The quirky outback delights of the Kidman Way

THERE ARE POSSIBLY NO two terms that are more emblematic of the Australian outback than heading out the ‘back o’ Bourke’ or going past the Black Stump. Both of these are firmly anchored in the red soils of outback New South Wales, and can be experienced with relative ease when navigating the 644-kilometre Kidman Way, stretching from Jerilderie to Bourke. MURRUMBIDGEE

Jerilderie holds the distinction of being the only town in New South Wales raided by Ned Kelly in 1879. You can walk in Kelly’s shoes by taking the self-guided Ned Kelly Raid Trail around the town, beginning at the Post and Telegraph Office and taking in 16 sites around town. murrumbidgee.nsw.gov.au

CARRATHOOL

Part outdoor gallery, part junkyard, Wally’s Junk

Art Gallery at Rankins Springs, 75 kilometres from Griffith, is very aptly named. Everything from animals and airplanes to life-sized people, are created by Wally (AKA local artist Raymond Lamont) using all manner of vintage bits and pieces, everything from old farm machinery to discarded gas cylinders.

carrathool.nsw.gov.au

QUIRKY FACT – THE BLACK STUMP HOTEL IN MERRIWAGGA HAS THE TALLEST BAR IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE, BUILT SO THAT LOCAL STOCKMEN COULD RIDE THEIR HORSES UP TO THE BAR AND ORDER A DRINK WITHOUT DISMOUNTING.

GRIFFITH

With a population over 26,000 and more than 60 nationalities, Griffith’s cultural tapestry includes Italian, Indian, Afghani and Pacific communities. Your tastebuds can travel the world all whilst in the main street of Griffith. You can’t leave without enjoying a ‘rocket toppa’, a bowl of gnocchi and a cannoli. Leaving hungry is never an option. visitgriffith.com.au

COBAR

Held in Cobar every April, the Grey Mardi Gras celebrates everything 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, with live music, fashion, food and entertainment. cobar.nsw.gov.au

QUIRKY FACT – THERE ARE 99 COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD THAT ARE SMALLER THAN COBAR LOCAL SHIRE (TOTAL LAND SIZE 44,070 KILOMETRES SQUARE) INCLUDING SWITZERLAND, DENMARK AND LEBANON.

BOURKE

On October 6, 1868 the notorious bushranger Captain Starlight (real name Frank Pearson) was involved in a gun fight at the Shearer’s Inn during which he shot Constable John McCabe. The officer died almost a month later from his injuries, and Pearson was found hiding in a cave in December. The details of this story (and many more) are recounted at the interactive Back O’ Bourke Exhibition Centre.

visitbourke. com.au/back-o-bourke-exhibitioncentre

QUIRKY FACT – IT WAS THE SCOTTISH/AUSTRALIAN POET WILL OGILVIE,A CONTEMPORARY OF BANJO PATERSON AND HENRY LAWSON,WHO COINED THE NOW ICONIC TERM ‘BACK O’ BOURKE’ IN HIS POEM,ATTHE BACK O’ BOURKE.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Have a wild encounter at Altina Wildlife Park , Darlington Point; Admire the citrus sculptures in Griffith during Spring Fest; The Jandra paddle boat on the Darling River, Bourke; The Great Cobar Copper Mine; The Black Stump Hotel in Merriwagga. QUIRKY FACT – COLEAMBALLY IS THE YOUNGEST TOWN IN NEW SOUTH WALES, HAVING BEEN FOUNDED IN JUNE 1968, AND GETTING ITS VERY OWN POST OFFICE ON APRIL 1, 1970 QUIRKY FACT – GRIFFITH’S CITY PARK IS HOME TO THE TALLEST CLIMBING FRAME IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (AS WELL AS A DOUBLE FLYING FOX AND WATER SPLASH PARK).