Big Rigs on the road. We had to pull over and stop to allow this rather large mining truck to pass.
Set off into sunny skies, very flat, low scrubs, few trees and sparse grass lands.
Wentworth on the Murray River
Wentworth is where the Darling River meets Australias longest river, the Murray. The Darling has its source in northern NSW, 1400klm long, and the Murray in Indi Springs in the Australian Alps. Most of Victoria’s boundary is defined by this river.
Wentworth was a busy river boat port during the steam age. Today it is a popular holiday destination, and House Boats are very popular.
Wentworth Gaol is well worth a visit. Build in 1880, is an early example of Australian designed Gaol, such as in Dubbo & Hay.
There are River Locks worth seeing, also Lake Mungo is nearby which give an insight into early Indigenous life from about 30,000 years ago, with healthy fish stocks that could support the local community. Most of the lakes have dried up, including Lake Mungo.
Important skeltons have been found (Mungo Woman), dating from 26,000 yrs ago. It is possible the earliest known ritual cremation in the world.
Headed off to our final destination for the night in Redcliff, another river town on the Murray. Walked down to the local for a meal, and also watch Australia in the game against Nigeria. Sadly wasn’t on at the local, so returned early to watch back in the van.
The stop for the night was beside a lovely vineyard. Some of the late late seasons grapes still on the ground.
Charlton
Charlton is a small agricultural town on the Avoca River in northern Victoria. During this trip there is a constancy of our first nation people and how they have lived and cared for the land under such harsh environments. The other notable presence was Major Thomas Mitchell, a notable European explorer who was born In Scotland, but is well known as the Surveyor General of New South Wales.
A vital task in a colony where huge tracts of land were being opened up and sold to new settlers. Many roads surveyed under his leadership were being built by convict labour between 1826 and 1836 linking Sydney to the Hunter Region.
John Curtin, who was Prime Minister of Australia during the Second World War from 1941 until his death in 1945. He spent a few years of his early life in Charlton. His father was an ex policemen and a publican in Charlton.
Lovely town, with pleasant parks and surrounds, great Art Deco Theatre and local pubs. Subject to flooding, but has levees to minimise damage. Air Ambulance emergency beside the caravan site. Not sure what was involved, but was interesting as it unfolded.
