Junee and Temora NSW

We began the day with a stroll through the Wagga Wagga Botanical gardens. The Chinese pavilion was of specific interest. 

We then took the Olympic Highway to Junee, set in the Riverina area, the town’s birth in 1863, coincided with the construction of the railway line. Our first stop was the Roundhouse, built in 1942-47, it is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the few in the world that is still being used. Although the sign said closed, they said they never turn anyone away if you show up. 

Our guide, Simon, told us that his grandfather laid the bricks to build this only example of a brick full circle roundhouse in NSW. He shared his personal stories of growing up helping his dad on the railway and took us through the various steam and diesel locomotives along with passenger carriages on display. 

The section of the roundhouse that is still being used…

Marks’s cheeky smile…

The second class express lavatory carriage.

Also they had the only complete NSW railway accident train which included a steam crane and a converted First Class sleeper carriage.

The miniature railway was fun to look at too. 

The equivalent to the Flying Scotsman

An amazing seat made in 1874..

A couple of hours later we made our way into town. The train station is well maintained and in full use. 

A beautiful country pub..

The Licorice and Chocolate Factory came highly recommended, so we wandered over and didn’t leave empty handed. Apparently licorice can boost the immune system, aid digestion among other claims… so it must be good for us! 

Mark reminisced about his old Zephyr, his was in better condition back in the day.

We then travelled the Goldfields Way to Temora, a gold fields town, producing half of the states gold in 1881 and the famous 7.3kg Mother Shipton Nugget was found here. We parked in the free RV spot next to the old railway station which is now a museum. 

On the platform is a statue of Boofhead, the towns famous railway dog, who loved to travel on the steam locomotives.

The call boys had to get up anytime night and day, rain, hail or shine to alert everyone that worked in the railway that the train was coming…

We strolled through the streets nearby, admiring again some of the older buildings.

 Paleface Adios was a famous harness racing great. 

Later we walked the rail trail and had to wait for the 52 carriage and 3 diesel locomotive to shunt into the siding having to split in 2 to fit between the railway crossings.

Our trek today…