| DENILIQUIN - NEW SOUTH WALES - 2710 | ||||
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Population: 7800, Height above sea level: 90, Latitude: 35.30.00, Longitude: 144.57.00 Location: 760km south west of Sydney Highway: Cobb Hwy (75) and Riverina Hwy (58) Nearest Major Town: Echuca (Vic) Nearest Airport: Deniliquin Touring Area: Riverina and The Murray |
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Deniliquin is situated on the Edward River in the south of New South Wales near the Murray River.
Once an important stop on the Cobb and Co. stagecoach route it still opens its arms to visitors
who stop for a break, a short stay, or an extended holiday in the historic atmosphere. The first European activity in the area was when emigrant Benjamin Boyd commissioned a young station owner, Augustus Morris, to find suitable land in the Riverina to extend his bank's holdings. The selection and the head station of "Deniliquin" was established around 6km. upstream of the present site of the town. The run took its name from the chief of the local tribe, 'Denilakoon'. In 1847, a Dr. Coward set up huts on the south side of the river where Island Sanctuary now is, and in 1848 a surveyor was appointed to set out the town of Deniliquin with the first house, a two room, slab hut store being built in 1850 for Henry Wyse. Civic buildings followed with the gaol (1856), court-house, hospital (1856), George St. School (1856), now the Peppin Heritage Centre, and police station, and of course the inevitable hotels. At the formation of the council in 1868 there were 11 hotels including the Wanderer, Highlander, Royal (1855) and the Faugh-a-Ballagh (later the Sportsmans Arms). Deniliquin, and in particular Wanganella, 40km. north, is the home of the Peppin Merino breed, a strain which took Australian fleece production to the highest in the world. Begun by George Peppin and his wife Harriet and son Frederick they took over the property in 1858 after emigrating from Plymouth in the U.K. Wanganella was stocked with 7,500 ewes from which they selected the best 200, then added another 100 to form a core for stud breeding. They imported expensive rams from all over the world and began a breeding programme which, within 20 years, resulted in their recognition as world quality breeders. A bronze memorial at the gate of Wanganella recalls their achievements, as does an annexe at the Information Centre in the Peppin Heritage Centre. Deniliquin is also a thriving rice producing area and boasts the largest rice mill in the southern hemisphere. Wide streets, overhanging verandahs and plenty of parkland makes Deniliquin a pleasant place to stroll around and explore. You will enjoy every minute of a stop-over in this pretty riverside town. PLACES OF INTEREST: ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES: 
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© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins