Wentworth, New South Wales
Encyclopedia
Wentworth is a small border town in the far south west of the state of New South Wales
, Australia
. It lies at the confluence
of Australia's two most important rivers, the Darling
and the Murray
, the latter forming the border with the state of Victoria
to the south. The border with the state of South Australia
lies approximately 100 km to the west. The town of Wentworth is in the Local Government Area of the same name.
, the town is 34 km to the west (via the Calder Highway
) of the Victorian
regional city of Mildura
. The famous mining city of Broken Hill
is 266 km to the north along the Silver City Highway
.
Moorna Post Office opened on 22 February 1855 and was renamed Wentworth in 1860.
In 1876 Wentworth township was described in the following terms:
; however, like many such towns, its significance faded with the development of the railways (railroads).
In 1902, the people of Wentworth were lobbying for a railway from Mildura to be built, including a bridge over the River Murray.
, when both rivers flooded simultaneously. Local farmers, supplemented by the army
and navy
, worked for months to build levee banks to hold the water out of the town.
destination and provides a welcome break for those travelling to or from Broken Hill. In addition to its authentic outback charm, the town offers some interesting attractions:
The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally is a commemoration of the grey Fergie
tractors that were used to maintain the levee banks and save the town from the 1956 Murray River flood
.
Wentworth was a popular destination for 'pokie tour' bus rides from Adelaide
, the capital city of South Australia
, prior to the legalisation of poker (gambling) machines
in that state .
team competing in the Sunraysia Football League
.
Golfers play at the course of the Wentworth Services Golf Club.
, Australia
. It lies at the confluence
of Australia's two most important rivers, the Darling
and the Murray
, the latter forming the border with the state of Victoria
to the south. The border with the state of South Australia
lies approximately 100 km to the west. The town of Wentworth is in the Local Government Area of the same name.
, the town is 34 km to the west (via the Calder Highway
) of the Victorian
regional city of Mildura
. The famous mining city of Broken Hill
is 266 km to the north along the Silver City Highway
.
Moorna Post Office opened on 22 February 1855 and was renamed Wentworth in 1860.
In 1876 Wentworth township was described in the following terms:
; however, like many such towns, its significance faded with the development of the railways (railroads).
In 1902, the people of Wentworth were lobbying for a railway from Mildura to be built, including a bridge over the River Murray.
, when both rivers flooded simultaneously. Local farmers, supplemented by the army
and navy
, worked for months to build levee banks to hold the water out of the town.
destination and provides a welcome break for those travelling to or from Broken Hill. In addition to its authentic outback charm, the town offers some interesting attractions:
The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally is a commemoration of the grey Fergie
tractors that were used to maintain the levee banks and save the town from the 1956 Murray River flood
.
Wentworth was a popular destination for 'pokie tour' bus rides from Adelaide
, the capital city of South Australia
, prior to the legalisation of poker (gambling) machines
in that state .
team competing in the Sunraysia Football League
.
Golfers play at the course of the Wentworth Services Golf Club.
, Australia
. It lies at the confluence
of Australia's two most important rivers, the Darling
and the Murray
, the latter forming the border with the state of Victoria
to the south. The border with the state of South Australia
lies approximately 100 km to the west. The town of Wentworth is in the Local Government Area of the same name.
, the town is 34 km to the west (via the Calder Highway
) of the Victorian
regional city of Mildura
. The famous mining city of Broken Hill
is 266 km to the north along the Silver City Highway
.
Moorna Post Office opened on 22 February 1855 and was renamed Wentworth in 1860.
In 1876 Wentworth township was described in the following terms:
; however, like many such towns, its significance faded with the development of the railways (railroads).
In 1902, the people of Wentworth were lobbying for a railway from Mildura to be built, including a bridge over the River Murray.
, when both rivers flooded simultaneously. Local farmers, supplemented by the army
and navy
, worked for months to build levee banks to hold the water out of the town.
destination and provides a welcome break for those travelling to or from Broken Hill. In addition to its authentic outback charm, the town offers some interesting attractions:
The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally is a commemoration of the grey Fergie
tractors that were used to maintain the levee banks and save the town from the 1956 Murray River flood
.
Wentworth was a popular destination for 'pokie tour' bus rides from Adelaide
, the capital city of South Australia
, prior to the legalisation of poker (gambling) machines
in that state .
team competing in the Sunraysia Football League
.
