BINGARA to MANILLA via BARRABA NSW

  Back onto Fossicker's Way and almost due Sth the countryside shines again. lush valleys with rolling hills is the distance with the occasional fairly steep and winding section of road over them. Even in the Hiace its a bit of fun going up and down through the gears to negotiate the sharp curves. Oh how I wish I was on a Bike or in a decent Sports Car. No more automatics for me, this is driving.

 

                      The Road to Barraba                
  60 kms from Bingara across another quaint old Iron Bridge and into Barraba. Here there's a similar Town layout and size to Bingara. However, Barraba dosen't have the same welcoming feel that I have spoken of previously, in fact I am sorry to say Barraba is a bit of a "drive through" Town.
  Its lunchtime so a couple of Pies at the Bakery before going to the Info Centre. I am on a quest to find the best Country Pie and I still haven't found it. These were almost acceptable, I had to mark them down due to undercooked and weak pastry that allowed the very hot contents to drip down my hand, ouch! I hate that happening and spoilt an otherwise reasonably tasty Pie.
  I walked the Main Street taking Pics as I went and collected a few worth showing. There isn't the same "Pride in Heritage" here with only some Buildings in good or reasonable condition. Pity, maybe its a funding issue? The Townsfolk all seemed elderly to me and there were only a few younger ones on the Street. Maybe its motivation?
  Like Bingara the Botanist Allan Cunningham in 1827, with the first (un-named) Squatter taking up land and naming it "Barraba", Aboriginal for "Camping Place by a bank on the River". Economical language is Aboriginal. The property was registered in 1840 and in 1852 a Town was mapped.
  The District has been known as an Agricultural, Pastoral and Gold bearing area since 1866. 1878 brought the first Hotel, The Commercial and in infamous Victoria Hotel in 1890.

                                                                      The Victoria Hotel Barraba
  The History of The Victoria Hotel intrigues. It was originally a single storied structure built in 1890 but has been extended and remodelled many times since.   Almost immediately after it's construction, rather than become a Hotel, The Commercial Bank of Sydney moved in paying the Owner 100 pounds in rent. In 1894 a year after the Bank took over, on the 18the April at Lunchtime, Mr Mckay, the Owner, saw 2 men in the banking Room. A scuffle broke out and Mr McKay was shot dead. The 2 men escaped on horseback. The bandits were eventually caught, tried and hanged in Tamworth Gaol in June 1894. The bank eventually vacated in 1899 when the Hotel Licence was granted to the Victoria Hotel. The second storey was added in 1909-10 and the Hotel has been renovated and changed hands many times since then.
  The Fossicker's Way calls again so off another 60 kms to Manilla further Sth.

Barraba Clock Tower and ANZAC monument c1924



 

                                                                  Churches in Barraba 

      St John's c1905 and St Joseph's Convent c1910

                                                                           The Anglican Church

 

St Lawrence c1876





PS: I forgot to mention for those travelling this way, I called into 2 Camps thet I knew about, on the way here. The Glen Riddle Reserve is off the Fossicker's way, about 8 km on bitumen all the way in. A large and grassy Campsite, next to the Split Rock Dam. It was very open with no trees for shade. Further back about 200 mtrs from the water was an Amenities Block and Picnic Tables. it didn't seem very exciting.
  So on to the next spot at The split Rock Dam a few kms down the road. Another good road in led to an Unpowered area beside the water. There were Tables and Fireplaces but no amenities. another spot way back from the Dam (too far back I thought) was an Amenities Block with Toilets and Shower and  2 Powered Sites. The cost was confusing as there were two signs one saying that it was $10 per night or $18 with Power payable at the Council Chambers(?) and another saying that it was  $10 for Power and  Free without. I gave up and went to Barraba.