Inverell is a large country town located in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales Australia. It is situated alongside the Macintyre river. Platypus and the Murray Cod have been recorded in the Macintyre River too. Inverell resides on the land of the Kamilaroi nation and contains the following clans Nucoorilma,Wirrayaraay, Jukambal, Bigambul, Ngarabal, Kwiambal and Anaiwan. Scottish land owners settled in Inverell, the town was named by Alexander Campbell after a Gaelic word meaning the meeting place of swans due to the abundant swans in the area.
Scottish Thistle Cairn monument
Evans Street Art
Located on Evans street outside Inverell art gallery is the Meandering Macintyre mosaic. The mosaic is 90cm wide by 94 metres in length. The footpath was designed by volunteers associated with the Gallery as a gift to the local community, it look a total of 3000 volunteer hours to make. The mosaic represents the Macintyre river and features 15 wildflowers and 88 native fauna. Below are some highlights of the mosaic.
Aunty Elizabeth Connors
Aunty Elizabeth Connors (1926-2020) was known as a compassionate and caring First Nations Elder of the Inverell community. She helped promote reconciliation within the community and create important cultural sites such as the guided soundtrail phone app for the track at Sheep station gully at Goonoowigall that uses GPS tracking to tell you local first Nations history as you walk through the site. Artist Claire Foxton created a beautiful mural on the side of the art gallery at Evans Street of Aunty Elizabeth Connors to honour her legacy and commitment to the community.
Poppy Sculpture
A lovely poppy flower sculpture is in Northey Park to pay respect to the 5 local men who lost their lives during the first world war. They were recruited during the 1916 Kurrajong drive. Read more about the history behind the Kurrajongs here.
Bicentennial memorial
A bicentennial memorial (1988) marking the 200 years of British occupation in Australia is located in Sinclair Park. It features 14 sculptured bas relief panels depicting scenes from pre 1788 with images from local First Nations daily life, scenes from British occupation 1788-1888 with the settlement of Inverell by Alan Cunningham and scenes of technological and social developments from 1888-1988.
Scene depicting the growing city Inverell
Depicting the gem mining industry within Inverell in particular saphires, silver, diamonds, zircons, quartz and topaz
Mega fauna known to the First Nations people around 40,000 years ago
Scene depicting local Murri people (Kamilaroi) original owners and protectors of the land
Scene depicting First nations and important local fauna used as food
The creation of the Municipality of Inverell
Scene depicting one of the tragic incidents in First Nations/White Australian conflicts over land. The Myall Creek Massacre (1838) in Myall Creek a town 30 mins drive away from Inverell. 12 stockman massacred 28 unarmed Wirrayaraay first nations people without any provocation. Sadly only seven of the stockmen where hung but was good to see that this horrible case of mass murder did not get wiped under the rug unlike other massacres committed by White settlers. Read more about the history here and a very good documentary here
Alan Cunningham exploration of Inverell in 1827
Bridge Murals
There are lovely murals on the bridge pylons on the Inverell Town Bridge, which can be viewed at Riverside Park or Lions Park. I am unsure who the artist is.
Lake Inverell
The Lake Inverell Reserve is a wildlife and aquatic sanctuary and is situated along Lake Inverell Road, 2 km from the centre of Inverell. Many natural birds, waterbirds, kangaroos, wallabies, and platypus reside in this tranquil environment.
Gilgai is located about 15 minute drive or 10km South of Inverell. Located a few minutes from Inverell Airport at 29 Ponds Road Gilgai is the amazing New England wood turning and sculpture gallery. The place displays a range of scrap metal sculptures, steam punk style creations and wooden cravings including digeroodoos. Rob Day is the artist and he and his wife run the place. It is a must to visit if you are in the area. Learn more about it here.
Aussie gang: Hare, Kangaroos, Emus, frilled neck lizard and echidna
Echidna
Frilled Neck Lizard
Koala
Scorpion
Wedge Tailed Eagles
Outdoor sculptures featuring a sawfish
Tree carving
Mad Max style car
Mad Max style car
Steam punk inspired Grand fathers Clock
Steam punk didgeridoo and traditional didgeridoos in the background
Wooden Clocks
Character style carvings
Video Extras
Check out my video below for more amazing art from Rob Day at New England Wood turning and Sculptures and check out this link here for a walk through tour of the sculptures by Rob.
Final Thoughts
Inverell was a lovely town the people were very friendly and the Lake and walking around the river were a highlight of my trip. Other well known tourist spots within Inverell are the Pioneer village, Art Gallery and the National Transport Museum. The Visitor Information Centre on Campbell street also has a nice selection of local produce and minerals found within the area.
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94 meters - now that's a mosaic! Love that mural of Aunty too, and wow that steam punk park is a like post within a post. awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much I appreciate your lovely feedback
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