Carrathool facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CarrathoolNew South Wales |
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Wade St, the main street of Carrathool
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 Carrathool
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 238 (2016 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2711 |
| Elevation | 104 m (341 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Carrathool Shire |
| County | Sturt |
| State electorate(s) | Murray |
| Federal Division(s) | Riverina |
Carrathool is a small village in the western Riverina area of New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Carrathool Shire. In 2016, about 238 people lived in Carrathool.
The village is located about 5 kilometres (3 miles) north of the Sturt Highway. This highway runs between Darlington Point and Hay. Carrathool is on the opposite side of the Murrumbidgee River from the highway. The village sits on a flat plain, a few kilometres north of the river. It grew up around its old railway station, which is no longer used.
The name Carrathool comes from a word used by the local Aboriginal people. It means "Native Companion," which is another name for the Brolga, a large Australian bird.
Contents
Exploring Carrathool's Past
Early Days and River Crossings
In October 1852, a special area was set aside near what was then called Currathool. This area was about 11.6 square kilometres (4.5 square miles). It was located on the north bank of the Murrumbidgee River. This land was part of a cattle farm.
The first village of Carrathool was at a river crossing point. This spot was on the Murrumbidgee River, at a place known as Boree Point.
Village Life and Population
The Carrathool Post Office first opened on June 20, 1882.
For many years, signs at the edge of Carrathool said "population 99." People in the village hoped to reach 100 residents. However, due to dry weather and young people moving to bigger towns, this number has been hard to reach. The official census numbers for Carrathool are for the whole area, not just the small village itself.
Important Historic Places
Carrathool has some places that are listed for their historical importance. These sites are protected because they tell us about the past.
- Carrathool Bridge over Murrumbidgee River: This bridge is located on Main Road and is a key part of the area's history. It helped people cross the Murrumbidgee River.
