I traveled over to Armidale 3 times this year for work – July, August & September. Each time it was a quick weekend trip, but I tried to spend a little time looking around. Being part of the cooler months, I was surprised about the lack of water / how dry it was. I wasn’t surprised about the cold though!
Walcha
Walcha tends to get bypassed a lot, but it is a great gateway to some really beaut places. If (like me) you love trout fishing, then there’s over 1,500km’s in the area where you can catch Rainbow and Brown trout. The district is mainly a primary producing area, but there is substantial National Parks and Forestry dotted throughout. It is known as one of the best fine wool growing areas in the world – and that tag doesn’t come easy. Sheep populations are approximately 800,000 – I get sore just thinking about shearing time……
And the Golden Gate Rodeo in January is well worth a visit. This has now been running for over 50 years. Whilst it may not be one of the big fancy ones, it is still a great day (and night) out. Unfortunately I will be in Tassie this year (9th).
Paddock Art
Paddock Art
Dangars Falls
Dangars Falls
Dangars Falls located 16km south south-east of Armidale (not to be confused with Dangar Falls, Bielsdown River, Dorrigo) was previously named Gotswick Falls – also known as Dangarsleigh Falls. Now tell me that isn’t confusing!!! Anyway this is part of the Oxley Wild Rivers N.P at the head of the Dangars Gorge. The Salisbury Waters drop 120 metres into the gorge below.
On the drive in you may notice a war memorial at the junction of Dangarsleigh Road. This was erected by the Perrot family in memory of their oldest son who was killed at Passchendale Ridge in the First World War. I thought I had taken a photo of it, but do you think I could find it……..
Armidale
Armidale
Armidale
Armidale – cold, cold and cold. I loved it!!! 🙂
Actually I got a bit of a shock. It’s been a little while since I was last there and it seems to be growing quite a lot. At 980 metres elevation it is easy to understand how it can get quite cold during winter. Quite often this town is colder than places like Canberra and Hobart, and it can certainly see snow at times (including this year). I found it very similar to Launceston in Tasmania, both in temperate but also the way that the wood heater smoke sits static in the town until mid-morning. I wonder if Armidale has the same issues with asthma that Launceston can experience?
Uralla
Uralla was declared a town in 1855 due to a gold rush in the Rocky River area. Like a lot of towns throughout this period of time in Australia, it quickly boasted 3 hotels, a post office, flour mill and a school. The bushranger Frederick Ward (Captain Thunderbolt) is buried in the old Uralla Cemetery, and obviously influences the many references to Thunderbolt throughout the town and district. For example the pub, motel, rock and road – which all bear his name. Like most ‘infamous’ people he was shot and killed.