20240904 NSW Collarenebri

20240904 Driving along the B76-Gwydir Hwy and once again there’s not a house in site as we pass the occasional tractor and off cause, roadworks, but thats all over Australia. Just 40 kms south of the Queensland border is the Aboriginal town of Collarenebri, meaning "place of many flowers”, with a population of only 890 people. As we drive into the town it looks quite bare, most shops are closed, there are many abandoned homes and many of the town folk have moved on. The town first came to life in 1867 and by 1890 become a growing town with a hospital, police station, school and a number of businesses. Originally spelt "Collarindabri", Collarenebri is located near a shallow rocky ford on the Barwon River, which provided a hard bottomed shallow river crossing for stock and pioneering travellers.

Here we are in the tiny town of Collarenebri and are about to go for a ride and check out what it has to offer.

Our camp for the next few days on the lovely Barwon River which was once known as a great fishing place but these days carp monopolies these waters. but if your a keen fisherman you can still catch the occasional yellow belly.

It’s nice spot to sit back and enjoy the River on a beautiful winters day or read a book while listening to the fish jump and splash around.

The Bridge over the Barwon River

This water tank stands over the town to advertise the local business.

The Main Street in Collarenebri where these days many tourists visit for the free camp but mainly due to the new Artesian Bath.

The new Police Station design that would be utilised throughout regional NSW, the station follow consistent design templates and aesthetics in order to create a uniform architectural branding for the state’s police force. Silvertop ash timber panelling and battens clad the façade of the stations, combining with an understated recessed entry point for a sophisticated and minimal appearance.

After being destroyed by fire in 1936 the Tattersalls Hotel Collarenebri was rebuilt at its current location in 1938.

The inside of the pub that is under new management by a returned resident.

The entertainment area out the back, very clean and tidy.

Well there’s a car out the front so I’m pretty sure someone actually lives here.

Water Tanks in Collarenebri

Red tailed Black Cockatoo 

Des and I rode around the back streets and found hundreds of these fellows frolicking in the trees, as beautiful as they are I would not won’t these noisy buggers hanging around my back door.

20240905 A $920,000 Federal Government grant for the construction of thermal baths and associated amenities to hopefully help improve tourism as well as increase community amenity, these baths are popping up in many towns, so it’s not a government grant but a tax payer’s grant. Water will be pumped directly from the Artesian Basement, the temperature and minerals have been found to work together, giving you that spaced out feeling and helping your muscles and joints relax and unwind.

After my daily ride I would head to the baths to soak these old bones and hopefully immerse 10 years younger, well they do say by bathing in these Artesian water you may experience benefits like, Rejuvenation, rehydration of your skin and assists with detoxifying the lymphatic system, this is called balneotherapy.

Des chewing Peter’s ear off while Suze his non barking dog soaks up the sun. Each night we sat around the fire at our neighbours Peter and his dog Susz’s van having a few ales while chatting about anything and everything and laughing the night away. Each day Peter put in some yabbies pot but only caught shrimp which he used for fishing, he caught lots of carp and a couple other yellow belly, at least it kept him entertained throughout the day.

I was in the van when Des yells out, Lee come and check this old car out, the guy stopped and said he was looking for an awning to put his swag under as we all laughed. Wow what a little ripper, a 1928 A Model Ford and still in original condition. After a long chat we watched as he tore up the hill and out of sight.

Ford duck radiator cap and also still in great condition.

Before leaving Collarenebri we stopped for breakfast in the Track Cafe, definitely worth a visit and the burgers were delicious and you have no complaints from me about the breakfast.

Who can remember their Mum using one of these, Vintage Antique Comfort Iron Self Heating Steampunk Gas Fuel Heated Sad Iron, probably an expensive iron in its day.

I am always surprised just how much some of these town have to offer although my first impression as you enter it like a ghost town, but take a bike ride in the back streets and you can be amazed at what you find, just look out for the many dogs that roam free.

Definitely a Town Worth Supporting