Lewis MLC, who had lived in Burra from 1876 to 1906 as manager of the stock and station firm of Liston, Shakes and Lewis, purchased the cottages from the SA Mining Association for £500. In 1914 Lewis stated his philanthropic purpose was ‘to present Paxton Square to the town for the use of indigent and deserving people’ – adding the proviso—’who did not get drunk’. He also hoped that the Burra Town Council would become the nominal owners, offering a further £500 to cover immediate repairs, to sweeten the deal.
Despite the apparent generosity of the deal, the Council responded rather slowly. Lewis was under the impression, following meetings with the Council’s representatives, that all had been agreed to, but in April 1915 the Council said nothing had been ratified by Council and they were of the opinion that rents would not cover future costs and the Council would be saddled with a costly responsibility. Ultimately they refused the offer and in 1916 it was even proposed to demolish the cottages in favour of a recreational reserve on the site. Eventually in March 1923 Paxton square was incorporated by Act of Parliament into a Trust to be administered by a Board of Management. John Lewis died 25 August 1923 and was buried at Burra, after the body was brought from Adelaide by special train.
The Lewis Trust included one nominee to represent the donor or his heirs and the ministers of religion of the town decided the suitability of the tenants. No profits were to be made, with all income used for renovation.
In the 1930s the cottages were fully occupied as might be expected during the Great Depression. At this time rents were one shilling per room per week for indigent families and two shillings per room per week for employed families. Few improvements were made, but in December 1939 the town council approved the erection of verandahs and about the same time galvanised iron lean-tos were constructed at the rear of each cottage and small rain-water tanks were installed. The water supply was extended to provided a tap in each backyard.
Restoration of the Cottages
In 2016 a $1.2 million project was begun to repurpose the Square to turn it into a 3.5 star-rated facility. This required completed refurnishing and upgrading of kitchen and bathroom facilities, air conditioning in place of open fires and modern televisions throughout. It was aimed at supporting Burra’s ambition to be the home of the boutique festival. The Bible Christian Chapel would become a communal meeting place for guests. The upgrading of the interiors of the facility was accomplished in 2017. Exterior work and landscaping of the central space was an ongoing project.
2017 refurbishment of the cottages. New roofing and the introduction of air conditioning, the flat screen television and a notice on the fireplace indicating it is no longer operational.
Enjoy your stay with us!
© Paxton Square Precinct 2023
Website designed by Tracey Dewell Designs)
From here we drove up the Main Street where I wandered along taking pics of old church’s, the Town Hall, Anaing wrought iron lace from homes…a walkway bridge across the rive looked like an old rail bridge. Also a small rotunda in the middle of the street….From here we headed up last a massive Chimney stack to a lookout over the old mine site and open cut mine and the town.
(History of the Mine 1845 August. Shepherds William Streair and Thomas Pickett discover outcrops of copper close to the Burra Burra Creek. Special Survey of 20,000 acres undertaken and divided between South Australian Mining Association and Princess Royal Mining Association
Burra Creek Special Survey
September 29 - South Australian Mining Association (SAMA) begins mining operations at the Burra Burra Mine.
1846
Samuel Stocks jnr. Appointed Resident Director.
Dr Ferdinand Von Sommer and then Captain Ey act as Superintendents.
Governor Robe visits and goes underground.
Bon Accord Mining Company begins mining operations adjoining the Burra Burra Mine.
1847
January. Captain Henry Roach of Cornwall appointed Superintendent of the Burra Burra Mine.
First smelting operations fail. [more]
Powder Magazine constructed. (now the oldest surviving mine building in Australia)
Restored Powder Magazine, the Burra Mine
Built in 1847, it is said to be the oldest existing mine building in Australia. It held between 5 and 6 tons of gunpowder stored in barrels and was lined with sheepskins to prevent accidental sparks. The surrounding wall was added some years after construction of the original stone building
1848
Mine employs 567
Miners strike for a week and then later stage an unsuccessful strike over wages from November to January
1849
Mine pays a dividend of 600%
Foundation stone of Patent Copper Co. Smelters laid in December
The Gulf Road [more] initiated to Port Wakefield.
The Gulf Road as it was known, connected a series of waterholes found at Gum Creek, Kadlunga, Skillogalee Creek, near Clare, Hoyleton, and Dunn’s Bridge at Balaklava for the bullock teams that hauled coal, copper and other materials between Burra and Port Wakefield at the head of the St. Vincent's Gulf.
Apoinga Smelter takes Burra ore
Patent Copper Company (later called the English & Australian Copper Company) begins smelting ore at Burra using Newcastle coal.
Roach's Engine House completed and pumping begins in October.
Dividends affected by 1848-49 strike: 2 of 100%.
1850
Burra Mine 1850
This very early callotype photograph of the Burra Mine, taken in 1850, shows the first engine house at the site. Roach’s engine was installed to pump ground water, discovered at the 20 fathom level, from the drives so that mining could continue. As the mine went deeper to 30 fathoms it soon became obvious that this pump engine could not cope with the flow of water into the mine and it was replaced with the more powerful Schneider’s pump engine in 1852.
Burra Burra Mine Showing Main Portion of Surface Operations 10th February, 1850
From the original watercolour by S. T. Gill at the Burra Regional Art Gallery This panorama of the mine, facing towards the south west, shows a rather busy scene with Roach’s Pumping Engine-house and its flue, the main feature of the painting. The launder from this engine-house, supported on tall timber pylons, reaches towards the hill on the left, where the water is discharged into the engine pool. The large shears with Johnny Green, the mine mascot, and the Union Jack atop are clearly shown. A couple with their child is in the foreground and there are bullock teams pulling drays along a well-worn thoroughfare. Numerous horse whims[more] are visible with piles of ore accumulating nearby and the stables are fenced off from the rest of the mine. Far off on the hill to the left is the powder magazine. All seems very neat and orderly, too much so. Donated by the Hon. John Lewis MLC.
Dividends paid reached a staggering 800%.
1851
Workforce at the mine exceeds 1,000 with 378 at the smelting works and other off-site employees of the smelting works brings their total to about 1,000 also.
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- Hari 27
- Jumat, 19 Mei 2023 09.45
- ☀️ 10 °C
- Ketinggian: 8 mi
AustraliaLake Kulluleraine34°16’18” S 141°35’16” E
BUSHMAN'S CARAVAN PARK

Our abode last night was the Bushman Retreat Caravan Park on Lake Cullulleraine the Park I am sure in summer would be hopping but now in winter a few Grey Nomads are all they seem to have staying…as I mentioned before amenities are just unreal very new and very slick in their setup…they really have thought the. Through as to how to set them up…very roomy with plenty of hooks and a good size bench to put your gear on…...I wanted to stay another night even though the road noise was extremely loud as it traveled over the water to make it sound much closer than it really was….so this morning Bill was upset about the road noise keeping him up all night…He had bought a big doner in Mildura as he was so cold the night before…not going well for Bill….I wasn’t in the best of mindset this morning and John trying to get me to make a decision about staying or not just made things worse…I wanted to stay but I didn’t want to put him and Bill out at all…so I said let’s go and started to pack…John was frustrated with me not being decisive as he wanted a definite answer….but at present my mind set being so tired after good 8 weeks of go, go, go I can’t think straight to make any plans of decisions….
We rang Vic last night had a chat as to when we will get there…and we also did video called Kerry in Bali…to chat about when we will go there..but sounds like we will just call in to see Joe as she us away until the 25th…so we either go and see Joe by himself or wait until Kerry is back….
Our new Heater from Big W didn’t seem to last that well through the night but once morning come it did seem to do it’s job although John put in the gas heater as well for a bit…
So after our Discussion to stay or go I Packed to go and off up the Hwy to Mildura we headed for a cuppa on the River at Cafe 1902 it’s a lovely spot indeed….spoke to Vic again while here…John has a parcel coming and she wanted to make sure she doesn’t miss it….
Bill headed to Bunnings to buy some gas canisters for his gas stove.we got fuel and then met him on the road..we headed off only to discover the place we were to stay at had shut down so onto another road and off to Robinvale where we had lunch by the Murray…huge old gums you could see the water line from the last flood….it was high… we had toasted sandwiches 🥪then headed off to Swan Hill….not much to see on the way other than hundreds of grape vine farms…a few olive, Almond, citrus and stone fruit thrown in…..there really doesn’t look a lot to see here sadly…the river cruise I had planned to go on is only an hour long….a bit short for me….will have to see in the morning what takes our fancy.
This is Pental Hill Van park set on the Murray…the setting is stunning…green grassed sites…massive river gums and old ploughs etc around…but no camp kitchen which Bill was very upset about and at $30 for none powered it’s a rip off we only paid $40 for power….and the amenities are a long, long way from the sites we are staying on…. Plus the amenities aren’t the best at all but bonus a hot shower outdated with little to no shelf to put your gear on. I managed...John helped me over to the shower…and we came back together. John met a guy from Perth next to us who works in mines so is his partner…they have 2 little boys…we met by the fire a couple from Tasmania they both were in very limited cloths compared to us all rugged up…..they had short sleeves, he had shorts and shirt sleeves
Bill is very disgruntled with this place I feel he will pack up tomorrow and head home…since the Anne Beadell has finished he has been like a lost puppy dog….A very lost man…Baca selengkapnya
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- Hari 28
- Sabtu, 20 Mei 2023 10.28
- ⛅ 13 °C
- Ketinggian: 69 mi
AustraliaMurray Downs35°22’36” S 143°36’46” E
Pental Island Holiday Park

