A houseboat on the Murray-Darling near Wentworth

Wentworth (including Dareton and Curlwaa)
Major town on the Murray-Darling river junction
Wentworth is an attractive old town located 1047 km west of Sydney via the Great, Mid Western and Sturt Highways and 37 m above sea-level. The population is currently around 1500.

Wentworth's history is inseparable from its position where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet. The world's fourth-largest river system it drains one-fifth of Australia. Explorer Charles Sturt arrived at the junction in 1830 and identified the Darling as "a new and beautiful stream coming apparently from the north". He weighed anchor opposite a tree which he marked. This tree, known as Sturt's Tree, still retains his imprint and is located by the riverbank in Willow Bend Caravan Park at the southern end of Darling St. There is an explanatory plaque.

Sturt was followed by Thomas Mitchell who headed down the Darling to its junction with the Murray in 1836. After Joseph Hawdon, Charles Bonney and Charles Sturt overlanded cattle from Sydney to Adelaide in 1838 other squatters began to follow them out into the new pastures along the Murray. The intersection became known as Hawdon's Ford as Hawdon regularly used it as a spot for driving his stock across the Murray. This established its central importance as a river crossing for stockmen headed to Adelaide and the site gradually became a focal point of the surrounding pastoral district.

The first settlers at the junction were drovers who established a camp at the junction in the 1840s. Frequent and violent conflict arose with the Aborigines. While most skirmishes were limited there was one ill-publicised massacre in the area. Leaseholds along the Darling stipulated that the property owners had to furnish the Aborigines on the properties with provisions and permit the hunting of traditional game. When Avoca station fell upon a period of hardship the bread provision was garnished with arsenic and the entire tribal group was found dead the next morning.

The first houses at present-day Wentworth appeared c.1851. The future of the town was determined when William Randell's river steamer Mary Ann sailed from Mannum near Adelaide down the Murray past the Darling junction. He was hotly pursued and overtaken by Francis Cadell's Lady Augusta. Randell moved there with his wife and opened a small general store in 1856 and Cadell opened a trading store at the junction later that year.

The town soon became an important and commercially influential river port at the centre of the NSW, Victorian and South Australian river trade and, effectively, the capital of the district. Much of the wool clip of south-western NSW found its way via bullock, donkey and camel wagon to Wentworth. A wharf was erected by 1860. It was dismantled in 1982 but a similar red gum wharf was built in its place.

A survey was made of Hawdon's Ford in 1858. It was proclaimed as Wentworth in 1859 after William Charles Wentworth, a significant politician who advocated self-government, trial by jury and liberty of the press.

In 1860 Wentworth was formally laid out, a police officer arrived, a postal service was established and a stage coach service began operating between Wentworth and Mt Murchison. By the time Wentworth was declared a municipality in 1879 it was, in fact, the busiest inland port in Australia. In 1895 485 vessels were recorded as passing through the Customs House with a record 31 in one week alone.

The decline of the river trade as the railway expanded, and the development of Mildura, halted the town's expansion. However it remained a service centre to the surrounding pastoral district and a farm irrigation scheme. Today wool and fruit remain at the centre of the local economy.

Wentworth Show and Gymkhana is held in August and a street party in December. There are two golf courses and those staying at Willow Bend Caravan Park can feed the brush-tail possums which gather each night.

Things to see:  

Aboriginal Heritage
Wentworth has a number of historic sites associated with the former occupation of the land by the Barkindji people, the largest tribe in NSW. The best way to see these is through Harry Nanya Tours, an Aboriginal-owned and operated eco-tourist venture which offers six different tours. These incorporate an examination of Perry Sandhills, just off Renmark Rd, 5 km north-west of town. Covering 10 hectares these rolling red sandhills date back to the Ice Age (40 000 years ago) and contain evidence of early Aboriginal occupation, as does Thegoa Lagoon, adjacent. The tours take in the river junction, Lake Victoria, Lake Mungo, the Pioneer Museum, Scotia Sanctuary, the river system, canoe trees, middens, native bush plants, local wildlife, performances by Barkindji dancers, examples of bushtucker and an historical view from the Aboriginal perspective, including insight into the impact of white settlement. Harry Nanya Tours are located at Shop 10, Sandwych St, tel: (03) 5027 2076. At the same location is Harry Mitchell Art and Craft Shop, featuring examples of Aboriginal culture.

The Wentworth Courthouse

Historic Buildings
St John's Church of England was erected in 1871 of stone and mud mortar with bricks around the edges. Owing to the fact that it was the first church to be built on the Darling, it has been classified by the National Trust. Next door to the Anglican Church is Wentworth State School, some of its buildings dating back to 1860. Also of historical interest in Darling St are the post office, the 1885 water tower (prefabricated in Scotland), the old customs officer's house and Wentworth Courthouse (1879), a brick building with timber verandahs.