Golfers play at the course of the Wentworth Services Golf Club.
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It lies at the confluence
Confluence (geography)
In geography, a confluence is the meeting of two or more bodies of water. It usually refers to the point where two streams flow together, merging into a single stream...
of Australia's two most important rivers, the Darling
Darling River
The Darling River is the third longest river in Australia, measuring from its source in northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at Wentworth, New South Wales. Including its longest contiguous tributaries it is long, making it the longest river system in Australia.The...
and the Murray
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
, the latter forming the border with the state of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
to the south. The border with the state of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
lies approximately 100 km to the west. The town of Wentworth is in the Local Government Area of the same name.
History
Named after the famous explorer and politician William Charles WentworthWilliam Wentworth
William Charles Wentworth was an Australian poet, explorer, journalist and politician, and one of the leading figures of early colonial New South Wales...
, the town is 34 km to the west (via the Calder Highway
Calder Highway
Calder Highway is a Highway linking Ravenswood South in Victoria, to Mildura. North of the Victoria/New South Wales border, the highway continues north to Broken Hill, Tibooburra and the New South Wales/Queensland border as the Silver City Highway, under the standard national route shield as far...
) of the Victorian
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
regional city of Mildura
Mildura, Victoria
Mildura is a regional city in northwestern Victoria, Australia and seat of the Rural City of Mildura local government area. It is located in the Sunraysia region, and is on the banks of the Murray River. The current population is estimated at just over 30,000.Mildura is a major agricultural centre...
. The famous mining city of Broken Hill
Broken Hill, New South Wales
-Geology:Broken Hill's massive orebody, which formed about 1,800 million years ago, has proved to be among the world's largest silver-lead-zinc mineral deposits. The orebody is shaped like a boomerang plunging into the earth at its ends and outcropping in the centre. The protruding tip of the...
is 266 km to the north along the Silver City Highway
Silver City Highway
The Silver City Highway is a highway in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It runs from south to north close to the western border of New South Wales with South Australia...
.
Moorna Post Office opened on 22 February 1855 and was renamed Wentworth in 1860.
In 1876 Wentworth township was described in the following terms:
Wentworth is situated on the Darling, about half a mile from the junction, and is plainly visible from the Murray. The township is built on rising ground, and, save in very exceptional seasons, is quite out of reach of flood waters. The population is between 400 and 500. The place appears prosperous and progressive. The trade up the Darling River, and the supply of stores to the stations in the vicinity, form the life-blood of its prosperity. Wentworth possesses a custom-house – a hideous little building resembling a watch-house, and as great an eyesore as the cause of its establishment is an inconvenience and annoyance to trade. The other public buildings are a post and telegraph office, for Wentworth is on the main telegraph line to Adelaide, and a court-house and offices, which are also used for land offices. There is a resident police magistrate, Mr. Richardson... The two churches in Wentworth are buildings creditable to the town. The Roman Catholic Church is a brick structure, the Protestant Church an edifice of brick and stone... There are three or four stores of considerable size, and several hotels. The Australian Joint Stock Bank has a branch here. The river, which, opposite the town is about the width of the Murray at Echuca, is crossed by a punt.
Railways
During the late 1800s Wentworth was an important river portPort
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
; however, like many such towns, its significance faded with the development of the railways (railroads).
In 1902, the people of Wentworth were lobbying for a railway from Mildura to be built, including a bridge over the River Murray.
Floods
The town has been flooded many times by the two rivers. The most significant was in 19561956 Murray River flood
The 1956 Murray River flood involved the rising of waters in the Murray River and flooding of many towns in three states of Australia, including the towns of Colignan, Iraak, Mannum, Murray Bridge, Mildura, Nangiloc, Red Cliffs, Renmark, Wentworth and many others.The flood occurred due to higher...
, when both rivers flooded simultaneously. Local farmers, supplemented by the army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
and navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
, worked for months to build levee banks to hold the water out of the town.
Visitor attractions
Wentworth is now an important tourist outbackOutback
The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".-Overview:The outback is home to a...
destination and provides a welcome break for those travelling to or from Broken Hill. In addition to its authentic outback charm, the town offers some interesting attractions:
- PS Ruby - a restored 1907 side-wheel paddlesteamer
- The annual Great Wentworth Tractor Rally
- The Wentworth GaolWentworth GaolWentworth Gaol was an Australian prison located in Wentworth, New South Wales. It was constructed between 1879 and 1881 and operated until 1927....
