Capybara Encounter Hunter Valley Wildlife Park In addition to the usual zoo exhibits, the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park offers a close encounter with a capybara. The capybara is the world’s largest rodent and is native to South America. It lives in groups near rivers, lakes, swamps and other wetlands, where it benefits from abundant vegetation and easy access to water. Its body is barrel-shaped, with short limbs and a small head, giving it a distinctive and compact appearance.

West Wyalong New South Wales West Wyalong grew from a goldfield that attracted miners from across New South Wales in the 1890s. Prospectors quickly explored the district, identifying rich alluvial gold near the Wyalong area. Consequently, tents and makeshift shelters spread across the diggings as fortune seekers arrived. Moreover, small traders opened shops along the irregular pathways that miners created. The crooked shape of today’s main street reflects those early movements.

Joadja Heritage Site Origins and Industrial Development Joadja lies in a secluded valley in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, and its origins date to the beginning of Australia’s industrial growth. Although the area had seen scattered activity earlier, substantial development began when the Australian Kerosene Oil and Mineral Company recognised the shale deposits in the 1870s. The company quickly established an extensive mining and refining operation, and the settlement grew as workers arrived from Britain and Scotland.

Mungo National Park Mungo National Park sits within the remote Willandra Lakes Region of south-western New South Wales. It forms part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area, which preserves a chain of ancient dry lakebeds that reflect more than 40,000 years of human history. The park spans over 110,000 hectares and lies about 110 kilometres north-east of Mildura. Moreover, its eroded lunettes and wide plains create a landscape that reveals one of the earliest known records of human presence in Australia.

Western Sydney Records Centre The Western Sydney Records Centre, located at Kingswood near Penrith, serves as the primary preservation and access facility for the NSW State Archives. It plays a crucial role in managing, storing, and safeguarding the official records of New South Wales government agencies. As the state’s central archival repository, the centre provides long-term protection for documents that hold administrative, legal, and historical significance.

St. Peter’s Cathedral Adelaide South Australia Standing on the northern edge of Adelaide, St Peter’s Cathedral opened for worship in 1877 after completion of the first section. Construction continued, with the rest of the nave completed by 1901. The towers were completed in 1902 and The Lady Chapel and crypt in 1904. The last section completed was the front steps in 1911.

Gum Swamp Wildlife Refuge at Forbes in New South Wales Gum Swamp Wildlife Refuge lies about four kilometres south of Forbes in New South Wales. It forms part of the region’s wider Lachlan River catchment. Historically, this swamp was a seasonal wetland fed by creeks and runoff, sustaining Aboriginal communities who relied on it for food and shelter. The Wiradjuri people, traditional custodians of the area, fished and hunted here long before European settlement.

Forbes New South Wales Located in the central-west of New South Wales, Forbes has a lot to offer from bushrangers to bird watching and public art to architecture. Field of canola in flower What to See in Forbes Within Forbes itself, the streets have many beautiful old buildings. Among them are the fine stone churches, the Victorian-Italianate Post Office, and the Town Hall.

Weethalle New South Wales Located in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia, Weethalle is a small town servicing the local farms. We stopped here early in the morning on a trip from Hay to Forbes after driving two hours. After buying a coffee and morning tea at the "Road Kill Grillz" café, we had a look at the local silo art which features a shearer and wheat farm.

Paringa Silo Art Located just outside Renmark in South Australia, the Paringa Silo Art, titled "The River at Renmark," showcases the rich history and beautiful environment of the Riverland region. Painted by artists Jack Fran and Sam Brooks, it captures the essence of life along the Murray River. Completed in early 2021, the silos serve as an attraction, drawing travellers off the Sturt Highway.