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DESTINATION: Gilgandra

This town is the centre of one of the best wheat-growing and wool-producing areas in New South Wales. Also produced are other cereal, oil seed and legume crops, lambs and cattle. Aquaculture is in the early stages of expansion. Located by the Castlereagh River, Gilgandra is 435km NW of Sydney.

Main Attractions

Before 1966, when the town water supply was connected, Gilgandra was famous for its many windmills, used for pumping water to residents' homes. Most were removed when town water was connected, but as a reminder, some of the old windmills now form an Avenue of Windmills from Coo-ee Park along to the riverbank picnic area. The Gilgandra Visitors Centre houses the local Historical Society Museum, which has a special collection dedicated to the Coo-ee March (1915) from Gilgandra to Sydney. The aim was to recruit men along the route willing to fight in WW1. Orana Cactus World has a large collection of cacti, which has taken local grower Lester Meyers more than 40 years to accumulate. It is open weekends or by appointment. The privately operated Gilgandra Observatory is a big attraction. Visitors are able to safely view sunspots and the stars through the 31cm-diameter telescope.

Nearby attractions

Wildflowers and shrubs, including rare and ancient plants, grow in Gilgandra Native Flora Reserve. Located 14.5km NE, the reserve is off the Newell Hwy. The reserve is most spectacular during the spring-flowering period (August-Oct). Facilities include shelter, water, BBQs and toilets. Nearby, Warrumbungle NP, with its volcanic pipes, is an ideal place for bushwalkers, birdwatchers and nature lovers.

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Region: Explorer Country

Post Office in historic Hill End, Explorer Country

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From the gold rush towns of Sofala and Hill End to remote sheep stations, Central NSW Explorer Country provides the visitor with an unforgettable bush experience - where history comes alive before your very eyes. Central NSW offers a diverse range of discovery-type experiences, a highlight of which is the famous Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. There are 14 National Parks and nature reserves to discover - including Wollemi National Park in the south to the Warrumbungles in the north - and many opportunities to explore underground at Abercrombie Caves and the Wellington Caves and Phosphate Mine. more

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Coo-ee March, Memorial Park, Newell Hwy, Ph: (02) 6847 2045

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