s
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I
A T L A S OF AUSTRALIA—1886.
WAXGETT. Walgott, oue of tlie most importnut ûommercial
centrus in the iiorchoru part of the colony, is situated on the left bunk
of the Namoi Miver, near its junction »vith the Burwon, and lies about
140 miles east from Hourke. The extensive plains which siin'ound
the town on nil sides, are principally occupied for psatoifll and grazing
purijosos. The opposite banks of the Barwon and Namoi are hero
connected by snbatnutially-built bridges. Large numbers of stock
from the northern stations pass through Walgett for the southern
markets. Owing to the uncei-tainty in regard to Tolume of the rivers
Barwon and Namoi in this part of their coiu'se, they are little used as
moans of conveyance. Walgett suffers somewhat on account of its
isolated position with regard to other commercial ceul
rres, but doubtless,
at no distant date, railway extension will do mnch t
of this obstacle to progress, and eventually rem
The rainfall amounts to about 1» inches anmially.
and healthy. The heat is frequently very greai
during the remainder of tha year the weather is
ovG it altogether.
The climate is dry
i in summer, but
ple»8aut. Popu-
•WALLABADAH.—Wallaliadah lies on the north-western
slope of the Liverpool Range, near the edge of the f^iverpool Plains.
ITie township is situated on the Quirindi Creek, one of the tributaries
of the Upper Namoi, and is distant, in an easterly direction, about 10
miles from Quirindi. The settlers in the surrounding district are
chiefly engaged in farming and rearing stock. The land is suited to
the growth of wheat and other cereals. Population, 172.
WALLENDBEEN.—WHllendbeen is a township on the Great
Southern Bailway Line, and lies about 12 miles north-ea-st fi'om Cootamundra.
The surrounding country is agricultural and pastoral in
character, and a considerable amoimt of settlement has taken place.
The area placed under cultivation is rapidly increasing, and wheat
and other cereals are largely produced, ilany of the conditional
purchasers devote their attention to grazing. Population, about 500.
WALLERAWANG.—Wallcrawang is situated near the sonrce
of Cox's River, and lies about 40 miles east from Bathurst. The
Great Western Railway Line passes through
Sydney, from which it is distant about 105 m
branches off to the north at this point. C
neighbourhood ; gold, iron, cobalt, manganese, shale, and
are also among its products. Its position, near the culminating line
of the Southern Tableland, at an elevation approaching 8,000 feet,
rendei-s the climate bracing and cool. Population, 2,307,
:helÍDetoMudgee
I abundant in the
le, and limestone.
WAILSEND. -Wallsend, a prominent mining to
ouch side of the valley of the Hunter, is situated about 8
rom Newcastle, The coal deposits of the uaighbourhood an
,argH quantities are foi-warded to Newcastle for shipment
ir export to other countries. Several industries have ar
icinity, and add to its prosperity. Population, l,05i),
WAKiATAH.—Wni-atah, one of the towns of the H
,'alley, is situated about 4 miles north-west from Newc
vhicli it has ready communication by i " " •
extensive,
io Sydney,
kno\vn chiol
aposits of coal found in the neighbourhood. M
large number of the residents. Building stoni
le industries of the place are works foi- sme'
with the extensive
ag for coal employs
Various fruits, including gi-apes a inges, grow readily. Populaand
the greater pii
fi-equently reaches flO" Fai
spring and autumn, the c)
pleasant. Population, 400.
WATTLE FtAT.—A
orth froiu Bathurst, and f
las declined of late years,
ial and quartz w
Oaky Creek, about ¿0 miles i
from Sofala. Tliis gold-field
ment is supported by the alln^
The surrounding country is o:
character, and thickly
uated D 3 left bank of the
ing plains
WAK.DELI..—'I'his township is situated on the Richmond
River, about 10 miles above Ballina. The district is well known for
its agricultural capabilities. Jlaixe and sugar-cane are extensively
grown. Timber-cutting ranks among the industries of the neighbonrhood.
Population, 173,
WAH.IALDA.—Warialda is situated on a small oreek of the
same name, a tributary of the Gwydir, about 30 miles north-west from
Inrerell. Much of tho surronnding countrj- is of a very tine quality,
and well suited to .sheep-farming. Gold has been found in the district.
The annual rainfall amounts to about 23 inches. Population,
2(i8.