Laid in
Horrible food miserable day so windy coming right at us from the western side…
Felt miserable being so cold…sat in the camper with heater to start with…
Ended up going to town to go to Aldi have a bit of a look around…walked the streets had a lovely morning tea hot Croissants with ham and cheese…
Bill didn’t go anywhere…
Got back raining on and off…
Did hand wash tea towels rags.cleaned car slide back draw filled with red dirt…
Made San Cho Bau for John…spent afternoon sorting hours going into the night.
So, so cold tonight feel crook so cold...rang dad…
Told about Janette’s husband having no funeral…very sad but that was him such a hermit…
Also dad told me Jack Petty going into a home also very sad…
Bill kind protected himself with tarps…much to my insisting we not John put up our tarp…so much work to pack it up tomorrow,.,
Bill cooked chicken bits tonight and rice I made it into fried rice….
He will leave us tomorrow just John and I it will be much easier…Baca selengkapnya
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- Hari 29
- Minggu, 21 Mei 2023 08.50
- ☁️ 14 °C
- Ketinggian: 73 mi
AustraliaMurray Downs35°22’36” S 143°36’47” E
Pental Island

What an absolutely awful night…up earlier even with little sleep because I was concerned the extra canopy John put up yesterday would rip off…so every time I head a different noise I was very unsettled.,.
I cooked the scrambled eggs inside the tent our poor little old single burner stove has a broken holder on top so hard for the fry pan to sit on it….
While packing and standing outside in the freezing cold wind….we called the kids…Alex was very chatty and James didn’t want to talk until, we talked about Bunny on an adventure…
So being good Johnpa and Rellma we took Bunny on an adventure to the playground…and sent it too the kids…Not sure Kate showed them…
We farewelled Bill today…by the time I got back from the shower room he had gone…
To be honest being alone has already taken the pressure off otherwise you are constantly checking with everyone to keep the status quo’s and not upset anyone…
Off we set down the Hwy
Stopping at Kerang took a few pics of the toilet murals and the water ways chocked with weeds…then a stop for Morning Tea at Cohuna at the Waffle House. All different vintage cars there for a get together…funny seeing a vintage sports car parked next to a Tesla….we will see how long the Tessa lasts compared to the already aged sports car….waited for ages to get our cuppa and 1/2 yummy waffle…
Stopped at Gunbower…..to see parts of the Murray….
Arrived at our Moama Tas Holiday Park around 1.30pm firstly got the wrong park both TAS holiday parks but different first names…both very well set up…both huge holiday parks…summer holidays down here is big business with all the access to the Murray and water sports…No wonder they were upset when the Murray was so low…Praise God for His provision to the country.
We decided not to go anywhere this arvo…just rest and I had one before getting lunch and doing all the washing...then uploading pics to my phone from the Camera then taking pics off the camera 📸 to the Hard drives….big job took 2 hrs to do a few pics with my multi USB connection…so had to take it off after that….
Phone call from Dad to tell me about the horrible caravan accident that occurred in Qld…turns out it as my cousin Dales son who died he was helping a friend move and died somehow from a heater in the van..
Dad also told me about Aunty Maureen dying after escaping from her Nursing home having Dementia she was found dead that’s just awful…so very sad these family tragedies….
Very sad… Dad also said one of the girls either Sue Ellen or Roslyn have major emotional issue…looking at it from a family prospective it’s rife…and I am part of it…
Staying at Moama Tasman Holiday Park…in a 3 bedroom for a $118 a night…well worth it very well set up…bonus is the heated aircon..,
Had left over Pea and Ham soup…
I went to bed pretty early
We had watched 2 movies earlier and some of Itchy Boots tonight...But my body is used to going to be early again….so off to bed I went..Baca selengkapnya
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- Hari 30
- Senin, 22 Mei 2023 10.13
- ☀️ 12 °C
- Ketinggian: 87 mi
AustraliaBower Bend36°7’30” S 144°47’3” E
Moama

