Bush adventure is part of daily life here in the Heart of NSW. With such a large area to explore it is best to plan your trip but be prepared that you might encounter wildlife, farm machinery and drovers moving mobs of cattle on horseback.
Exact geographical centre of NSW, 42km west of Tottenham. A cairn marks the exact geographical point and gives the traveler a sense of space and appreciation of the natural environment. It is located on the eastern side of Cockies Road, 5km south of the Five Ways intersection. For GPS navigators the location is 147 1’56” E, 32 9’47” S.
Condobolin Historical Museum, 35 Bathurst Street Condobolin, contains a variety of displays depicting Condobolin’s pioneers, including a local WW1 centenary display. The Museum is operated by the Condobolin & District Historical Society Inc. with support of Lachlan Shire Council. Information on local and family history is available along with books and post cards. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10.30am to 2pm or by appointment. Please phone (02) 6895 4018 or (02) 6896 2219 to arrange a time.
The Condobolin Community Centre Craft Shop, corner of Denison and Bathurst Street, displays handmade craft items and souvenirs available for purchase. Items include knitted baby jackets and booties, scarves, tea pot covers, coat hangers and soft toys. There is also a selection of locally made relish, jam and pickles and a large selection of preloved books. The Craft Shop is open from 10am till 4pm from Wednesday through to Saturday. Stop in for a chat with the friendly Lachlan locals.
Condobolin Railway Museum, Madline Street. The Museum is housed in the former railway barracks and is a must see for railway enthusiasts. The barracks building is described by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage ; the best extant example of a rest house constructed from precast concrete in NSW from the 1920’s. This unique collection focuses on items with a direct connection to Condobolin and the surrounding district. Items include the former Micabil railway station building, a four-wheel S truck, a four-wheel water gin and many other smaller items are housed within the well preserved barracks and out-buildings. Some would say it is the impressive assortment of hand-operated and motorised track maintenance vehicles that are the gems of the collection. Visits to the Condobolin Railway Museum can be organised by contacting (02) 6895 3301. There are currently no fixed operating hours or admission charges but a collection this extensive is worthy of the attention by anyone with an interest in our railway heritage.
The farm chapel ‘Christ the King,’ Lake Cargelligo River Road, 50km west of Condobolin. Located on a property bordering the Lachlan River called “Bolo”. The first seeds for the idea of this farm chapel came from owner Walter Bachmann and his memories of his farm chapel on the family property in Switzerland, combined with a dream and the inspiration of the visionary Swiss National Saint, Bruder Klaus, whose image is depicted in
one of the frescos adorning the outside of the chapel. This spectacular farm chapel is of a circular design, representing the form of eternity. The domed roof is highlighted in the interior with a vast fresco adorning the ceiling and the building incorporates the chapel on the upper floor and a priests’ residence on the ground floor. A gallery walk around the outside of the chapel displays three mosaics created over a period of months from thousands of finely cut and polished stones depicting Christ the Teacher, St Joseph with baby Jesus and St Nicholas von Flüe. The interior of the chapel is engulfed by the fresco covering the domed ceiling. Visitors to the bush chapel are most welcome. For more information please call Brother Dominic on 0457 692 735.
Lake Cargelligo Historical Society Museum, Holt Street. Managed by a dedicated team of volunteers, the museum boasts a large and diverse collection of items specific to Lake Cargelligo and the surrounding area. Spend hours in the grounds outside viewing the rural machinery used for ploughing the land or harvesting crops, take a tour or browse inside the museum through household relics. The collection has been carefully catalogued and offers visitors a comprehensive insight into the lives of Lake Cargelligo locals. From the first pair of water skis used on the lake, to the telephone exchange, local firefighters’ uniforms, sewing machines, lamps and lanterns and more. Open Wednesday from 10am to 3pm or by appointment. To make a booking, please phone (02) 6898 1384.
The Lake Cargelligo Historical Society Museum also boasts a unique display of working draught horses which are on display at the museum annually on the June Long Weekend Museum Open Day or by appointment for large groups. If you wish to see the working draught horse museum demonstrating how things used to be done on the land, such as cutting chaff or grinding corn, please contact owners Jan and Steve Johnson in advance to ensure the horses are ready for your visit by phoning (02) 6898 1384.
The Lake Cargelligo Tourist Information Centre at 1 Foster Street houses the unique Alf Tyack Stone Butterfly and Gem Collection and is perfect to stop for information on Lake Cargelligo and the surrounding area. Call in and visit the friendly volunteer staff at the Information Centre and have a chat.