The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally is a commemoration of the grey Fergie
Ferguson TE20
The Ferguson Model TE20 was a British agricultural tractor. It was Harry Ferguson's most successful design, commonly known as the Little Grey Fergie. It was manufactured from 1946 to 1956...
tractors that were used to maintain the levee banks and save the town from the 1956 Murray River flood
1956 Murray River flood
The 1956 Murray River flood involved the rising of waters in the Murray River and flooding of many towns in three states of Australia, including the towns of Colignan, Iraak, Mannum, Murray Bridge, Mildura, Nangiloc, Red Cliffs, Renmark, Wentworth and many others.The flood occurred due to higher...
.
Wentworth was a popular destination for 'pokie tour' bus rides from Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, the capital city of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, prior to the legalisation of poker (gambling) machines
Slot machine
A slot machine , informally fruit machine , the slots , poker machine or "pokies" or simply slot is a casino gambling machine with three or more reels which spin when a button is pushed...
in that state .
Sport
The town has an Australian rules footballAustralian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
team competing in the Sunraysia Football League
Sunraysia Football League
The Sunraysia Football League is an Australian Rules league based in Northwestern Victoria with clubs located in the vicinity of Mildura and Wentworth, New South Wales...
.
Golfers play at the course of the Wentworth Services Golf Club.
Gallery
Wentworth is a small border town in the far south west of the state of New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It lies at the confluence
Confluence (geography)
In geography, a confluence is the meeting of two or more bodies of water. It usually refers to the point where two streams flow together, merging into a single stream...
of Australia's two most important rivers, the Darling
Darling River
The Darling River is the third longest river in Australia, measuring from its source in northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at Wentworth, New South Wales. Including its longest contiguous tributaries it is long, making it the longest river system in Australia.The...
and the Murray
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
, the latter forming the border with the state of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
to the south. The border with the state of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
lies approximately 100 km to the west. The town of Wentworth is in the Local Government Area of the same name.
History
Named after the famous explorer and politician William Charles WentworthWilliam Wentworth
William Charles Wentworth was an Australian poet, explorer, journalist and politician, and one of the leading figures of early colonial New South Wales...
, the town is 34 km to the west (via the Calder Highway
Calder Highway
Calder Highway is a Highway linking Ravenswood South in Victoria, to Mildura. North of the Victoria/New South Wales border, the highway continues north to Broken Hill, Tibooburra and the New South Wales/Queensland border as the Silver City Highway, under the standard national route shield as far...
) of the Victorian
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
regional city of Mildura
Mildura, Victoria
Mildura is a regional city in northwestern Victoria, Australia and seat of the Rural City of Mildura local government area. It is located in the Sunraysia region, and is on the banks of the Murray River. The current population is estimated at just over 30,000.Mildura is a major agricultural centre...
. The famous mining city of Broken Hill
Broken Hill, New South Wales
-Geology:Broken Hill's massive orebody, which formed about 1,800 million years ago, has proved to be among the world's largest silver-lead-zinc mineral deposits. The orebody is shaped like a boomerang plunging into the earth at its ends and outcropping in the centre. The protruding tip of the...
is 266 km to the north along the Silver City Highway
Silver City Highway
The Silver City Highway is a highway in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It runs from south to north close to the western border of New South Wales with South Australia...
.
Moorna Post Office opened on 22 February 1855 and was renamed Wentworth in 1860.
In 1876 Wentworth township was described in the following terms:
Wentworth is situated on the Darling, about half a mile from the junction, and is plainly visible from the Murray. The township is built on rising ground, and, save in very exceptional seasons, is quite out of reach of flood waters. The population is between 400 and 500. The place appears prosperous and progressive. The trade up the Darling River, and the supply of stores to the stations in the vicinity, form the life-blood of its prosperity. Wentworth possesses a custom-house – a hideous little building resembling a watch-house, and as great an eyesore as the cause of its establishment is an inconvenience and annoyance to trade. The other public buildings are a post and telegraph office, for Wentworth is on the main telegraph line to Adelaide, and a court-house and offices, which are also used for land offices. There is a resident police magistrate, Mr. Richardson... The two churches in Wentworth are buildings creditable to the town. The Roman Catholic Church is a brick structure, the Protestant Church an edifice of brick and stone... There are three or four stores of considerable size, and several hotels. The Australian Joint Stock Bank has a branch here. The river, which, opposite the town is about the width of the Murray at Echuca, is crossed by a punt.
