Wentworth, New South Wales

Wentworth New South Wales
Darling Street, Wentworth
Population:	1653 (2006)[1]
Postcode:	2648
Elevation:	37.0 m (121 ft)
Location:	1034 km (642 mi) from Sydney 402 km (250 mi) from Adelaide 570 km (354 mi) from Melbourne 266 km (165 mi) from Broken Hill 34 km (21 mi) from Mildura
LGA:	Wentworth Shire
State District:	Murray-Darling
Federal Division:	Farrer
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Rainfall 24.3 °C 76 °F 10.9 °C 52 °F 286.1 mm 11.3 in

Wentworth is a small border town in the far south west of the state of New South Wales, Australia. It lies at the confluence of Australia's two most important rivers, the Darling and the Murray, the latter forming the border with the state of Victoria to the south. The border with the state of South Australia lies approximately 100 km to the west. The town of Wentworth is in the Local Government Area of the same name.

History

Named after the famous explorer and politician William Charles Wentworth, the town is 34 km to the west (via the Calder Highway) of the Victorian regional city of Mildura. The famous mining city of Broken Hill is 266 km to the north along the Silver City Highway. During the late 1800s Wentworth was an important river port; however, like many such towns, its significance faded with the development of the railways (railroads). The town has been flooded many times by the two rivers. The most significant was in 1956, when both rivers flooded simultaneously. Local farmers, supplemented by the army and navy, worked for months to build levee banks to hold the water out of the town.^[2]

Visitor attractions

Wentworth is now an important tourist outback destination and provides a welcome break for those travelling to or from Broken Hill. In addition to its authentic outback charm, the town offers some interesting attractions:

• P.S.Ruby - a restored 1907 side-wheel paddlesteamer
• The annual Great Wentworth Tractor Rally
• The Wentworth Gaol

The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally is a commemoration of the grey Fergie tractors that were used to maintain the levee banks and save the town from the 1956 Murray River flood.^[2] Wentworth was a popular destination for 'pokie tour' bus rides from Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, prior to the legalisation of poker (gambling) machines in that state .

Gallery

Some images of Wentworth NSW

Conluence of the Darling with the Murray River

Location of Wentworth

Roadside sculpture, Wentworth, NSW, Australia

Semi-arid countryside; roadside rest stop 20km north of Wentworth

References

External links

• Wentworth Shire Council
• The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally
• Paddlesteamer Ruby

Coordinates: 34°05′S, 141°54′E