BOOLIGAL - NEW SOUTH WALES - 2711
Population: 50
Height above sea level:
Latitude: 33.51.00
Longitude: 144.52.00
Location:  830km west of Sydney
Highway: Cobb Hwy (75) 
Nearest Major Town: Hay
Nearest Airport: Hay
Touring Area: Riverina and The Murray

The school at Booligal


Booligal is a small township on the Lachlan River surrounded by extensive grasslands and saltbush plains supporting a few cattle, kangaroos, emus and reptiles. Galahs, Wedge- Tailed Eagles and crows soar overhead, occasionally disturbing the flight plans of millions of bush-flies. It is a desolate place. This fact was noted by poet 'Banjo' Paterson in his poem 'Hay and Hell and Booligal'.
For all its remote location 'out bush near Hay', it has a few facilities There is even a primary school with 6 students, a pub, occasionally used sports oval, and some public toilets.
Fishing for Yellowbelly, red fin or Murray Cod is a popular pastime and there are good size yabbies in the river.
Surveyor John Oxley was the first to discover the area and Booligal became a stopover for the Cobb and Co Coaches in the days when 100,000 acre sheep stations were held for only 10 cents per acre. By 1890 the town had a population of 500 with a courthouse, two hotels and several businesses. A memorial to Oxley was erected beside the river in 1967 with a giant theodolite set in stone as a reminder of his explorations.
The name Booligal comes from the aboriginal word for 'Windy Place'. Its main production today is cotton, grain and orchards, mainly due to the waters of the MIA.
Limited accommodation is available at the local hotel.
Definitely a place to call in to just to say you have been there.

PLACES OF INTEREST:
  • Mungo National Park
  • Willandra National Park - Hillston
    ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:


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    INFORMATION CENTRE:
    Hay Information Centre:
    Moppett St. Hay. N.S.W.
    Ph: 02 6993 4045

    HOW TO GET THERE:
    Turn off the Sturt Highway (20) at Hay and onto the Cobb Highway.

  • © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins