Wentworth is an attractive old town on the Murray-Darling river junction.

Location: 1047 km west of Sydney via the Great, Mid Western and Sturt Highways and 37 m above sea-level.

Events: Wentworth Show and Gymkhana is held in August and a street party in December.

Wentworth's history is inseparable from its position where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet. The world's fourth-largest river system it drains one-fifth of Australia. Explorer Charles Sturt arrived at the junction in 1830 and identified the Darling as "a new and beautiful stream coming apparently from the north". He weighed anchor opposite a tree which he marked. This tree, known as Sturt's Tree, still retains his imprint and is located by the riverbank in Willow Bend Caravan Park at the southern end of Darling St. There is an explanatory plaque.

The first houses at present-day Wentworth appeared c.1851. The future of the town was determined when William Randell's river steamer Mary Ann sailed from Mannum near Adelaide down the Murray past the Darling junction. The town soon became an important and commercially influential river port at the centre of the NSW, Victorian and South Australian river trade and, effectively, the capital of the district. Much of the wool clip of south-western NSW found its way via bullock, donkey and camel wagon to Wentworth. A wharf was erected by 1860. It was dismantled in 1982 but a similar red gum wharf was built in its place. The decline of the river trade as the railway expanded, and the development of Mildura, halted the town's expansion. However it remained a service centre to the surrounding pastoral district and a farm irrigation scheme. Today wool and fruit remain at the centre of the local economy.

Those wishing to have a good look at the river junction can access a viewing tower at Junction Park. Turn left off Cadell St as you head west and turn into Alice St, following it to the riverbank. To see Lock Number 10 and Weir (built in 1929) go all the way to the end of Cadell St where there is also a boat ramp. Opposite is the cemetery. The river system is ideal for power boating, fishing, rowing, waterskiing and houseboats (available for hire locally).

You can take a first-hand look at the features of the river system by taking a two-hour cruise on the MV Loyalty, built at Goolwa in 1914. It is the oldest propellor-driven riverboat operating in Australia today, The Loyalty was used as a milk boat until it became a passenger vehicle in the 1950s, tel: (03) 5027 3330 or 019-331192. It departs at 1.45 every day bar Saturday from the rear of the Wentworth Services Club car park off Darling St.

Historic buildings: Wentworth has numerous buildings of historic interest. These include the old Wentworth Gaol, considered the best example of a small Victorian gaol in NSW. It was built from 1879-1891 of a million locally-made bricks with bluestone trim from Victoria and slate brought from Wales as ship's ballast.�� St John's Church of England was erected in 1871 of stone and mud mortar with bricks around the edges. It was the first church to be built on the Darling. Next door to the Anglican Church is Wentworth State School, some of its buildings dating back to 1860. Also of historical interest in Darling Street are the post office, the 1885 water tower (prefabricated in Scotland), the old customs officer's house and Wentworth Courthouse (1879), a brick building with timber verandahs. The old courthouse building, a slab cottage, is located in Fotherby Park, just over the Darling River Bridge. �� Based at the park is the paddlesteamer Ruby, near the junction of the Darling River and Tuckers Creek. Built in 1907, it was one of the last steamboats engaged in the passenger and cargo trade. Ruby is used for regular sightseeing cruises up and down the Murray from Wentworth.

Aboriginal Heritage: Wentworth has a number of historic sites associated with the former occupation of the land by the Barkindji people, the largest tribe in NSW. The best way to see these is through Harry Nanya Tours, an Aboriginal-owned and operated eco-tourist venture which offers six different tours. The tours take in the river junction, Lake Victoria, Lake Mungo, the Pioneer Museum, Scotia Sanctuary, the river system, canoe trees, middens, native bush plants, local wildlife, performances by Barkindji dancers, examples of bushtucker and an historical view from the Aboriginal perspective, including insight into the impact of white settlement. Harry Nanya Tours are located at Shop 10, Sandwych St, tel: (03) 5027 2076.

If you cross the bridge to the southern side of Tuckers Creek and take the road to the hospital on your immediate right you can park your car and walk across to the northern bank of the Murray where there is a canoe tree - one in which a section of bark has been removed for the construction of an Aboriginal canoe.

Orange World and Australian Inland Botanical Gardens

Almost directly opposite is Orange World where you can take a tractor train tour through their orange, mandarin, grapefruit, lemon and avocado orchards. It then returns to their packing centre and nursery where there is an informative talk about how to grow citrus at home, how to test fruit in the shops and a look at their own processing procedures. The tour takes about an hour and operates twice daily every day but Saturday. For further information phone (03) 5023 5197. Orange World is situated on the corner of the highway and River Rd. Turn into the latter and it will lead you to the Australian Inland Botanical Gardens (well signposted), open from 10-4 every day except Saturday. Return to the highway and follow it to the small township of Buronga. From here head east along the Sturt Highway.

Confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers

Lake Nearie and Mungo National Park

58 km north, off the Silver City Highway, is Lake Nearie where there is a nature reserve with plenty of birdlife and macropods. This road will take you on to Broken Hill. Wentworth is also a good jumping-off point for Mungo National Park. There are two routes. Head east along the Silver City Highway. Just before you reach the outskirts of Buronga turn left into Arumpo Rd (unsealed) and follow the signposts. Alternatively you can take one of two turnoffs from the Wentworth-Poonacrie road.

Scotia Sanctuary

Scotia Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve situated in the arid outback of far western New South Wales. Amidst the mallee sand dunes are a range of birds, mammals and reptiles. The reserve is ideal for bushwalking, 4WD tours, bird- and animal-watching and photography. You can arrive by car, coach or air and there are guided and self-guided drive/walk tours, nocturnal tours and scientific survey tours with special options for schools, tertiary groups, photographers, natural history groups, birdwatchers and bushwalkers. Accommodation is available at the homestead, the shearers' quarters or you can just camp out. Ring (03) 5027 1200 for further information.