Page 186 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

184  NE W SOUTH W ALES AND A C T

West of the Divide

In stark contrast to the lush green of the Blue Mountains and
the blue waters of the New South Wales coastline, the western
region of the state is archetypal of Australia’s Outback. This dusty,
dry landscape, parched by the sun, is an understandably remote
area, dotted with a few mining towns and national parks. Dubbo
and Wagga Wagga are the main frontier towns, but anything
beyond is commonly referred to as “Back o’ Bourke” and ventured
into by only the most determined of tourists. Even the most Locator Map
adventurous should avoid the area in high summer. West of the Divide
St George
The Blue Mountains pp168–83
Cunnamulla
Barringun Mungindi
Tibooburra LIGHTNING
RIDGE Moree Sights at a Glance
rwo
rw w
Nocoleche BOURKE Barwon
Nature Reserve Narrabri e Dubbo
Gundabooka Wee Waa
White Cliffs National Park r Lightning Ridge
Mootwingee ng n
National Park Darl rl r ing Cobar Nyngan t Bourke
Wilcannia Tamworth y Broken Hill
BROKEN HILL u Willandra National Park
DUBBO i Wagga Wagga
Adelaide Sydney
WILLANDRA Condobolin
NATIONAL PARK Key
Willandra Lakes Mungo National
WESTERN HWY
WE
World Heritage Area Park MIDWES E TE T Major road
Mildura STURT HWY Griffith Minor road
TU U
TUR
Hay
M
a WAGGA Track
Murr rra ray
Murray
Deniliquin WAGGA
0 kilometres 200 Main railway
Albury Regional border
0 miles 200 Melbourne
eDubbo for his part in the Breelong zoo’s emphasis is on breeding
massacre of 1900, when eleven endangered species. Visitors
* 39,500. ~ £ @ @ n cnr white settlers were killed. Dubbo can see over 1,000 animals.
Newell Hwy & Macquarie St (02) 6801
4450. ∑ dubbotourism.com.au magistrate Rolf Boldrewood drew
on the characters of the gaol’s P Old Dubbo Gaol
Dubbo is located at the inmates to write the classic novel Macquarie St. Tel (02) 6801 4460. Open
geographical heart of the state Robbery Under Arms (see p38). 9am–4:30pm daily. Closed Good Fri,
and is the regional capital of The most popular sight in Dec 25. & ∑ olddubbogaol.com.au
western New South Wales. The Dubbo is the large Taronga O Taronga Western Plains Zoo
area was first noted for its rich Western Plains Zoo, 5 km Obley Rd. Tel (02) 6881 1400.
agricultural potential in 1817 by (3 miles) from the town. The Open 9am–4pm daily. & 7 -
explorer John Oxley, sited as it is ∑ taronga.org.au
on the banks of the Macquarie
River. The city has since grown
into a rural centre producing rLightning Ridge
$45 million worth of food and * 5,000. ~ @ n Morilla St
agricultural goods annually. (02) 6829 1670.
Dubbo also has a strong
colonial history and period Lightning Ridge is a small mining
architecture. Among the more village and home of the treasured
interesting buildings are the black opal – a rare dark opal
1876 Dubbo Museum, with its shot with red, blue and green.
ornate ceilings and cedar staircase, Gem enthusiasts from around
the 1890 Italianate courthouse the world come to try their luck
and the 1884 Macquarie on the opal fields. The town
Chambers, with their Tuscan is also famous for its hearty
columns and terracotta tiles. welcome to visitors, unusual
At the Old Dubbo Gaol, visitors within mining communities,
can hear the tragic story of Jacky and its mine tours, plethora of
Underwood, an Aborigine hung Rhinoceros in Western Plains Zoo opal shops and hot bore spas.
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