Wentworth

Wentworth is only a short drive from Mildura, and I loved its combination of river scenery, paddle-steamer history and historic buildings. There was something special about being at the place where the Murray and Darling meet—two great rivers coming together, with so much of the town’s story tied to their waters. The old gaol was a particular highlight among the historic buildings, adding another fascinating layer to the town’s past. Nearby, the Perry Sandhills offered a beautiful change of scenery. Their sweeping curves and rich colours were wonderfully photogenic, and a joy to explore with my camera.

Places visited in Wentworth

By the Murray River

I stopped on the banks of the Murray, a tranquil spot beside one of Australia’s most iconic rivers. The Murray is deeply woven into the country’s history, sustaining Aboriginal communities for thousands of years and later becoming a vital transport route for paddle steamers carrying wool, supplies and passengers between river towns. Sitting beside it, I enjoyed the peace of the water and reflected on how much life and history its banks have witnessed.

Fotherby Park

My next stop was Fotherby Park, with its collection of old machinery and reminders of Wentworth’s pioneering past. Among the exhibits are a steam-powered tractor and a “Grey Fergie”, the little tractor celebrated for helping save the town during the 1956 floods. The park also houses the paddle steamer Ruby, a lovely link to the riverboat era when vessels carried passengers and cargo between towns along the Murray.

The Paddle Steamer Ruby

I stopped to admire the paddle steamer Ruby. There is something wonderfully evocative about these boats: just seeing one brings to mind the churn of paddle wheels, the sound of a steam whistle and a river busy with trade. From the 1850s, paddle steamers became a vital link between communities along the Murray–Darling river system, delivering supplies, mail and passengers to inland towns and stations, and towing barges laden with wool to market. These peaceful waterways were once bustling transport routes. 

Built at Morgan in South Australia in 1907, Ruby carried passengers and cargo between river ports including Echuca, Mildura, Wentworth and Goolwa. She later became a houseboat at Mildura and gradually fell into disrepair before the Wentworth Rotary Club bought her in 1968. A community restoration began in 1996, with thousands of volunteer hours devoted to bringing her back to life. By her centenary in 2007, she was steaming again—a lovely testament to the affection these old vessels inspire. Admiring her at Fotherby Park, I felt a little closer to that whole chapter of Australia’s history.

Rod's Model Paddle Steamer Display

In town, I visited Rod’s Model Paddle Steamer Display, an amazing collection of historic Australian paddle steamers he had painstakingly recreated over many years. Each model was a work of art, reflecting his skill as a craftsman and his love for these vessels. Rod was full of information and spoke with such enthusiasm that I found myself asking question after question, both about the steamers and how he made his models. We really bonded. His passion reminded me of Dad and the care and patience with which he built his model steam trains, making the visit especially meaningful for me. When I asked where his love of paddle steamers began, Rod told me that his grandmother had lived and worked aboard one. Through her, that world had captured his imagination—a fascination that had stayed with him for a lifetime.

Ron's grandmother is on the far right

The Historic Warf  

My next stop was the historic Wentworth Wharf on the Darling River. Originally built in 1879 from local timber, it was once a bustling hub of river trade: Wentworth became the busiest inland port in New South Wales, with a record 31 steamers docking during a single week. It was fascinating to imagine the waterfront alive with paddle steamers, cargo and people coming and going. The wharf standing today is a replica, complete with a little customs office, preserving a tangible connection to the riverboat era that shaped the town.

Historic buildings in town

I walked around town, admiring some of Wentworth’s old buildings, including the old post office. I love exploring historic towns on foot, with time to notice the details and get a feel for the place. After learning so much about the paddle steamers, it was lovely to wander the streets and imagine the town in its river-trading heyday, with boats arriving and people coming and going.

Old Wentworth Gaol

My next stop was the old Wentworth Gaol, built between 1879 and 1881 to replace the town’s overcrowded lock-ups. Designed by colonial architect James Barnet, it had ten cells for men and two for women, together with a hospital, kitchen and two observation towers. Heritage NSW Walking around, I was struck by how austere it all was. The bare cells and enclosed spaces made it easy to imagine how bleak confinement here must have felt. The Victorians really could be harsh, and this was a sobering glimpse of that side of the town’s history.

The Big Yabbie

Outside the gaol grounds was the Big Yabbie, a wonderfully quirky change of mood after the austerity inside. Australians make me smile with their fondness for “Big” things. There is something endearing about turning a humble freshwater crustacean into a landmark—a bit of playful humour to send me on my way.

Thegoa Lagoon

I spent some time exploring the area around Thegoa Lagoon, stopping at Lock 10—one of the many locks I encountered in this part of the country. I then drove off the beaten track to the lagoon itself, a very peaceful spot where it was lovely to slow down and take in the surroundings. A beautiful black swan with its young was a particular highlight, adding a gentle touch of life to the quiet waters.

The Murray-Darling Junction

My next stop was the Murray–Darling junction, where two of Australia’s most iconic rivers meet. After spending time beside their waters, it felt special to see them come together. It was a lovely spot, with a lookout tower offering a wider view of the meeting point and the surrounding landscape. I lingered for a while, enjoying the scenery and thinking about how much of Australia’s story is bound up with these two rivers.

Perry Sandhills at sunset

My last stop was the undoubted highlight of the day: the Perry Sandhills. Just six kilometres outside Wentworth, these shifting dunes cover around 160 hectares on the edge of the floodplain. They also hold a much older story: Aboriginal people camped and hunted here, and the sands have yielded remains of prehistoric megafauna, including giant kangaroos and wombats. It was fascinating to think of all that history beneath such a beautiful landscape. Perry Sandhills

I love dunes—the sweeping curves, the delicate ripples and the patterns sculpted by the wind. They are so wonderfully photogenic, and as the sun sank lower, the sand began to glow beautifully. I wandered with my camera, absorbed in the shapes and changing light, then paused simply to take it all in. This was my first real spiritual highlight of the trip: that lovely feeling of becoming still, with nothing to do but bask in the beauty around me.

Then came a rather abrupt return to earthly concerns. Back at my hire car in the dark, I could not find how to switch on the headlights. I searched everywhere, there was a bit of swearing, and my spiritual serenity rapidly wore off! Thankfully, I had phone reception. I told ChatGPT I was driving a Volkswagen Polo and asked where the light switch was. It promptly told me, and I was soon on my way. This was the first of several occasions when my virtual travel companion really came through in a clinch!