Wentworth, New South Wales

Wentworth is a small border town in the far south west of the state of New South Wales, Australia. It lies at the confluence of Australia's two most important rivers, the Darling and the Murray, the latter forming the border with the state of Victoria to the south. The border with the state of South Australia lies approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi) to the west. The town of Wentworth is in the local government area of the same name.

For the federal Australian Electoral Division covering Sydney's eastern suburbs, see Division of Wentworth.

Wentworth
New South Wales
Darling Street, Wentworth
Wentworth
Coordinates34°05′0″S 141°54′0″E
Population1,221 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2648
Elevation37.0 m (121 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Wentworth Shire
State electorate(s)Murray
Federal Division(s)Farrer
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
24.3 °C
76 °F		 10.9 °C
52 °F		 283.9 mm
11.2 in

History

Named after the famous explorer and politician William Charles Wentworth, the town is 34 kilometres (21 mi) to the west (via the Calder Highway) of the Victorian regional city of Mildura. The famous mining city of Broken Hill is 266 kilometres (165 mi) to the north along the Silver City Highway.

Moorna Post Office opened on 22 February 1855 and was renamed Wentworth in 1860.[2]

In 1876 Wentworth township was described in the following terms:

Wentworth is situated on the Darling, about half a mile from the junction, and is plainly visible from the Murray. The township is built on rising ground, and, save in very exceptional seasons, is quite out of reach of flood waters. The population is between 400 and 500. The place appears prosperous and progressive. The trade up the Darling River, and the supply of stores to the stations in the vicinity, form the life-blood of its prosperity. Wentworth possesses a custom-house – a hideous little building resembling a watch-house, and as great an eyesore as the cause of its establishment is an inconvenience and annoyance to trade. The other public buildings are a post and telegraph office, for Wentworth is on the main telegraph line to Adelaide, and a court-house and offices, which are also used for land offices. There is a resident police magistrate, Mr. Richardson ... The two churches in Wentworth are buildings creditable to the town. The Roman Catholic Church is a brick structure, the Protestant Church an edifice of brick and stone... There are three or four stores of considerable size, and several hotels. The Australian Joint Stock Bank has a branch here. The river, which, opposite the town is about the width of the Murray at Echuca, is crossed by a punt.[3]

Heritage listings

Wentworth has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Railways

During the late 1800s Wentworth was an important river port; however, like many such towns, its significance faded with the development of the railways (railroads).

In 1902, the people of Wentworth were lobbying for a railway from Mildura to be built, including a bridge over the River Murray.

Floods

The town has been flooded many times by the two rivers. The most significant was in 1956, when both rivers flooded simultaneously. Local farmers, supplemented by the army and navy, worked for months to build levee banks to hold the water out of the town.[8]

Visitor attractions

Wentworth is now an important tourist outback destination and provides a welcome break for those travelling to or from Broken Hill. In addition to its authentic outback charm, the town offers some interesting attractions:

The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally is a commemoration of the grey Fergie tractors that were used to maintain the levee banks and save the town from the 1956 Murray River flood.[8]

Wentworth was a popular destination for 'pokie tour' bus rides from Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, prior to the legalisation of poker (gambling) machines in that state.[9]

Sport

The town has an Australian rules football team competing in the Sunraysia Football League.[10]

And the Wentworth District Rowing Club has regular regattas and attendance at national and international events. http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/story/4598820/gold-edge-to-regatta/

Notable people

Climate

Wentworth has a Semi-arid climate (BSh) with hot summers and mild winters. Historical maxima and minima are 48.1 °C and −2.8 °C, respectively.

Climate data for Wentworth
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 48.1
(118.6)		 45.6
(114.1)		 43.3
(109.9)		 36.7
(98.1)		 31.7
(89.1)		 25.6
(78.1)		 26.4
(79.5)		 31.1
(88.0)		 36.7
(98.1)		 40.0
(104.0)		 42.8
(109.0)		 46.1
(115.0)		 48.1
(118.6)
Average high °C (°F) 32.9
(91.2)		 32.3
(90.1)		 29.2
(84.6)		 24.0
(75.2)		 19.5
(67.1)		 16.1
(61.0)		 15.6
(60.1)		 17.6
(63.7)		 21.1
(70.0)		 24.5
(76.1)		 28.3
(82.9)		 31.1
(88.0)		 24.3
(75.7)
Average low °C (°F) 17.1
(62.8)		 16.8
(62.2)		 14.5
(58.1)		 10.6
(51.1)		 7.9
(46.2)		 5.8
(42.4)		 4.8
(40.6)		 6.0
(42.8)		 8.1
(46.6)		 10.8
(51.4)		 13.4
(56.1)		 15.7
(60.3)		 11.0
(51.8)
Record low °C (°F) 9.4
(48.9)		 8.3
(46.9)		 6.1
(43.0)		 3.3
(37.9)		 0.0
(32.0)		 −1.7
(28.9)		 −2.8
(27.0)		 −0.6
(30.9)		 1.7
(35.1)		 2.8
(37.0)		 5.0
(41.0)		 8.3
(46.9)		 −2.8
(27.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 21.2
(0.83)		 21.8
(0.86)		 19.9
(0.78)		 17.5
(0.69)		 27.8
(1.09)		 26.8
(1.06)		 24.3
(0.96)		 25.8
(1.02)		 26.7
(1.05)		 27.6
(1.09)		 24.6
(0.97)		 22.4
(0.88)		 286.5
(11.28)
Average precipitation days 3.0 2.7 2.9 3.7 5.9 7.2 7.6 7.4 6.2 5.5 4.4 3.4 59.9
Source: [11]
  • Confluence of the Darling with the Murray River
  • Roadside sculpture, Wentworth, NSW, Australia
  • Semi-arid countryside; roadside rest stop 20 km north of Wentworth

References
  1. "2011 Census Quickstats". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  2. Premier Postal History, Post Office List, retrieved 11 April 2008
  3. 'The Riverine Trade (No. V): Down the Murray', The Argus (newspaper), 12 February 1876, p. 9.
  4. "Old Wentworth Gaol". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01982. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  5. "St. Ignatius School". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01507. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  6. "St. John's Anglican Church and Rectory". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H00661. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  7. "Avoca Homestead Complex". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01971. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  8. The 1956 flood of Wentworth, Mildura Tourism Inc, Accessed September 16, 2007
  9. Bob Byrne; David Blowers (12 November 2017). "How hundreds of people caught the pokies express into NSW to play poker machines". The Advertiser. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  10. Full Points Footy, Sunraysia Football League, retrieved 15 April 2009
  11. "Climate statistics for". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
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