Gilgandra, town in New South Wales, Australia
Gilgandra is a small town on the banks of the Castlereagh River in New South Wales, positioned roughly halfway between Melbourne and Brisbane. The town is known for its windmills, with over 360 once dotting the landscape - today visitors can still see some of these historic structures along the Windmill Walk, a scenic trail that runs through tree-lined streets beside the river.
The town played an important role in Australian history through the famous Coo-ee March of 1915, when 35 men marched to Sydney to recruit others for the First World War. This historic march is honored today at the Coo-ee Heritage Centre and through a bronze sculpture of the Coo-ee Digger, which preserves the memory of those brave men.
The name Gilgandra comes from the Wiradjuri language and means waterhole. The town preserves the heritage of Aboriginal people and early settlers through its Heritage Centre, where visitors can learn the stories that shaped the community.
The town sits at a crossroads of three major highways and is easily accessible, roughly five and a half hours from Sydney or a short rental car drive from Dubbo airport. The Coo-ee Heritage Centre provides information about main sites, and the Gilgandra Rural Museum displays farming history at a relaxed pace suitable for a leisurely visit.
The Castlereagh River has a fascinating section known as the upside down part that often surprises visitors. Siding Spring Observatory lies just a short drive away and offers a remarkable stargazing experience with its clear night sky conditions for visitors of all ages.
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