|
Choose from millions of Cheap flights deals to Deniliquin . We compare all the Major Airlines for flights in Australia, Tour Operators and Travel Agents.
Australia is the world's largest and most populous continent. It covers 8.6% of the Earth's total surface area (or 29.4% of its land area) and, with almost 4 billion people, it contains more than 60% of the world's current human population. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Deniliquin is a town of 7895 persons on the Edward River, a branch of the Murray River which was created by a fault in the earth's surface. Unusually, within the town, a series of lagoons snake off into parkland and state forest, and a footbridge across a creek opposite the town hall in Cressy St leads to an island wildlife sanctuary.
Deniliquin is situated 734 km south-west of Sydney via the Hume and Riverina Highways and 91 metres above sea-level. Its situation makes it ideal for fishing, waterskiing, canoeing, boating, safe swimming, and relaxing on both sandy McLeans Beach (signposted through town) and Willoughby's Beach within the state forest. There are boat ramps, a golf course, and river cruises to enjoy (to make bookings for the latter phone.
Deniliquin lies at the centre of four irrigation districts which cover 725 000 hectares, the largest area under irrigation in Australia. It produces rice, wool, dairy products, wheat, barley, fat lambs, vegetables and fruit, timber and cattle. Local industry includes rice and timber mills, dairy, cordial and seed-processing factories, an abattoir and a fibrous plaster works. To the north are several famous Merino studs.
The area was inhabited by the Barapa Baraba Aborigines before European settlement. Seeking to extend his pastoral holdings inland Benjamin Boyd (see entry on Eden) established the head station of a run known as 'Deniliquin' 6.5 km upstream of the present township around 1842. The name is said to derive from a local Aboriginal chief known as Denilakoon who was noted for his size, strength and, it is said, his wrestling. A rush for land was started that year by the reports of pastoralist Augustus Morris who traced the Edward to its junction with the Wakool River.
The first inn went up in 1845 or 1847 on the ground now occupied by the North Deniliquin School. In 1847 a punt was put into use by a Dr Coward, the first resident on the south side of the river. He established his base on what is now the Island Sanctuary, once called 'Coward's Island'.
The townsite was surveyed in 1848 and gazetted in 1850, the year a two-roomed slab hut was built for Henry Wyse, who used it as a store and post office. The site became an important river crossing for stock as it was situated at the convergence of three major stock routes from Queensland and NSW to Victoria.
The first gaol was built in 1856 (population 155) after concerns were raised about Wyse's tendency to chain law-breakers to a log in his cow yard. A courthouse was built on the site of the present ANZ Bank but was replaced in 1861. The first hospital was built in 1856 but, as it was not open to working people, another opened in 1858. The two amalgamated in 1861 and the original building, with its stained-glass window depicting the goddess Hygeia, is still part of the current complex.
The first bridge went up in 1861 joining the two parts of the township, though the south side developed at the expense of the north. It was replaced by a toll bridge and then by another span in 1896. Deniliquin was declared a municipality in 1868. At the time it had 11 hotels and about a thousand people. Early industry included a brewery (1866) and a flour mill (1872). In 1876 a private railway arrived from Echuca and a town hall was built.
With the growing population new school buildings were erected in 1879 and the old 1862 schoolhouse was made into a teacher's residence. It was extended to its current form in 1899 and 1905 and it now houses the Peppin Heritage Centre, a tribute to the Peppin family.
George Hall Peppin and his two sons were experienced English sheep breeders who settled at nearby Wanganella station in 1858. Dissatisfied with the yield and quality of wool from the merino, they channelled their efforts into developing a new breed that was better adapted to Australian conditions, larger of frame and able to yield a greatly improved quality and quantity of wool. Their successes constitute the foundation of Australia's reputation as a quality wool exporter. Peppin sheep now predominate among the flocks of South Africa, New Zealand and South America and 60-85 % of Australian merinos have Wanganella blood.
Peppin's 'Morago' homestead, 40 km north-west, was built in 1861. The Falkiner family bought up the Peppin lands and stock between 1878 and 1958 and F.S. Falkiner & Sons is now owned by News Corporation. It covers 360 000 acres, contains 170 000 sheep and is still a major ram stud. One of the old stations, 'Boonoke', lies on the road to Conargo. The 'Wanganella' and 'Peppinella' stations are situated on the road north to Hay (the Cobb Highway). Near the gate of the 'Wanganella' station is a bronze effigy of a merino ram intended as a memorial to the Peppin family.
The Deniliquin Easter Festival a street parade, tennis championships, a Rotary Art Exhibition, a rodeo and both golf and bowls championships. A major ball is held at Conargo on New Year's Eve.
|
|
 |