WAE.K'WOE.TH.—.\ small township on the Wollombi Brook,
near its confluence with the Hunter River, about 10 miles west from
Singleton, The country in the vicinity is occupied for pastoral and
agricultural ijnrposes. The land is of a fertile character, and produces
maize, wheat, barley, and potatoes. Soil and climate favour the
gi'owth of the grape. Population, about 50,
WARREN. -Warren, which is one of the oldest ttiwnships ..n
the plains in the interior, is situated on the left bank of tho .Maccpmrie
River, about 12 mOes north-ea.st from Nevertire, a station on the Great
Western Railway Line. A large proportion of the surrounding
countrj- is fertile, but owing to an insutHcient rainfall, which seldom
exceeds 20 inches annually, attempt« at agriculture are necessarily
limited. The land is chiefly occupied for jiastoral pui-poses. During
WEE WAA.—Wee Waa i
Namoi River, about 22 milos west-north-west froi
about SO miles east-south-cast from Walgett. The s
are occupied principally as sheep-runs. During summer the heat is
frequently very excessive; the I'ainfall throughout the district is
generally of an insufficient chai-acter, in some parts scarcely reaching
12 inches annually. The pi-incipal product is wool. Population,
about 150.
WELLINGROVE. -Wellingrove is situated near tho sonrce
of a small stream of the same najne, which flows into the Severn River,
and liesabout 11 miles north-west from Glen Innos. The sun'ounding
country is to a large extent pastoral in chai-acter; considerable areas
are occupied by settlers, many of whom have tried farming with
success. Tin and copper are found in the neighbourhood. The
raijifall varies between 25 and 40 inches annually throughout the
district. Tlie climate, which is influenced by elevation, is pleasant
and healthy. Population, 5-1-7.
WEtlilNGTON.—Wellington, a town of considerable importance
on the Great Western Railway Line, is situated at the
junction of the Bell and Macquarie Rivers. It possesses an elevation
of neariy 1,000 feet above sea-level, a fact dne to its position on tho
western margin of the Southern Tableland. Steep hills bound it on
two sides, and on every hand there is evidence of prosperity, in well
cultivated fields and comfortable homesteads. In the more fertile
valleys, wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, and tobacco are grown ; tho
lighter soils foi-m pastures for largo flocks of sheep. Quartz reefs
occur in the neighbourhood ; these are worked for tho gold which
they contain. On the opposite side of the Macquarie River, which is
here spanned by a very fine railway bridge, is the small tomiship of
Montefiores, AbontO miles south from Wellington, on the right bank
of the Hell River, in a limestone foi
attaches an intei-est apart from the
y were discovei'ed by
Sir Thomas Mitchell about the yea
hin them, stalagmite
and stalactite columns of
lud glittering under
an artificial light like ii
I entrance the beholder.
remains, including those c
I wombats which diiler fi'Oi
I show unmistakably that a
assive proportions, n
imei-able diamonds, meet the eye, a
the Breccia Cave were found van<
an ancient dog, gigantic kangaroos, a
those of the present time. These fos)
•ry close artinity exists between the fan
h now has a place in Austnvlia. 'I
country is influenced by
of the past and that whicl
rainfall in the surrounding c
character, and varies betwi
climate, which is healthy,
pleasant during the remain
1,400.
) and 30 inches
• hot in summer,
lonths of the vei
WENTWORTH. -VVentwoi
interior, is situated on the Darling
Murray. With the exception of Si
recent date, it occupies a position fr
Mew South Wales. The
^veral hundreds of milei
inally.
t genial
Popula
.3 junction with the
is coinpai-ntively of
1 any Dther tomi in
itrictly pastoral, producing only saltbnsh
and other shrub-growths, 'I'he soil, to a larg e extent, is
character. and in many places very fertile, bir t owing to
ciency of the rainfall, which, c, n the vast plain]: extending
the Murr ay, seldom amounts , to 15 inches annually, .
without ir leans of irrigation, is impossible. Around the to»
have been made to utilise the« 'ater of the river forirrigatio
but the ai 'oas operated upon ar every limited, ai id scarcely f
of what i!« possible in this dii• ection. The g•ie at iincerta
exists in regai-d to the navigation of the rivî(r s of the ii
h to retard the jirogress of tow:
«ith the e V South Wales, Vict
and South J strnlip
of considerable importance
100» Fahr. Population, 7l
WHEEO.—Wheeo is
which empties its waters ii
miles north-west from Goul
vated, and produces when
flowers grow readily. Thi
iituated on a su
:o the Crookw.
N E W SOUTH WALES.