Railways
During the late 1800s Wentworth was an important river portPort
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
; however, like many such towns, its significance faded with the development of the railways (railroads).
In 1902, the people of Wentworth were lobbying for a railway from Mildura to be built, including a bridge over the River Murray.
Floods
The town has been flooded many times by the two rivers. The most significant was in 19561956 Murray River flood
The 1956 Murray River flood involved the rising of waters in the Murray River and flooding of many towns in three states of Australia, including the towns of Colignan, Iraak, Mannum, Murray Bridge, Mildura, Nangiloc, Red Cliffs, Renmark, Wentworth and many others.The flood occurred due to higher...
, when both rivers flooded simultaneously. Local farmers, supplemented by the army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
and navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
, worked for months to build levee banks to hold the water out of the town.
Visitor attractions
Wentworth is now an important tourist outbackOutback
The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".-Overview:The outback is home to a...
destination and provides a welcome break for those travelling to or from Broken Hill. In addition to its authentic outback charm, the town offers some interesting attractions:
- PS Ruby - a restored 1907 side-wheel paddlesteamer
- The annual Great Wentworth Tractor Rally
- The Wentworth GaolWentworth GaolWentworth Gaol was an Australian prison located in Wentworth, New South Wales. It was constructed between 1879 and 1881 and operated until 1927....
The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally is a commemoration of the grey Fergie
Ferguson TE20
The Ferguson Model TE20 was a British agricultural tractor. It was Harry Ferguson's most successful design, commonly known as the Little Grey Fergie. It was manufactured from 1946 to 1956...
tractors that were used to maintain the levee banks and save the town from the 1956 Murray River flood
1956 Murray River flood
The 1956 Murray River flood involved the rising of waters in the Murray River and flooding of many towns in three states of Australia, including the towns of Colignan, Iraak, Mannum, Murray Bridge, Mildura, Nangiloc, Red Cliffs, Renmark, Wentworth and many others.The flood occurred due to higher...
.
Wentworth was a popular destination for 'pokie tour' bus rides from Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, the capital city of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, prior to the legalisation of poker (gambling) machines
Slot machine
A slot machine , informally fruit machine , the slots , poker machine or "pokies" or simply slot is a casino gambling machine with three or more reels which spin when a button is pushed...
in that state .
Sport
The town has an Australian rules footballAustralian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
team competing in the Sunraysia Football League
Sunraysia Football League
The Sunraysia Football League is an Australian Rules league based in Northwestern Victoria with clubs located in the vicinity of Mildura and Wentworth, New South Wales...
.
Golfers play at the course of the Wentworth Services Golf Club.
Gallery
Wentworth is a small border town in the far south west of the state of New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It lies at the confluence
Confluence (geography)
In geography, a confluence is the meeting of two or more bodies of water. It usually refers to the point where two streams flow together, merging into a single stream...
of Australia's two most important rivers, the Darling
Darling River
The Darling River is the third longest river in Australia, measuring from its source in northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at Wentworth, New South Wales. Including its longest contiguous tributaries it is long, making it the longest river system in Australia.The...
and the Murray
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
, the latter forming the border with the state of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
to the south. The border with the state of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
lies approximately 100 km to the west. The town of Wentworth is in the Local Government Area of the same name.
History
Named after the famous explorer and politician William Charles WentworthWilliam Wentworth
William Charles Wentworth was an Australian poet, explorer, journalist and politician, and one of the leading figures of early colonial New South Wales...
, the town is 34 km to the west (via the Calder Highway
Calder Highway
Calder Highway is a Highway linking Ravenswood South in Victoria, to Mildura. North of the Victoria/New South Wales border, the highway continues north to Broken Hill, Tibooburra and the New South Wales/Queensland border as the Silver City Highway, under the standard national route shield as far...
) of the Victorian
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
regional city of Mildura
Mildura, Victoria
Mildura is a regional city in northwestern Victoria, Australia and seat of the Rural City of Mildura local government area. It is located in the Sunraysia region, and is on the banks of the Murray River. The current population is estimated at just over 30,000.Mildura is a major agricultural centre...
