Grenfell

17th November 2023

Distance: 257 Km

Fuel: 44 L

Spent the early morning wandering about Main Street of West Wyalong before the shops opened, it was cool, quiet and empty.

On the Road

About mid morning decided to visit Grenfell a town I have visited before and enjoyed.

For some reason the main road out of town was closed and I had to make a detour, The sat nav liked the idea and decided it was in fact quicker than staying on the main road. The problem with this was that the device didn’t know about the flooding that had occurred over the previous year and which had washed away or damaged sections of the road, but it is what it is.

First stop was the town of Caragabel where someone had decided it would be a great idea to paint a local shed with pictures of birds.

After stopping and taking a couple of snaps it was on to Grenfell. First to the silo in the town.

I must say I like Silo art it is big and colourful and repurposes these unused silos as a tourist attraction (grain is stored in a completely different manner these days on massive concrete pads) – the harvest was in full swing as I drove around.

Nearby was the old Grenfell Railway Station precinct, the trains stopped running a long time ago so the area is a free camp site and the buildings used by social groups including a Men’s Shed.

It was only a short drive to Main Street, I love these streets in country Australia built wide so a bullock team has space to turn around but these days leaving plenty of room for angle parking close to the shops (and on occasion in the middle of the street as well).

Grenfell is also the town where author Henry Lawson was born, his bust and statue are in the main street.

His actual birthplace is next to a sports oval on the edge of town and the location marked by an obelisk.

Close by is a tree originally planted by his daughter in 1924, now a massive gum tree.

It was nearly lunch time but there was just time to visit the Chrysler Museum. Mostly Valiants of course but one magnificent Charger.

Had lunch in the local Happy Inn Chinese Restaurant, a very large portion of Honey Chilli Chicken with fried rice which I quite enjoyed.

A Bit of a Hike

After lunch decided to investigate a sign I had seen on the way to Grenfell – Ben Hall’s Cave – Ben Hall was a famous Bushranger in the 1850s during the goldrush, he hid in the Weddin Mountains and carried out raids from here, this cave is one of his shelters and lookout.

I made a couple of mistakes not least of which was not taking into account my age, and because it was only 1.5km, described as “medium” I left my water bottle in the car.

The walk started off easily but steadily got steeper, the rangers had constructed steps but they are the worse thing for me I would have coped with a slope better.

Anyway I made it but to be honest it was a bit of a disappointment as the cave was barred off because of the danger of collapse, it was also very shallow, however the view was really nice. Going back I slipped and fell but apart from grazing my arm and hurting some fingers was able to get back to the car after several rests on the way.

Driving home from the Weddin Mountains National Park I think I took a wrong turning as it was dirt road a lot of the way but in reasonable condition so I made good time.

Once I got back to the caravan park that was the day done for me, I was pretty tired.

Packed up the gazebo once the sun was low on the horizon to prepare for leaving tomorrow.

Going Home

18th November 2023

Distance: 466 Km

Fuel: 47 L

There was no rush to leave but I was ready to leave just before 9am. The journey home was uneventful, being a Saturday meant there was little traffic even on the Hume Hwy. I stopped just once for fuel and to stretch my legs.

Statistics

Total Distance: 1358 Km
Total Fuel: 140 L
Fuel Cost: $294
Average fuel price: $2.10/L
Accommodation: $94.50

It was an enjoyable few days away, the weather was perfect, warm but not too hot probably mid to high 20s each day.

Exploring West Wyalong

16th November 2023

Distance: 221 Km

Wyalong and West Wyalong

Drove to The Wetlands first, I think it was part of flood mitigation but the shire council has made the most of it, providing a boardwalk and signage. There were a lot of waterbirds but as I approached they always moved a lot further away.

Almost opposite the Wetlands was Cooinda Reserve, it was a free caravan/camp site but it also contained a few interesting exhibits.

Weethalle

Time for a drive west to Weethalle to see a silo which is part of the NSW Silo Art trail.

Weethalle itself looks like it has fallen on hard times apart from the pub and the Road Kill Grillz the town looked the worse for wear.

The pub looked OK but the railway station which had been converted into a Cafe at one time looked overgrown and the sewsagent/corner store had obviously not traded for a very long time as the roof had collapsed. Sadly something happening to so many small towns.

Back to West Wyalong

Returned to West Wyalong and saw the massive mural on the side of the White Tank Hotel.

While I was at this end of town took the chance to see the old Douglas DC3 in the park as well as the Bland is not Boring or Dull photo op sign (Bland is the name of the shire council). I am not sure if the shire is twinned with the towns in Scotland and the USA but it was a nice play on words.

Nearby was a tree trunk carved into the shape of two birds. Apparently this art work was created with a chainsaw

Opposite the park was a statue and memorial to a local hero, Sergeant Reginald Rattey VC

Ungarie

After lunch I drove out to a little town north of West Wyalong called Ungarie. I had stopped here before on my way to Lake Cargelligo after seeing the somewhat incongruous Big Football on the main street.

While still not entirely sure why the town has an AFL Football in a state that plays Rugby League the town also boasts some other treasures.

The town’s Memorial Park is also well decorated as a tribute to the Fallen.

Like other small towns it also shows some signs of decay.

Russell Drysdale

Later, back in West Wyalong, I came across a bronze statue on the very spot where Russell Drysdale painted his view of the town.

From this corner he painted this:

A Few Days Away

15th November 2023

Distance: 471 Km

Fuel: 49 L

For reasons I can’t fully explain I decided to spend a few days in West Wyalong. There is a Wyalong but West Wyalong has dwarfed it.

Only made one stop on the way – in Harden (sort of half way).

Actually had a bit of a scare when I got out of the car at Harden, my back was very painful however when I arrived at the Caravan Park mid afternoon it seemed to have settled down but as a precaution, after setting up, I went nowhere.