For those of you who may not have seen the Australian Movie, Parkes is home to a historic radio telescope that was involved with the Apollo Space Programme, relaying information to Houston Control Centre. The facility is operated by the CSIRO, which has built a new Discovery Centre (& Cafe) next to the facility. Lots of great information, displays and interesting (not to mention some very expensive) souvenirs for sale. Certainly worth a visit.
The journey resumed via Forbes to West Wyalong, where I spent a (cool) night at a small local caravan park, just off the main street. The town once had many pubs, of which only one or two have survived the changes and population shrinkage of our rural towns.
Next night was spent still further to the West & South at Hay on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. I remember learning about the river in Social Studies at Primary School, & now I have actually seen a small part of it. Surrounded at Hay by very flat countryside with quite a bit of cotton grown around the area.
At Hay I turned West along the Sturt Highway to the Murray River, the border with Victoria and Mildura on the Southern Banks of the River. I stayed for a number of nights at the Buronga Riverside Caravan or Tourist Park on the NSW side, but immediately opposite Mildura. A great park with generously large sites, including a number with absolute river frontage and great views. Around the area were a whole series of mooring sites for large houseboats, which are available for hire. Most seemed to be moored or having annual maintenance and I saw very few actually in use. I took that as low season in early Winter, but by the looks of the many, it would be busy in Spring and Summer.
Enjoyed my stay in Mildura with only one disappointment. I had hoped to try Stefanos Restaurant, which is located in part of the Grand Hotel, but it was closed for some renovations during the time I was in the area. However, the owner, Stefano di Piero also owns a Cafe and the Mildura Brewery. I managed over several days to sample breakfast, a lunch and dinner between these establishments as well as a couple of the boutique brewed beers. Good food and beer, but not wonderful for PJ's ongoing diet efforts.
I took a 2 hour morning cruise on the paddle "steamer" Rothbury. Originally it was a wood burner and steam powered but at some stage in it's long history it was converted to diesel which was cheaper to run. Excellent relaxing cruise with an interesting commentary on the area, attractions and some of the history. Usually the "real" paddle steamer Melbourne is used for some of the voyages but it was up on the slipway having an annual inspection plus some maintenance work.
I remember things from primary school too, like the Great Barrier Reef being threatened by the crown of thorns starfish. And, on my very 1st day, the lifecycle of the frog, in glorious technicolor chalk diagrams on the blackboard. I couldn't wait to get back. Bless those committed teachers who worked so hard to make it all so interesting.
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