Not the best night…woke with a horrible headache…too much Vino last night…
Have to plan what we are doing tonight…
Did my washing to finish up what I missed yesterday….
Phoned Lyn for a chat…Katrina and Bob sold their home opposite them…knew that would happen…
A walk down into the Red Gum forest at the back of us…seeing a massive House Boat bringing people back to shore after a night or 2 on the Murray….
Went to Echuca to have a look around…Bought ourselves a $54 Microwave…🤣🤣🤣
Then a walk around what turned out to be the Main Street had morning tea at a Bakery...then off to take a drive on a scenic drive…took a bit to find it as a massive new Bridge across Victoria to NSW over the Murray and all her facets…then back again as we accidentally drive over to Moama again…eventually we found the scenic area but not much left after building the massive bridge…not a lot to see but the river looks low with the massive banks internally down to the water level…so back to the Old Port area...we walked around...seeing part of the new Discovery Centre the steam engine display…it was so quite while going…a wander along the old wharf seeing lots of different size Steam Boats…stunning old beauties…an old steam engine. Standing on the line for Victoria and NSW…we looked around then had lunch after checking out about 6 different menus along the old street area….lovely lunch John had grilled Barra, salad and chips...I had a salmon bagel 🥯 I couldn’t eat so had part for dinner will have more later…
We headed back for a rest I was actually sick after dinner I had a Pink Lady Apple Cider and some Sweet Potato Chips too much fluid made me crook…just made it back before it coming up..,a rest then a walk up to take pics of bunny in the kids play area…
Phoned Jane to tell her we would be there to visit on our way home…
Early dinner…watched a movie STILL WATER ….Baca selengkapnya
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- Hari 31
- Selasa, 23 Mei 2023 08.15
- ⛅ 3 °C
- Ketinggian: 93 mi
AustraliaBower Bend36°7’29” S 144°47’3” E
Moama NSW

