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: