Mendooran

Mendooran (31°48′S 149°07′E) is a small sleepy town of 340 population adjacent to the Castlereagh River in the Warrumbungle Shire of central western New South Wales, Australia. It is at an altitude of 271 metres above sea level, 348 kilometres west of Sydney and 71 kilometres South East of Coonabarabran.

History

The district was inhabited by the Wiradjuri tribe before white settlement. The first European to visit the area was Surveyor John Evans who came as close as 10 kilometres from Mendooran in 1815. Two years later it was John Oxley's group that passed through the area while conducting one of the first inland expeditions. 'Mendooran' station was established in 1834. It is believed that the name came from an Aboriginal word meaning 'sand washes down from the hills in this place'. Lucerne, wheat and sheep were established on the station in later years.

The small village grew in the 1860s on the old station near the bridge which passed over the Castlereagh River. As at 1866 there were 24 residents recorded in the area.

The John Bull Inn was erected to serve the passing traffic of the 1860s. A bridge was erected over the Castlereagh River in 1869 which increased the road traffic and contributed to local development. The town was laid out in 1881 with a school, police station and courthouse being built.

The Robertson Land Act of 1893 broke up the larger squatting runs and closer settlement then came about.

The best known incident in local history was the time in 1862 when Frank Gardiner's gang of bushrangers, which included the notorious Ben Hall, undertook one of Australia's largest gold robberies at Mendooran Rocks. Taking over two bullock teams they blockaded the road and then made the drivers lie down on the road pretending to be drunkards. Upon the arrival of the gold escort, the gang then splayed the stagecoach with a hail of bullets, which wounded two of the troopers whom all fled the scene. The gang then made off with the loot - 77 kilograms of gold and 3700 pounds in cash. Ben Hall was later arrested and charged but he was later released when a captured member of the gang refused to name him as one of the offenders involved in the robbery.

The Mendooran show is held each year in February/March/April.

Attractions

Mendooran Free Rest Area

Mendooran Free Rest Area Along the Castelreagh River, nestled amongst large gum trees, there is located a public rest area that has free cold water showers and toilet facilities.

The Town of Murals

Murals are the main attraction of Mendooran. Local artist Karin Thurston has painted most of these amazing features.

Prospects for bushwalking are excellent but there are not any facilities, so remember to take food and water and to notify someone of your movements.

Well Known People

Mendooran is the home of top Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman, who honed his skills at Mendooran Race Course. Hugh has recently returned from racing in the UK, where he featured on major race cards with another top Australian jockey, Darren Beadman.