Up early after another bad night of sleep….
Had a shower washed the hair…loved their huge white wall tiles in the bathroom…very thick set tiles…about 12x12….
The morning bought with it lots of fog all through the Gums and across the water and up the river…it looked awesome…took shots then jumped in the car and off we speed….
Our first call was to Rochester Possum, Kingfisher and Platypus murals….Iddles Lane Mural.
Iddles Lane Mural
Find it on the south side of Gillies St, east of the Shamrock building
Officially opened – March 15th, 2020
Rochester’s Iddles Lane has come to life under the hand of artist Tim Bowtell who has painted the story of Rochester-born former homicide detective Ron Iddles OAM APM while recognising Ron’s twin brother, international chef Barry Iddles, as well as embracing other family members who were active for many years in the Rochester community.
Rochester Business Network (RBN) received funding for the project from the Australian Government through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment under the Murray Darling Basin Economic Development Program.
RBN president Glenda Nichol, with the cooperation of the Iddles family, spent months researching for the content of the mural, determined to portray not only Ron’s career achievements, but to illustrate his outstanding character traits which has earnt him the respect of both victims and criminals. His serious “police’ face is his trademark, but we also wanted to show the relaxed, smiling family man and for visitors who have not heard of Ron Iddles, to read the wall and learn why he is known as Australia’s Greatest Detective.
The Artist – Tim Bowtell – Samaria, Victoria
Tim began painting in 2005 and went on to study Visual Arts at TAFE, holding his first solo exhibition at Benalla Art Gallery in 2011. He has won numerous awards and was chosen to participate in Benalla’s Wall to Wall Arts Festival multiple times.
The four-mural silo art work at St James was probably his best-known work before he commenced the Iddles Lane Mural.
Then onto Colbinabbin to see the massive Silos still in a tiny grain silo town all silos were in use…
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RAILWAY THE COLBINABBIN DISTRICT:
The original German settlers established farms along the Mount Camel Range, (the top of the hill to the west of the township) and built a school, a post office and a community hall to serve their families.
In August 1881 a Colbinabbin Railway League consisting of farmers agitated for a railway line to enable the transportation of produce and livestock to Melbourne, in 1913 construction of the line was completed.
It extended from Rushworth to Colbinabbin West of the Cornella Creek costing $42,970 for the 121⁄2 miles of track. It took sixty men to build 1 mile of railway line per week. The line was then extended to the current site of the silos.
The Colbinabbin West community realised that it would be impossible to run the train tracks up and over the hill to the town, so it was decided to establish the township in a more suitable location down on the plain, to be known as Colbinabbin East. Thus, Colbinabbin Village settlement was established in 1893 and by 1913, was a bustling township. This is the present site of our township.
The first trucks of grain left Colbinabbin Railway Station in February 1914.
There is a dedicated viewing area for this silo in Collins Street
Then onto Rushworth where it was a street of Heritage buildings….there was a really interesting tiled wall display near what was the old rail stn….we had morning tea at the local Bakery lots of little old shops here…some functioning some not….
Spent some time taking pics then off up the Hwy through lots of little towns all looked interesting…
Rushworth was established during the Victorian gold rush in 1853. It was named by poet and later local Goldfields Commissioner Richard Henry Horne in 1854. Its post office opened on 16 September 1857.
The goldfields became no longer viable due to the underground water table and were closed during the gold rush.
The Rushworth Magistrates' Court closed on 1 January 1990.
Rushworth is an old goldmining town which retains much of its original character through its many early buildings. It is located 166 km north of Melbourne via Murchison and 145 m above sea-level. Today there are about 1000 residents.
Rushworth became a stopping place in the early 1850s for those travelling between the Bendigo and Beechworth diggings. Gold was discovered near the future townsite in August 1853 when some diggers, camping overnight, were shown some 'pretty' stones by local Aborigines who then led them to their point of origin. The first settlement was established 1.5 km east of present-day Rushworth. It was known as 'Nuggetty', owing to the numerous large nuggets found. There were soon hundreds of tents and slab huts, stores, wine shanties, dams, puddling machines and crushing machines. Alluvial gold was then found in plentiful supply right throughout the area and underground shafts were sunk to a depth of 270 metres, locating gold reefs 2.5 metres thick. 26 mines were operating at its peak and there were allegedly 40 000 people living in the district.
