Wilcannia is a small town with a population of 688, located within the Central Darling Shire in north western New South Wales, Australia. Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Nickname: Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Governor Premier Const. ...

History

Originally named Mt Murchison by the explorer Major Thomas Mitchell who passed through in 1835, Wilcannia was proclaimed in June 1866 and incorporated as a municipality in 1881. The township reached its height in the 1880s due to the booming sheep industry, when it boasted 13 hotels, a population of 3000, and a local newspaper - the Wilcannia Times. This article is about the animal, sheep; for other meanings of Sheep, see Sheep (disambiguation). ...

Wilcannia is the home of the Barkindji people (also known as Paakantji) who have been living in the area for over 40,000 years. Wilcannia in the local language means a gap in the bank where flood waters escape.

The centrelift bridge was built in 1896 and is now classified by the National Trust. It replaced a punt which was capable of moving 4000 sheep a day across the river.

In the early days Wilcannia was a port for riverboats on the Darling River. In 1887 alone over 200 paddle steamers stopped there. Known as 'Queen City of the West' there was a time when most of the wool from northwestern NSW passed through the port. The Darling River is the longest river in Australia, flowing 2,739km from northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at Wentworth, New South Wales. ... A paddle steamer, paddleboat, or paddlewheeler is a ship driven by one or more paddle wheels driven by a steam engine. ...

Geography

Wilcannia is located where the Barrier Highway crosses the Darling River, 965 km from Sydney. The environment is semi-arid with an annual rainfall of 255 mm. Mean maximum daily temperature in Summer is 34°C and in Winter is 19°C (Bureau of Meteorology). The Barrier Highway is a State highway in New South Wales, Australia. ... The Darling River is the longest river in Australia, flowing 2,739km from northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at Wentworth, New South Wales. ... Sydney Harbour looking south from the vicinity of the Sydney Harbour Bridge towards the CBD skyline; the Opera House is visible in the background on the left. ... The steppe of Western Kazakhstan in early spring In physical geography, steppe (from Slavic step) is a plain without trees (apart from those near rivers and lakes); it is similar to a prairie, although a prairie is generally reckoned as being dominated by tall grasses, while short grasses are said...

Wilcannia is located within the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion (IBRA classification, Department of Environment), consisting of landscapes adapted to flooding. Common species include River Red Gum, Yellow Box, Oldman Saltbush and Lignum.

The surrounding area is very sparsely settled by pastoralists who have large land holdings, used primarily to run sheep. This article is about the animal, sheep; for other meanings of Sheep, see Sheep (disambiguation). ...

Demography

From the 2001 Census, Wilcannia had a population of 688 with 448 (65%) people being of Aboriginal descent. Wilcannia has 191 private dwellings (Australian Bureau of Statistics).

External Links

Central Darling Shire (http://centraldarling.local-e.nsw.gov.au/about/1000/1012.html)

Visit NSW Wilcannia (http://wilcannia.visitnsw.com/HolidayLocation/TNSW609408CT.htm)

Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion (http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Darling+Riverine+Plains+Bioregion)