20240518 Qld, Wallangarra, NSW, Jenning’s

20240418 So here we are once again back in the two towns on the border of Queensland and NSW, Wallangarra and Jennings where the only Post Office is situated in Wallangarra, and has a Queensland Postcode. Jennings, with no Post Office, has no Postcode of its own, and for years had to use the Postcode of Tenterfield, 20 km away. Despite many attempts by Jennings residents to be allocated their own Postcode, Jennings is now listed under 4383, which is the postcode for Wallangarra, making it the only town in NSW with a QLD Postcode.

We camped up in the same spot next to the BBQ and settled in for a few days, there were a few campers scattered about the grounds sitting around their fires while relaxing and enjoying a wine or beer, as we do.

Check out the impressive state border welcome sign that marks the gateway to Queensland at the small town of Wallangarra. The sign was inspired by the rallying cry of “Queenslander, Queenslander”, made famous by Marooons rugby league legend Billy Moore, himself a Wallangarra native, who chanted it while coming down the tunnel for a State of Origin match in 1995.

Driving around the back streets we found this old house, a little worse for ware but I’m thinking it would have been spiffy in her day.

Six local artists, with mural experience were selected to create public art on the local “dunnies”, the camaraderie grew between the groups through sharing their experience and knowledge as they went.

Chris turned up and drove us back to her house for a few drinks and to meet her sister Robin, I remember you said Des as they started chatting about the old days. We had a lovely afternoon but Chris was heading to the RSL which was right next door so we headed home to cook dinner on the BBQ.

Our Nights Dilemma 

It was around 9:30pm, we were fast asleep when there was a loud bang on our door, who is it said Des and there was someone yelling from outside as Des struggled to open the door. A guy walking his dog with his daughter calming he worked for the council and that we can’t camp here, what about those campers behind us said Des, I will be seeing them to as that’s the schools land, yet there’s no signs saying no camping, are you getting paid for this said Des and how do I know who you are, no I’m not getting paid but I have keys, well I have a set of keys to so that doesn’t prove anything said Des while standing outside in his singlet freezing. The guy walked off laughing and didn’t go anywhere near the other campers, what a dick.

20240419 Des cooked breakfast then after lunch Chris and Robin picked us up for a tour of the town, we head to a private property that backs onto Girraween National Park, meaning ‘place of flowers’, a park of massive granite outcrops and large balanced boulders not to mention a Spectacular wildflower display of colours among the granite in spring.

This sign’s some farmers put up when they’re sick of people leaving their crap behind.😅

So here we are at the Water Supply for the town so the girls and I pose for a quick photo, a nice swimming hole if you’re keen.

If you look closely the girls recon you can see three elephant bums, they could be right.

Mmm, what is our Chris up too 🤔, she’s got a grin on her dial so she’s not in pain.😅

They were used once and probably can still be used if you’re really desperate.

Gee, I’m thinking I could make some sore of an antibiotic or a tincture with these mashies.

We noticed this sign when leaving this property and I couldn’t help myself, I apologise for the language but there’s a farmer that’s pretty pissed off with some people.

After-woods we drove around the back streets and checked out the once thriving Abattoir, Thompas Foods opened Australia's largest mutton works which produced Halal in which most of it was exported to Arab countries. The abattoir shut down in July 2016 blaming low stock numbers and poor global trading conditions. The plant was located on the border to take advantage of rail lines from both Queensland and NSW, unfortunately it now stands as an empty reminder of what was once a thriving industry. 

The first abattoir started in 1938, it operated a large beef abattoir until 1982, and employed over 400 workers at the plant. 

The town even has a general army store on the Queensland side of the border, and an ammunition dump on the New South Wales side. The late Muriel Daphne Verdun Nicolson lived at 30 Margetts St from before WWII until her death in 2001. During WWII she reported that the flow of trucks and material went on all day and night.

1 AAD Ammunition Storehouse under construction in 1942

While having a few drinks at Chris’s house we noticed some dark clouds coming over and when we walked outside this was the results, it’s amazing when you move your arse what the world has to offer, just beautiful.

There’s surely a pot of gold at the end of this amazing Rainbow.

Then after the storm the sky put on a display of amazing colours.

Thanks Chris for showing us a different side of Wallangarra and Jennings.

Until We Meet Again