Poet Richard Horne, a friend of Charles Dickens, was made one of the two gold commissioners overseeing the rush and he gave the town its name. One theory is that he took the English idea of ending a town's name with '-worth' and jokingly coined the term 'Rushworth' (i.e., a worth-while rush) or that he named it after two fellow passengers from the ship that brought him to Australia. Horne and fellow-commissioner Willoughby successfully quelled potential riots over the expensive miner's licence.
The area which is now High St (the main road) began developing in 1853. A survey of the site was conducted in 1854 and by 1858 there was a police camp, a wooden courthouse, five hotels, two breweries, a school, seven large stores, 20 tradesmen's shops and two banks; all at the southern end of High St. The first local newspaper, the Waranga Echo, started in 1868 although the mining began to wind down in the 1870s. However, the town continued to prosper as timbergetting became a major local industry with at least seven sawmills operating at one stage. Now only Risstroms Sawmill remains.
The town declined during the Great Depression but has survived. Mixed farming is now carried on under irrigation.
21 km west of town is the locality of Colbinabbin where novelist Joseph Furphy had a selection from 1868 to 1873, although he later described it as 'the worst selection in Rodney Shire' and soon headed off to the Riverina area of NSW.
High Street Heritage Walk
In 1983 High St (the main thoroughfare) and its adjacent streets were declared an Urban Conservation Area by the National Trust. High St began its life in 1853, at the outset of the goldrush. Until the railway arrived in 1890, the southern end of the street was the focal point of local business and so many of the older buildings are clustered there.
Start your investigation of High St at the Hyde St intersection. On the south-eastern corner is an old steam traction engine whistle post (1906). This sign warned steam engines which were hauling logs from Rushworth Forest to the local sawmill to sound their whistle. On the hill is St Paul's Anglican Church, a Gothic Revival structure built in 1869-70. Diagonally opposite the whistle post is the town's second courthouse (1870s). Head north along High St. At the Horne St corner is the Waranga Shire Hall (1869). Turn left into Horne St and on the left is the old fire brigade hall (1890s).
Return to High St, continuing northwards. On the right-hand side is the town's oldest building - the Imperial Hotel which has recently been turned into a bed and breakfast. It started its life in 1854 as the Imperial Hotel and has taken the new owners five years to restore this famous building to its full Victorian charm. Just past it are the first CBC Bank, the second CBC Bank (1883) and Cracknell's Bakery - all now private residences. On the other side of the road is the Criterion Hotel (1856). The first school was established on its south side in 1858.
Continue along High St. To the left is the Glasgow Building (1858). In the middle of High St, in the central plantation, are the band rotunda (1888) with the base added to store fire equipment in 1901. The Rushworth Brass Band have been operating locally since 1874 and they are still in action. The Fire Tower dates from 1900 and the RSL Memorial Clock from 1923. There are picnic-barbecue facilities and an information stand.
On the western side of High St, between Wigg and Parker Sts, are a series of old shops. At High and Parker is the former office of the Chronicle newspaper (1888).
We passed heaps of different Gums (Red Gums, Stringy Bark, Box Gums) along the way, vineyard after vineyard…heaps of Cellar doors zipping by them all….
We stopped for our own lunch at a football ground by a river in Yarra Glen…yes it was cold but we sat in the sun…I finished my salmon bagel 🥯, John had a ham sandwich a cuppa then off we get going making a decision to head to the Storer’s….
A long trip getting there after dark at 6pm….We did stop at Yarragon for a cuppa...they had their public toilets all done with Art looked great…
Saw about 10-12 foxes hanging on one of the fences going through one of the tiny communities…
Vic had dinner already for us Pumpkin Soup, A fantastic Chicken pie…funny when we had morning tea I had noticed all these big pies 🥧 for sale at Rushworth Bakery and noticed the chicken pie and nearly bought one…lucky I didn’t Vic had one for us for dinner…
Warm inside good not to be in the camper…Baca selengkapnya
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- Hari 32
- Rabu, 24 Mei 2023 08.00
- ☀️ 6 °C
- Ketinggian: 14 mi
AustraliaFoards Hill37°48’53” S 147°37’40” E
Bairnsdale Vicky & Bill's

