Bonegilla Victoria

At 7am we drove Buster to Opposite Locks to get a diesel tune done. We have had good reports and look forward to Buster having more oomph going up hills. By 10am Buster was ready to go! 

We have always wanted to go and have a look at the Bonegilla Migrant Camp. My (Mireille) parents and I (6 months old) came here in January 1969. After flying into Sydney we were transferred here. Our stay was relatively short, only 6 days, before we went to Commonwealth Hostel in Maribyrnong, Victoria. 

Only 1 Block remains of more than 24 that existed back then. It had originally been an army training camp during WWII. Bonegilla became the largest and longest operating reception centre in the post-war era. More than 300,000 migrants passed through its doors between 1947 and 1971. Our arrival was near the end of the camps lifespan.  At its busiest there was 8,000 people here. Although we had been here for only a short time, for a couple of hours I tried to imagine what it would have been like for us here… our first experience of Australia. We wondered through the different huts depicting their uses and reflecting in the migrants lives. 

We were in Section 13 G

The only residents here now

We also had a look at the Wodonga and District Historical Society. It had collections and information telling the story of the birth and growth of Wodonga and environs. 

From here we drove 125km to a free camp in Benalla, arriving just after 3:30pm… edging closer to home.

Lockhart, New South Wales

After a lovely peaceful night we ventured back into Narrandera to explore more of its historical buildings.

We tried to go for a walk through the Koala reserve over the bridge but the rain puts us off.

Back on the Main Street with map in hand we wonder around.

On the way to our the next destination, Lockhart (64km away), we turned off to go up Galore Hill, which offered us some beautiful views of the surrounding fertile countryside.  At the summit there were picnic, toilet and barbecue facilities and lookout tower. It is claimed that the bushranger 'Mad Dog' Morgan used the caves on the northern side as a refuge when he was being hunted down in the 1860’s.

Lockhart proved to be a charming Riverina town and is noted for its remarkable main street with its shady verandas, decorative iron work and beautifully restored facades.

It also has over 25 sculptures through out the town and holds an annual festival and competition. Many are made from recycled farm materials and depict farm life. Once again maps in hand we go for an explore. 

Then we make our way to Wodonga, Victoria, leaving New South Wales after 5 days… we make a promise to come back to visit this area more extensively in the future. 

Tonight we are in one of the 8 spots at the Wodonga Showgrounds ($30), in preparation for Busters’ Tune up early tomorrow morning. 

Completing 198km for today.