Wingen, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WingenNew South Wales |
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"Old Church", New England Highway, Wingen
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 Wingen
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 323 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2337 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 292 m (958 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Upper Hunter Shire | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Hunter Region | ||||||||||||||
| County | Brisbane | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Wingen | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Upper Hunter | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | New England | ||||||||||||||
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Wingen is a small village in the Upper Hunter Shire area of New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the beautiful Hunter Region. You can find Wingen on the New England Highway, which is a main road. It's only about 15 minutes north of the town of Scone.
Wingen is famous for a special natural wonder called Burning Mountain. This is a unique place where a coal seam has been burning underground for thousands of years! The village is home to just a few hundred people. It has a couple of local businesses, like an antique shop and a pub.
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The Burning Mountain
Wingen is best known for its amazing Burning Mountain. Scientists believe this is the oldest known coal fire in the world. It has been burning for about 6,000 years! Early explorers in the 1800s thought the smoke coming from the mountain meant it was a volcano.
The name "Wingen" actually comes from the local Aboriginal language. It means "fire," which is perfect for a place with a burning mountain!
What is a Coal Seam Fire?
A coal seam fire happens when a layer of coal underground catches fire. This can happen naturally, perhaps from lightning or a bushfire. Once it starts, it can burn for a very long time because there's plenty of coal to fuel it.
The Wingen Maid
Another interesting feature near Wingen is the Wingen Maid. This is a unique rock formation found in the Wingen Maid Nature Reserve. When you look at it from a certain angle, the rocks look like a woman. It's a cool natural sculpture!
Wingen's History
Wingen used to have its own train station, called Wingen railway station. It was part of the Main North railway line. Trains stopped here from 1871 until 1975, connecting Wingen to other towns.
Important Places
Wingen has some places that are important for their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. One of these is:
- Raglan Street: Mountain House, Wingen – This is a special old building.
