Pooncarie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids PooncarieNew South Wales |
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Pooncarie Hotel, 2021
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 Pooncarie
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 226 (2021 census) |
| Established | 1863 |
| Postcode(s) | 2648 |
| Elevation | 56 m (184 ft) |
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| LGA(s) | Wentworth Shire |
| State electorate(s) | Murray |
| Federal Division(s) | Farrer |
Pooncarie is a small village in the south-western part of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the eastern side of the Darling River, between the towns of Wentworth and Menindee. The area around Pooncarie is quite dry, with an outback landscape that includes many eucalypt trees. In 2021, about 226 people lived in Pooncarie.
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A Look Back in Time
European settlers first came to this region in the 1840s. They started raising animals on land that wasn't officially theirs. In the 1860s, the government made these land claims official. This helped the area become more organized.
As more people moved in, Pooncarie grew into an important service center for the surrounding farms. In the mid-1800s, the town's wharf on the Darling River was very busy. Paddle-steamers carried wool from northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. They passed through Pooncarie on their way to South Australia.
Burke and Wills Expedition
The famous Burke and Wills expedition also passed through Pooncarie. This was a journey across Australia from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. They reached the Darling River close to Tarcoola Station on September 26, 1860. The next day, they set up their 30th camp at what is now Bilbarka Park. The expedition stayed here until October 11, 1860, before heading north.
The town was officially named "Pooncaira" in 1863.
Pooncarie Today
Today, Pooncarie is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of the Ginkgo Mineral Sands mine. This mine started working in late 2005.
The village now has a postal center and a Centrelink office. This office is in the old police station building. You can also find a hotel, a golf course, a tennis court, and a general store. There is also a cemetery and a racecourse. The Pooncarie Cup horse race is held here every year. It attracts more than 1,500 people.
Pooncarie is also the closest town to Mungo National Park. This park is about 88 kilometers (55 miles) away. You can get fuel at the general store, which reopened in July 2013.
Places of Historical Importance
The Wentworth Shire area has several places listed for their historical importance. One of these is the PS Rodney. This historic paddle-steamer is located on the Darling River at Polia Station, near Pooncarie.
Weather and Environment
Pooncarie has a hot desert climate. This means it has very hot and dry summers. The winters are short and cool. Even though it gets about 267.7 millimeters (10.5 inches) of rain each year, it's still considered a desert. This is because the high temperatures cause a lot of water to evaporate.
- Summers are very hot, with average high temperatures around 35°C (95°F).
- Winters are cool, with average low temperatures around 5°C (41°F).
- The highest temperature ever recorded was 48.2°C (118.8°F).
- The lowest temperature ever recorded was -3.7°C (25.3°F).