The old courthouse building, a slab cottage, is also extant. It is located in Fotherby Park, just over the Darling River Bridge. Also in the park is the dry-docked paddlesteamer Ruby, near the junction of the Darling River and Tuckers Creek. One of the last steamboats engaged in the passenger and cargo trade, it is currently being restored and will be moved to a position alongside the new wharf.

The Possum Man with the MS Ruby in the background on the banks of the Darling River

The statue in the park is a monument to a local legend. The inscription reads: 'David James Jones 1901-1982. A will o' the wisp nomadic recluse who lived for 54 years in the bushland downstream of Wentworth'. Jones was known as 'The Possum' because he often slept in trees. Nearby are the remnants of the old Wentworth Bridge and bits and pieces of old agricultural equipment. Also in the park is a bunya pine, the seeds of which were much sought after by the Australian Aborigines.

Aboriginal Canoe
If you cross the bridge to the southern side of Tuckers Creek and take the road to the hospital on your immediate right you can park your car and walk across to the northern bank of the Murray where there is a canoe tree - one in which a section of bark has been removed for the construction of an Aboriginal canoe. If you walk westwards along the narrow stretch of land between the two rivers towards the river junction there is a walking path through a wildlife reserve.

Wentworth Gaol

Wentworth Gaol
The old Wentworth Gaol is considered the best example of a small Victorian gaol in NSW. It was built from 1879-1891 of a million locally-made bricks with bluestone trim from Victoria and slate brought from Wales as ship's ballast. It was a small but notoriously harsh prison for more serious offenders with 10 male and 2 female cells, massive 45-cm thick walls, lookout towers, a stretching rack, a whipping stool, stocks, and shackles set into a boulder in the unshaded centre of the courtyard. The gaol closed down in 1929. Today it houses the Morrison collection of antique bottles, gemstones, minerals and Australiana and a statue of Harry Nanya, his partner and their child. Harry Nanya, who died around 1880, was one of the last fullblooded, free-roaming Aborigines of the local tribe. The prison is open every day from 10-5 in Beverley St, near the intersection with Francis St, tel: (03) 5027 3337.

Wentworth Museum
On the other side of Beverley St is the Museum. Open from 10.00am - 5.00pm daily it has 3000 items including fossil remnants found at Perry Sandhills of extinct Australian megafauna, including the diprotodon (a sort of giant wombat) and a giant kangaroo. There are also replicas of some of these animals situated in a diorama. The museum also has an unusual redgum tree trunk. When it was cut down in 1971 it was found that the tree had grown around and entirely engulfed another tree stump which had been felled with an axe. The inner tree has been dated at 200 years. There is also an enormous mural, several pieces of locally-found space junk from satellites dating back to the 1960s and some interesting and antiquated machinery, including an example of the world's first outboard motor.

Monument to a Tractor
There is a monument to the Ferguson tractor at the corner of Adelaide and Adams Sts. This is probably the only monument to a tractor in Australia. It commemorates the saving of the town in 1956. During that year the floods rose to a point where the entire town was threatened. The locals, with the help of about 35 Ferguson tractors, worked day and night for months to build levee banks. It is widely accepted that these levee banks saved the town.

War Memorial
The town hall wall in Adelaide St has an unusual war memorial - a wooden roll of honour made by a German internee during World War II. It is fashioned into a book with leaves that turn and a wooden bookmark.

St Ignatius High School
St Ignatius High School, restored by the National Trust, is situated on the northern bank of the Murray at the corner of Short and Cadell Sts. Opened in 1911 it was run by the Sisters of Mercy until it became a kindergarten in 1925. Further west along Cadell St is a nunnery built by Wentworth's first mayor, William Gunn, in 1892.

William Gunn also built what is the oldest-surviving private residence in the district, Rendelsham House, which dates back to 1868. Located on the corner of the Silver City Highway and Adams St it is now privately owned and, so, can only be viewed from outside.

Junction of the Darling and Murray Rivers
Those wishing to have a good look at the river junction can access a viewing tower at Junction Park. Turn left off Cadell St as you head west and turn into Alice St, following it to the riverbank. It was here that former prime minister Bob Hawke launched his Environmental Statement Policy by planting ten red gums as part of his billion-tree program - a major replanting effort intended to replace the millions that had been cut down since European arrival.

At Weir and Lock Number 10 which is 820 km from the mouth of the Murray-Darling and 30.8 m above sea level

Lock Number 10 and Weir
To see Lock Number 10 and Weir (built in 1929) go all the way to the end of Cadell St where there is also a boat ramp. Opposite is the cemetery. The river system is ideal for power boating, fishing, rowing, waterskiing and houseboats (available for hire locally ).