. The famous mining city of Broken Hill
Broken Hill, New South Wales
-Geology:Broken Hill's massive orebody, which formed about 1,800 million years ago, has proved to be among the world's largest silver-lead-zinc mineral deposits. The orebody is shaped like a boomerang plunging into the earth at its ends and outcropping in the centre. The protruding tip of the...
is 266 km to the north along the Silver City Highway
Silver City Highway
The Silver City Highway is a highway in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It runs from south to north close to the western border of New South Wales with South Australia...
.
Moorna Post Office opened on 22 February 1855 and was renamed Wentworth in 1860.
In 1876 Wentworth township was described in the following terms:
Wentworth is situated on the Darling, about half a mile from the junction, and is plainly visible from the Murray. The township is built on rising ground, and, save in very exceptional seasons, is quite out of reach of flood waters. The population is between 400 and 500. The place appears prosperous and progressive. The trade up the Darling River, and the supply of stores to the stations in the vicinity, form the life-blood of its prosperity. Wentworth possesses a custom-house – a hideous little building resembling a watch-house, and as great an eyesore as the cause of its establishment is an inconvenience and annoyance to trade. The other public buildings are a post and telegraph office, for Wentworth is on the main telegraph line to Adelaide, and a court-house and offices, which are also used for land offices. There is a resident police magistrate, Mr. Richardson... The two churches in Wentworth are buildings creditable to the town. The Roman Catholic Church is a brick structure, the Protestant Church an edifice of brick and stone... There are three or four stores of considerable size, and several hotels. The Australian Joint Stock Bank has a branch here. The river, which, opposite the town is about the width of the Murray at Echuca, is crossed by a punt.
Railways
During the late 1800s Wentworth was an important river portPort
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
; however, like many such towns, its significance faded with the development of the railways (railroads).
In 1902, the people of Wentworth were lobbying for a railway from Mildura to be built, including a bridge over the River Murray.
Floods
The town has been flooded many times by the two rivers. The most significant was in 19561956 Murray River flood
The 1956 Murray River flood involved the rising of waters in the Murray River and flooding of many towns in three states of Australia, including the towns of Colignan, Iraak, Mannum, Murray Bridge, Mildura, Nangiloc, Red Cliffs, Renmark, Wentworth and many others.The flood occurred due to higher...
, when both rivers flooded simultaneously. Local farmers, supplemented by the army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
and navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
, worked for months to build levee banks to hold the water out of the town.
Visitor attractions
Wentworth is now an important tourist outbackOutback
The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".-Overview:The outback is home to a...
destination and provides a welcome break for those travelling to or from Broken Hill. In addition to its authentic outback charm, the town offers some interesting attractions:
- PS Ruby - a restored 1907 side-wheel paddlesteamer
- The annual Great Wentworth Tractor Rally
- The Wentworth GaolWentworth GaolWentworth Gaol was an Australian prison located in Wentworth, New South Wales. It was constructed between 1879 and 1881 and operated until 1927....
The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally is a commemoration of the grey Fergie
Ferguson TE20
The Ferguson Model TE20 was a British agricultural tractor. It was Harry Ferguson's most successful design, commonly known as the Little Grey Fergie. It was manufactured from 1946 to 1956...
tractors that were used to maintain the levee banks and save the town from the 1956 Murray River flood
1956 Murray River flood
The 1956 Murray River flood involved the rising of waters in the Murray River and flooding of many towns in three states of Australia, including the towns of Colignan, Iraak, Mannum, Murray Bridge, Mildura, Nangiloc, Red Cliffs, Renmark, Wentworth and many others.The flood occurred due to higher...
.
Wentworth was a popular destination for 'pokie tour' bus rides from Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, the capital city of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, prior to the legalisation of poker (gambling) machines
Slot machine
A slot machine , informally fruit machine , the slots , poker machine or "pokies" or simply slot is a casino gambling machine with three or more reels which spin when a button is pushed...
in that state .
Sport
The town has an Australian rules footballAustralian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
team competing in the Sunraysia Football League
Sunraysia Football League
The Sunraysia Football League is an Australian Rules league based in Northwestern Victoria with clubs located in the vicinity of Mildura and Wentworth, New South Wales...
.
Golfers play at the course of the Wentworth Services Golf Club.