Bundarra, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BundarraNew South Wales |
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Thunderbolts Way
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 Bundarra
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 676 (2016 census) | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2359 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 660 m (2,165 ft) | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
| LGA(s) | Uralla Shire | ||||||||
| County | Hardinge | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Northern Tablelands | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | New England | ||||||||
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Bundarra is a small town located on the Northern Tablelands in New South Wales, Australia. It sits along Thunderbolts Way and next to the Gwydir River. Bundarra is part of the Uralla Shire local government area. It is about 563 kilometres (350 miles) northwest of Sydney, the state capital. In 2016, Bundarra had a population of 394 people. The wider surrounding area had 676 residents.
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Exploring Bundarra's Past
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Bundarra gets its name from the Kamilaroi language. It means "grey kangaroo." The Kamilaroi and Anaiwan people were the first inhabitants of the Bundarra area. There's a local hill called "Rumbling Mountain." An Aboriginal story explains why it sometimes rumbles and shakes.
Bundarra Station was started in 1836. Soon after, a hotel and a store were built where the town is now. A church was built in 1857, around the same time the town was officially planned. Many old buildings on Bundarra's main street were built between 1860 and 1880.
A school opened in 1869. It became a central school in 1955, teaching all grades. A Roman Catholic convent was built in 1908. A local newspaper, the Bundarra Advocate, also started. At one point, the town had three hotels, three stores, three butchers, and a bank. Copper and gold were also discovered nearby. The famous bushranger, Fred Ward, known as Captain Thunderbolt, was active in the area in 1868.
The Historic Bundarra Bridge
The Bundarra bridge was built in 1881. It is a five-span iron lattice truss bridge. This bridge crosses the Gwydir River. It is 204 metres (669 feet) long and 5.6 metres (18 feet) wide. The bridge is very important for its design and history. It is still used today. A big community celebration was held for its 100th birthday.
Bundarra's historic look led to it being a filming location. Parts of the movie The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith were filmed here. This film was based on a famous novel by Thomas Keneally.
Heritage Sites in Bundarra
Bundarra has several places listed for their historical importance. One key site is the Bundarra Police Station and Courthouse on Oliver Street. This building, along with The Basin Nature Reserve, was once listed on the Register of the National Estate.
Wildlife Around Bundarra
Bundarra is part of the Bundarra-Barraba Important Bird Area. This area is special because it is one of only three places in New South Wales where the endangered regent honeyeater breeds. There are about 30 of these birds here. This is a small part of the total population of about 1,500 birds. You can also see Platypuses in the Gwydir River near the Bundarra bridge.
Town Facilities and Activities
Today, Bundarra has a K-12 central school, which teaches all grades from kindergarten to year 12. There is also a police station and two churches. The Grace Munro Centre is a modern facility for aged care. The town also has an agricultural supplies store, a garage, and a hotel. You can find a sporting club and a golf course.
Bundarra has a rural transaction centre, which helps with services like Centrelink. There is also a community technology centre. The general store acts as a bottle shop, newsagent, and gift shop. It also offers basic postal services. A takeaway store is open seven days a week.
You can go camping at the local campground. It has powered sites and hot showers. There is also a free camping spot on the edge of town by the river.
Annual Events and Fishing
Bundarra hosts several fun events each year. These include the Agricultural show in January, the Goat Races in April, and the rodeo in November. The Gwydir River is a great place for fishing. You might even catch some Murray cod there!