You can take a first-hand look at the features of the river system by taking a two-hour cruise on the MV Loyalty, built at Goolwa in 1914. It is the oldest propellor-driven riverboat operating in Australia today, The Loyalty was used as a milk boat until it became a passenger vehicle in the 1950s, tel: (03) 5027 3330 or 019-331192. It departs at 1.45 every day bar Saturday from the rear of the Wentworth Services Club car park off Darling St.

Dareton
If you cross the bridge over Tuckers Creek and follow the Silver City Highway east for 12 km you will come to the small township of Dareton. It is well worth stopping to have a look at Tulklana Kumbi Aboriginal Galleries at 33 Neilpo St, where there is a guided tour of the premises, tel: (03) 5027 4691.

About 6 km east of Dareton along the Silver City Highway, to your left, is the Stanley Wine Company, open for inspections and wine tastings every day until 4 pm, tel: (03) 5023 4341.

Orange World and Australian Inland Botanical Gardens
Almost directly opposite is Orange World where you can take a tractor train tour through their orange, mandarin, grapefruit, lemon and avocado orchards. It then returns to their packing centre and nursery where there is an informative talk about how to grow citrus at home, how to test fruit in the shops and a look at their own processing procedures. The tour takes about an hour and operates twice daily every day but Saturday. For further information phone (03) 5023 5197.

Orange World is situated on the corner of the highway and River Rd. Turn into the latter and it will lead you to the Australian Inland Botanical Gardens (well signposted), open from 10-4 every day except Saturday. Return to the highway and follow it to the small township of Buronga. From here head east along the Sturt Highway.

Gol Gol
A few kilometres will bring you to Gol Gol. There is a walking track on the right that follows the river to Drings Hill where there is an ancient Aboriginal midden. You can also take a tour of the yabbie farm at Gol Gol Fisheries (Carramar Drive, tel: 03-5024 8613). There is a hatchery, yabbie fishing in season, yabbie races, cooked yabbies, free train rides, refreshments and barbeque facilities. Another 6 km along the highway (towards Euston and Robinvale) is Trentham Estate Winery and Restaurant at Trentham Cliffs, tel: (03) 5024 8888.

Lake Nearie and Mungo National Park
58 km north, off the Silver City Highway, is Lake Nearie where there is a nature reserve with plenty of birdlife and macropods. This road will take you on to Broken Hill.

Wentworth is also a good jumping-off point for Mungo National Park (see entry on Lake Mungo). There are two routes. Head east along the Silver City Highway. Just before you reach the outskirts of Buronga turn left into Arumpo Rd (unsealed) and follow the signposts. Alternatively you can take one of two turnoffs from the Wentworth-Poonacrie road.

Scotia Sanctuary
Scotia Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve situated in the arid outback of far western New South Wales. Amidst the mallee sand dunes are a range of birds, mammals and reptiles. The reserve is ideal for bushwalking, 4WD tours, bird- and animal-watching and photography. You can arrive by car, coach or air and there are guided and self-guided drive/walk tours, nocturnal tours and scientific survey tours with special options for schools, tertiary groups, photographers, natural history groups, birdwatchers and bushwalkers. Accommodation is available at the homestead, the shearers' quarters or you can just camp out. Ring (03) 5027 1200 for further information.

	Tourist Information
	Wentworth Tourist Information Centre 28 Darling St P.O. Box 81 Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3624 Facsimile: (03) 5027 2419
	Motels
	Darling Junction Motor Inn Cnr Silver City Hwy & Armstrong Ave Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3636 Rating: ***
	Sportmanšs Inn Motel 120 Adams St Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3584 Rating: ***
	Two Rivers Motel Silver City Hwy Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3268 Rating: ****
	Wentworth Central Motel Adam St Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3777 Rating: ***
	Wentworth Club Motel Cnr Sandwych & Adams Sts Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3535 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Captain Sturt Hotel/Motel 49 Adam St Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3051
	Crown Hotel Cnr Darling & Sandwych Sts Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3061
	Royal Hotel/Motel 41 Darling St Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3005 Rating: **
	Apartments
	Riverside Holiday Apartments 58 Wentworth St Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (02) 5027 3322
	Red Gum Lagoon Holiday Apartments 210 Adams St Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 2063 Rating: ****
	Cottages & Cabins
	Cod River Cabins Pooncarie Rd Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3071
	Caravan Parks
	Curlwaa Caravan Park Silver City Hwy Curlwaa Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 6210 Rating: **
	Trentham Cliffs Caravan Park Sturt Hwy Trentham Cliffs Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5024 8545
	Willow Bend Caravan Park Darling St Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3213 Rating: **
	Houseboats
	Firefly Houseboats Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3131, mobile 0419 847 210 Facsimile: (03) 5027 3171
	Restaurants
	Royal Motel/Hotel 41 Darling St Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3005
	Two Rivers Motel Silver City Hwy Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3268
	Wentworth Club Restaurant Darling St Wentworth NSW 2648 Telephone: (03) 5027 3302