Uralla & Walcha
I intended to discover Walcha and Uralla on my trip back from Sydney when I bought the car back in September ’09 – I was looking forward to it – but I got lost, broke the car, got stranded for 6 days……and didn’t get there. On the road again – another adventure – I am excited!
After a late start (how can you race away from Poppy’s on a cold morning), my first stop is virtually just down the road – Dangars Gorge and waterfall – though no water at the moment! The gorge is huge, and I realised that it was just one of many in the area and the vast farmlands roll right up to the edge, the land just falls away hundreds of metres…. Photos just do not show the size and depth or the gorges.
Along the backroad from Armidale to Uralla are some beautiful spots – FIrst a huge and very flash sheep sheering shed – I think that is what it is….an old wagon in a paddock – looks like it was planted there for a movie or something….a beautiful timber bridge and huge golden leaved trees lining the narrow country road…..and then just over the bridge a tiny church – still in use…but it looks like a movie set….too pretty! There was not another car in site……great! peaceful! Salsa Loved frolicking through the autumn leaves!
Uralla is one of the more unique historical towns I have visited. Not much happening….(where are all the people??). I spent over $700 on 4 beautiful wool jumpers in one shop and the lady behind the counter nearly fell over – people must usually just buy one?! Quality classics will last a lifetime!
Anyway, the museum was very interesting – a gold mining area – the Chinese walked to Uralla from Ballarrat!!!!! Lots of beautiful rustic brick and stone buildings everywhere…. I decided to have dinner at the old restaurant on the way home as this trip is a loop…
Walcha is also a great old town – it feels nice, more personable – less touristy than Uralla- lots of sculpture around town – shop awning posts carved into works of art everywhere. I had run out of time – AGAIN! so did not get to the Apsley waterfall and national park down the road, but I did drive out a km or so and found ‘Langdon House’ which was exciting for me as I loved this building when I was in High school – I used it as a printmaking project in art class. It is a private residence but can be viewed from the street – and it is very beautiful.
50 km down the road to Bendemeer and the sun is close to setting…… I arrived just on dark and cannot remember why I wanted to see it – must have got it mixed up with some other town….it is a blip just off the highway…
Back up Thunderbolts way to return to Armidale, Poppy has put the light and heater on for me…….my cosy cottage 🙂