The Blue Heeler and the Platypus

 

Blue Heeler Country

I visited Muswellbrook located in the upper Hunter valley region of New South Wales Australia. Muswellbrook is located on the land of the traditional owners the Wonnarua, Wanaruah and Gamilaroi peoples. Muswellbrook is known as blue heeler country due to the origin of the Australian Cattle dog breed originating in a near by town in 1825 at Dartbrook Station near Aberdeen NSW. The Blue Heeler was bred by Thomas Simpson Hall, who crossed a Northumberland Merle with a dingo. Two cattle dog statues are within the main street of Bridge Street and each year the Australian Cattle dog Muster is held in Muswellbrook. Each year a Blue Heeler Film festival is held in the near by town of Denham to promote local film makers. Read more about the history of the Blue Heeler here.

Working Dog by Tanya Bartlett (2017)

Hunter by Brett (Mon) Garling (2016)

Cattle Dog art displayed at Muswellbrook Library

King, The Golden Wings of Innovation: Muswellbrook Shire Council

Star: Blue Heeler Film Festival Team

Simpsons Park

Simpsons Park is the main recreational space in the centre of Muswellbrook.  It is a beautiful park suitable for families as it provides play equipment, BBQ facilities and picnic tables. The park also features a range of public art including an amazing First Nations Mural by artists George Anderson, Lee Elvin, Brad Franks and John Neville. The mural represents reconciliation between the traditional owners and European settlers.  A wonderful magpie chainsaw carving is within the park too by local artist Mark Ray. Another small mural that tells the story of the platypus in the Muscle creek with a QR code to hear the story told by Elder Uncle Glen Morris and Amanda (Mandy) Howard. The artwork was created by Leanne Ward. 

Mural by Leanne Ward and students from Follow the dream Polly Framer Foundation.

Platypus Track

The local council and land care created a nature trail around the Muscle Creek which is said to have platypus in it. The track also features an augmented reality tour with QR codes at selected parts of the track that tell you more about the local flora, fauna and culture. Read more about it here and here.

Pat the platypus your guide on the Augmented reality tour

QR code for AR

Nature murals

Celebration of the local fauna are displayed in a number of murals. One mural is a public art installation of metal animals and a blue ribbon representing the fauna in the local Muscle Creek. The mural is along the Railway bridge on Bridge street. I'm unaware who the artist was.

 

 

Gyarran Mural 

A mural that depicts the local Muscle Creek known as Gyarran by the local Traditional owners of the land, is located along the nature trail beside muscle creek. The artwork was designed by Leanne Ward, Arti Trasi and Students and teachers from follow the dream Polly Framer Foundation.

Lee Elvin Mural

Another mural is within the Library on Bridge street. It is a First Nations style mural by Lee Elvin (1939-2015) he was a well known artist of the Hunter Valley region. He was known for supporting First Nations groups to explore their culture through art. His legacy continues with his daughter Lesley Salem and Grandchildren, Alex, Tamar and Tamika, following in his footsteps creating art.

Max Watters

A lovely sculpture by Linda Klarfled honours the legacy of local artist Max Watters (1936-2020) who subject matter was inspired by the rural landscapes of the hunter valley region.

Final Thoughts

Muswellbrook was a lovely place to visit, I liked the mix of art, nature and a semi rural town. The ode to the Blue heeler dog was a highlight too. I recommend a stop at the Cattle Dog Cafe and Florist as they have great coffee. Muswellbrook is around a 4hr train trip from Sydney so easy to relax with a book or admire the scenery on your trip up to the Upper Hunter Valley Region.

 

The Iconic Campbells Corner building on Bridge street Built 1870

Video extras

Below is more footage of my trip to Muswellbrook