I always go to say this name wrong. I can hear Chris correcting me when I think about how to say it. 😂
Nyngan was a pleasant surprise. A small country town with a lot of history, beautiful parks, free camping areas and one big, make that huge Bogan.
There are 3 free camping areas, one in town called the Flood Memorial Park, Nyngan Weir and the Nyngan Bowls Club. All 3 look great, the Weir seems to be a popular choice as it was obviously well used as it was very dusty with little to no grass, there were several campers there.
The one in town where I stayed is on bitumen, has shade, bins, table and chairs, dump point, potable water and well maintained toilets. It’s a very popular stop for people using the toilets. It’s in a very handy location to walk into the town area.
It was Good Friday when I was there so hardly anything was open and it was pretty quiet. It was also pretty hot so I did a drive around the area which allowed me to get further a field than if I had walked.
The Big Bogan is a site not to be missed with his fishing road and faithful friend Rusty. The Bogan Shire Council erected the structure in September 2015 as a tourist attraction, to promote Nyngan and the shire. The term Bogan originated from the Aussie larrikin and ocker. And where better to have a big Bogan than on the banks of the Bogan River. The Bogan represents the relaxed lifestyle on the river. So you have the Big Bogan on the Bogan River in the Bogan Shire.
In April 1990 the Bogan River flooded and completely inundated the town despite the efforts of the locals the leeve bank was breached. The flood broke all previous records. The town was cut off and under water, all services were cut. It was decided to airlift almost the entire population.
The Coach House in the same park as the Big Bogan.
In 1992 the Governor of NSW and the Nyngan Flood Recovery Coordinator, Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair presented a helicopter called Iroquois A2-1022 to the people of Nyngan on behalf of the Australian Government to commemorate the evacuation of Nyngan on the 24th October 1990.
The Iroquois A2-1022 had been used in the Vietnam War by the 9 squadron RAAF. The Iroquois remained in Nyngan for 19 years the town unaware of significance of the military history of the A2-1022 until in 2009 when a former member of the 9 squadron travelling through Nyngan spotted the aircraft.
Following talks between the Bogan Council and the Caloundra (QLD) RSL Sub Branch Recovery Team 2011, the A2-1022 was transported by road to Caloundra where it was restored and put on display outside the Caloundra RSP with a dedication ceremony in March 2012.
A Iroquois airframe was also restored to replace the A2-1022 in Nyngan which is on display in the main street.
I also came across a water tower beautifully painted, really outstanding. The people that paint these are incredible talented.
We drove down to the river where Jess insisted on a swim. Not that I blamed her it looked incredible inviting.
After a drive out to the weir it was decided we would stay back in town where it was less dusty.
There is also a Visitor Centre, Museum, Mid State Shearing Shed Museum, Nyngan Coach House, Golf Course, lovely parks with several public toilets around town. A main street that has plenty of shops and banks, but all closed.
I was impressed with Nyngan and it would nice to come back again when things are open.
A video of my time there.
Well done Nyngan, Live Long and Prosper 🖖🏿