If you are in Narrabri travel east along the Kamilaroi Highway 60km to Boggabri to start this trip into Boggabri’s past.
Towering over the Kamilaroi Highway 5km before Boggabri, this striking rock face has been known by many names over the years. Local Aboriginals knew it as ‘Cooloobindi’ or ‘Gagabaayindaay‘, whilst it was known as ‘Bullaballakit’ in the era when Sir Thomas Mitchell was exploring the Namoi Valley. In Cobb and Co coach days, it was known as ‘The Rock’ and now it goes by ‘Gins Leap‘.
The widely accepted origins of the current name follow the tragic death of a pair of ill-fated young Aboriginal lovers, a modern day Romeo and Juliet. Today, Gin’s leap stands as a silent sentinel over the grave sites to of four people. There is a picnic area and interpretive sign at the site where visitors can learn more about this iconic site.
Learn about agriculture through the ages at the Boggabri Tractor Shed. Hosting an extensive collection of vintage tractors and machinery, the knowledgeable volunteers will take you on a tour through history explaining how the different machines were used.
This fascinating time piece found in Boggabri’s second main street, Brent St, traces Boggabri’s evolution. With three main streets and the town’s relocation due to flood, Boggabri is a truly dynamic town. The Boggabri Historical Museum complex houses exhibits of precious memorabilia donated by Boggabri’s residents, past and present. The museum is open Saturday mornings or by appointment.
Stop for lunch at one of the charming establishments along the main street, and explore the locally run stores.
Take an afternoon stroll around Boggabri’s self-walk Heritage Trail which reveals many interesting highlights of the town’s progress through history since its early beginnings. A brochure is available from the Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre or the Museum in Brent St.
Before returning to Narrabri take a slight detour to local landmarks Barbers Lagoon and Barbers Pinnacle. Located on the Manilla Road, these two landmarks are found just north of Boggabri. They take their names from George “The Barber” Clark, the runaway convict who inhabited this area from 1826 to 1831. Clark has been sentenced to farm work in Singleton in 1925, following an armed robbery conviction. He later escaped and lived in the North West with the Kamilaroi people, who seem to have regarded him as one of their own returned from the dead.
As you return to Narrabri for the evening stop in for a delicious pub meal at the century old Railway Hotel Baan Baa.