Slept on Vicks blow up bed…it has a pillow part on it and what a pain made it too hard to sleep on it…
Taking time out from doing the diary while at Vics
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- Hari 33
- Kamis, 25 Mei 2023 08.00
- ☁️ 13 °C
- Ketinggian: 11 mi
AustraliaAmboyne Hill37°49’32” S 147°37’50” E
Bairnsdale

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- Hari 34
- Jumat, 26 Mei 2023 08.00
- ☀️ 8 °C
- Ketinggian: 11 mi
AustraliaAmboyne Hill37°49’32” S 147°37’50” E
Bairnsdale

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- Hari 35
- Sabtu, 27 Mei 2023 08.00
- ☀️ 9 °C
- Ketinggian: 11 mi
AustraliaAmboyne Hill37°49’32” S 147°37’50” E
Bairnsdale

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- Hari 36
- Minggu, 28 Mei 2023 10.46
- 🌧 13 °C
- Ketinggian: 11 mi
AustraliaAmboyne Hill37°49’32” S 147°37’50” E
Bairnsdale

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- Hari 37
- Senin, 29 Mei 2023 08.45
- ⛅ 10 °C
- Ketinggian: 14 mi
AustraliaFoards Hill37°48’53” S 147°37’40” E
Bairnsdale

Took our time lacking up, had Brekky with the Storer’s then off up the Hwy we went
Travelled through lots of little communities on many back roads…Past the old rail bridges of Orbust..
Had morning tea at Cann River horrible coffee from the bakery…even John threw his both had burnt coffee flavour…Cann River had grown a bit since last visit…a few places for coffee….they had a huge Lyrebird made of metal and as you walked by it it made its Lyrebird sound…🤣 also some great Murals on one of the coffee shop outer walls…
Lunch at drive through Boworra which was the Superb Parrot it had some great old buildings that I had to snap quickly as we drove through….Bombala that was a Platpus Reserve place…
Travelled through outskirts of Canberra
Stayed at Murrumbateman Country Inn…there was a stuff up with our booking I must not have checked the date on it and it had us coming in on the 26th of June…fortunately I could cancel that booking and they were really understanding and had one room left we could get cost a little less going through them…took a bit of getting the camper in here as limited space…
Had dinner at the Pub it was ok Bangers and mash…only thing was I got sick after dinner taking my pills on top of eating…The Pub was absolutely packed when we had dinner…
I sent Sel a msg to see if this was where Fern and Dillon live and yes it is …..but we didn’t have time to see them and she was working a late at the Police Stn anyway…
Off to bed early both really tired….Baca selengkapnya
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- Hari 38
- Selasa, 30 Mei 2023 07.30
- ☁️ 7 °C
- Ketinggian: 565 mi
AustraliaMurrumbateman34°58’11” S 149°1’47” E
Murrumbateman

Up early, after our early night last night…made our brekky, then left early today.
Again John picked all the out of the way old towns to get to where we wanted to go… so nice driving through these little towns…. All with great old historic buildings.
We stopped at Canowindra for morning tea it had a very neat little coffee shop as part of the Motel…didn’t look like it had been open long….
From …..to Dubbo were Animals on Bikes dotted along the whole trip in peoples properties…
Lunch at Mendooran old country pub…very old, but at least this one isn’t shut…
Stayed at the Matthew Flinders Motel Coonabarabran
Just had left overs for dinner watched burning at. Lifestyle channel was the most exciting…Baca selengkapnya
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- Hari 39
- Rabu, 31 Mei 2023 07.30
- ☁️ 7 °C
- Ketinggian: 516 mi
AustraliaDavid Bell Park31°16’42” S 149°16’47” E
Coonabarabran

Up early from our night at Coonabarabran and heading for Robyn and Greg's to catch up with Jane
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- Hari 40
- Kamis, 01 Juni 2023 08.00
- ☀️ 9 °C
- Ketinggian: 376 mi
AustraliaPike Creek28°58’50” S 151°30’22” E
Robyn and Greg's Shearing Shed

Staying at Robyn and Greg's
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- Hari 41
- Jumat, 02 Juni 2023 08.00
- ☀️ 9 °C
- Ketinggian: 376 mi
AustraliaPike Creek28°58’50” S 151°30’22” E
Robyn and Greg's

Still here
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- Hari 42
- Sabtu, 03 Juni 2023 08.00
- ☀️ 12 °C
- Ketinggian: 376 mi
AustraliaPike Creek28°58’50” S 151°30’22” E
Glenlyon dam

Leaving for home
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- Hari 43
- Minggu, 04 Juni 2023 12.38
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Ketinggian: 185 mi
AustraliaBiloela24°24’2” S 150°31’8” E