Nyngan is another of the nondescript rural town. Totally flooded by the Bogan River in 1990.
The helicopter that was used to rescue the towns population, sits as the centre piece in front of the Nyngan's museum.
From Nyngan we turn west. Through Cobar; we will stop here on our way back. Onto Wilcannia.
We had expected this drive to be a boring trip through an unending and unchanging landscape of red soil and low scrubby trees. We could not have been further from the truth. The landscape is constantly changing. About every 50km or so the landscape changes from forest country
to open plains and back.
The "The Indefatigable" is being very naughty. The only saving grace is that the speed limit out here is 110km/hr, and the engine runs best with your foot to the floor. Backing off the accelerator brings much spluttering and surging. We bought a non-genuine fuel filter in Cobar; fingers crossed that it will even fit.
About 50km east of Wilcannia we stop at roadside rest area for lunch. Flush the fuel filter; again. Of course the new filter does not fit.
We arrive into Wilcannia and fuel up. We follow the signs to the BP which is off the main street and pay $1.47/L for unleaded. Jenelle thought this was expensive until she saw the Ampol in the main street was selling unleaded for $1.60/L.
Wilcannia is on the Darling River. What a magnificant sight after so many miles of dry plains.
As Australia's first inland port Wilcannia in it's heyday was very important and prosperous. With the grand buildings to match. The post office and customs house are built from the local sandstone.
Many former colonial era pubs remain....
Magnificent churches also built out of the local sandstone...
and then there is the dilapidation resulting from the alcoholism and hopelessness that modern Wilcannia is noted for.
bugs splattered on the windscreen
and bends in the road.
