Medium size town on the Hay Plains between Mildura and Wagga in south western New South Wales. Located on the Murrumbidgee River and a touring point for the Mungo National Park (World Heritage Area) north. Balranald is the oldest town on this lower section of the river and wide verandahs are a feature of many of the shops in the main street. the Balranald services Club offers many tourist facilities and there is a small park on the north side of the road with an old gaol, school house and historic displays. |
When Major Mitchell returned to Sydney after his journey along the Murrumbidgee
and Murray Rivers in 1836, he gave glowing accounts of the land that he had
seen. Settlers soon followed, staking the best of the land for their sheep and
cattle. Their rural endeavours were enhanced by the development of the river
steamboat trade in the 1850s. Balranald quickly grew as an inland port and service
centre for the scattered and often isolated pioneers.
Balranald is now a thriving centre with a diverse agricultural and pastoral base. Supplementing the traditional activities are viticulture and horticulture near the river,and an expanding emphasis on tourism. Aquatic, canoeing and fishing activities are centred on the Lachlan, Murrumbidgee and Murray Rivers, and numerous permanent lakes in the district. Good sized Murray Cod, perch and redfin abound, and have even been caught from the banks of the caravan park. Fishing supplies are available in the town. The centrally located Yanga Lake has camping facilities, while for the less adventurous, there is caravan, motel and hotel accommodation. The Balranald Golf Club has eighteen grassed greens, there are bowling greens and licensed clubs, Visitors are welcome and temporary memberships are available for those holidaying in the region. Rafferty's Coffee Shop in the main street provides quality home-made fare for travellers. The Balranald District Ex-Servicemen's Memorial Club, also along the main thoroughfare, caters with midday and evening meals besides offering excellent gaming and entertainment for locals and tourists. The shire council has developed the former Court House and Post Office into a Heritage Park and Visitors Centre. The centre has a full-time Information Officer, picnic and barbecue areas, and public conveniences. Approximately 150 km north-west of Balranald is Mungo National Park which has World Heritage status. SEE A MAP OF BALRANALD PLACES OF INTEREST:
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