Bridge across the Lachlan River near Hillston

 

Hillston (and Willandra National Park)
Small service town in the far west of New South Wales
Despite being the largest town in Carrathool shire Hillston is basically a small country town (population 1030) which serves the surrounding wheat and wool district. 678 km west of Sydney via the Great and Mid Western Highways and 123 metres above sea-level Hillston is situated near the Lachlan River, on the edge of the outback with clay pans and saltbush plains to the north and west.

Hillston is unexpectedly green due to its situation on top one of the NSW's highest-producing and best quality artesian basins which irrigate a massive orange orchard, covering 350 ha. Cotton production, fruit and vegetable cultivation and vineyards are also sustained.

Once occupied by the Wiradjuri Aborigines the first European presence of any permanence arrived in the form of William Hovell's 'Bellingerambil' run, licensed in 1848. The town was established in 1863 when William Hill, a stockman from the Roto station, opened an inn at the location he called The Redbank, after the Aboriginal place-name 'Melnunni', said to mean 'red soil'. It was renamed Hillston when the first post office opened in 1869 to avoid confusion with another Redbank. The new name was presumably in honour of the hotel proprietor, who had died in 1867.

Two townships developed, one being a private subdivision of land owned by John McGee. Plots sold well and wheat-growing began but it was the gold at Lake Cargelligo and copper discoveries to the north which intensified interest in the area. Hillston was declared a municipality in 1888. When the railway arrived in 1923 many new settlers arrived, largely wheat-growers from Victoria.

 

Palm trees in Hillston's main street

 

The main street of Hillston is attractive with distinctive palm trees. The community hall is also impressive. A number of the streets are named after English poets - Milton, Keats, Byron, Shelley, Herrick etc.

Hillston has a golf course and holds an agricultural show each September.

 

Things to see:  

Hillston Museum
There is a museum run by the local historical society on Keats St, which runs off the roundabout entering the town from the north. Housing a wide range of antiquated agricultural equipment it is open by appointment (02 6967 2283 or 02 6967 2175).

 

Hillston Lake
An artificial lake built within the town supports all manner of water activities, particularly waterskiing. There are barbeque facilities and waterbirds. A swinging bridge at Hughie Cameron Park in High St priovides access to the reserve and nature walk on the southern side of the Lachlan River. Fishing and camping can be pursued along the river and the Carrathool Shire office in Goolgowi puts out a pamphlet outlining the best locations. Also within the area are Wallanthery Weir (north-east), Ballyrogan Weir (north-east) and Lake Brewster (east), constructed to control the waters of the Lachlan. At the lake is a nature reserve supporting an array of bird and animal life.

 

Willandra National Park
64 km north-west is Willandra National Park. The park covers one-eighth of the old Willandra station, which once spanned almost the entire distance between Hillston and Mossgiel. It was established in the mid-nineteenth century and became a famous merino stud. The restored homestead, still with thatched ramshed, stables, shearing complex and men's quarters, is an essential part of the park. It now houses a display concerning the pastoral and natural history of the district.

Willandra Park covers nearly 20 000 ha and lies at the northern edge of the Riverina plain. The land is very flat, except for the occasional sand ridge. Willandra Creek winds through the park and, together with the park's wetlands, supports a waterbird population. Kangaroos, emus, small reptiles and other ground-nesting birds can be found on the open plains. There are wildflowers in spring and a weir near the homestead. Canoeing, fishing, photography and walking can all be profitably pursued. There is a vehicle track and a brochure outlining a designated walk through the natural scenery which leads past relics of European and Aboriginal settlement. This provides a good opportunity to observe the fauna which is most active in the early morning and the evening. There are also some relics near Halls Lake, a dry depression in the plain.

 

 

 

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Hillston