ted about < e mile ii
< the centre
, wheat, and
nel u ding the
it bank of t
WICKHAM. -Wickha
Newcastle. It is a town of c
of a large number of manufacturing industries. It contains copper
works, an engineering establishment, soap works, sawmills, a cordial
factory, wool-washing works, and brewery. Several coal-seams in the
vicinity are worked, and furnish employment to a large number of
minors. Population, 1,080,
WILBERFORCE.-- Tliis small township is situated near the
left bank of the Uawkesbui-y River, about 5 miles north from
Windsor. The flat lands on the banks of the river are alluvial in
character, and well known for their richness. Mais
potatoes are among the principal products. Fruits,
grape nnd orango, grow readily. Population, 350,
WIICANN'IA.-Wilcannia, the commercial ce
mense ext-entof pastoral country, is situated on the rig
Darling River, about 200 miles below Bonrke. The plains, in this
part of the interior, ai-e of a very dry character; sheep thrive well on
the saltbush, cotton-bush, and other shrubs, which constitute the principal
vegetation fonud on their surface. Stock ti-avelling from
Queensland to the southern markets cross the river here. Trading
steamei-s call for the purpose of receiving and discharging cargo. It
is the enirepol for the mineral productions of the Barrier and Grey
Ranges. Wilcannia, which is of comparatively recent origin, has been
retarded in its progress by its isolated position, but with the completion
in the future of tho pi-oposed railway line from Orange by way of
Forbes, it will at once rise into considerable importance. The rainfall
is small, amounting to about 10 inches annually, and in some
parts of the district, it is found t-o be very much less. The climate is
exceedingly hot in summer, but during tho remainder of the year it is
genial and pleasant. Population, 1,424.
W I N D E T B R . —Windeyer is a small viUage situated at the
junction of tha Moroo and Guigong Creeks, small tributaries of the
Cudgegong River, and lies about IG miles south from Mudgee. The
surrounding country, in many parts, is highly auriferous, Populat
1, 50.
WINDSOR.—Windsor is situated on the right bank of the
Uawkesbury River, and lies about 34 miles north-west from Sydney.
Settlement on tho alluvial tracts, which line the banks of the river in
this part, began at an eariy date in the history of New South Wales.
The soil in these flat lands is well known for its richness, and is seldom
surpassed for productive capability. The district is extremely liable
to Hoods, and to the effect of these, through the long ages of the past,
is due the fertile character of the river lands. It is recorded that,
during one flood, a rise of 97 feet took place in the vicinity; in 1807,
the river i-ose 03 feet above its usual level. Maize ranks among tho
principal products. Immense crops are frequently obtained, 100
bushels to the acre being known. T'he town, which is situated on a
hill, contains some very fine sub.stantial buildings. A branch from
Blacktown, on the Great Western Railway Line, connects it witii the
metropolis, and provides ready means of communication. The i-ainfall
amounts to about 34 inches annually. The heat during summer
is oppressive, frequently reaching 00° and 100». The climate is
regarded as healthy. Population, 2,000.
WINGEN.—This township occupies a position on the southern
slope of the Liverpool Range, at an elevation of about 1,000 feet above
the level of the sea, and is situated on the Kingdom Ponds Oi'eek,
a tributary of the Hunter River, about 10 milos north from Scone.
The Great Northern Railway Lino, which passes through it, connects
it with Newcastle- Much of tho surrounding country is rugged and
mountainous, and is known to possess considerable mineral resources.
Coal and shale have been found. Within two miles of the township
is a burning mountain called Mount Wiugen. It is generally
supposed that a seam of coal has become ignited, a.s there are no
evidences of a volcanic nature connected with tho combustion. More
interest has centred around this phenomenon, on account of the fact
that it is the nearest approach to an active volcano yot discovered in
Australia. The agricultural land in the vicinity has become settled
upon, and produces wheat, and other cereals. The rainfall amounts
to about 25 inches annually. Population, 103.
WINGHAM.—Wingham is situated on tho left bank of the
Manning River, at the head of navigation, near the junction with
it of Pah])00 Creek, about 8 miles above Taree. The surrounding
disti-ict is noted for the fertility of its soil, and produces wheat,
maixe, sugar-cane, barley, oats, and tobacco. Cedar, now so scarce
in most parts of the colony where it was formerly abundant, is
obtained in tho brush-lands which line tho banks of many of the
small tributaries of tho Upi>er Manning, and is shipped to Sydney.
foi
of the lane
in the back country,
ipply of good timber, and
o roaring stock. Extensive forests a
men. Gold lias been found in small quantities in the district; there
are also evidences of the existence of other metals, bat up to the
present these discoveries have not led to any practical resiilts. The
town possesses several good substantial buildings, and is the centre of
much commercial activity. Tho rainfall varies between 30 inches iu
the vicinity of tho sea to about 30 inches inland. Droughts occaaionally
;he Wollombi
a Range,
Though
visit the district. Population, 323,
WOLLOMBI.—This township is situated o
Brook, a tributary of the Hunter, about 30 miles
Maitland. The adjoining country is of a very fertile description,
and is occupied by numerous settlers for farming and rearing stock.
Among the products are wheat, maize, oats, and tobacco. Various
kinds of fruit, including the orange, grow well. Floods occur sometimes
as in other parts of the valley of the Hunter, and frequently do
much damage to property nnd crops. Population, 211,
WOIIONGONG.—Wollongong, the principal town on the
south coast of New South Wales, is situated on a small Indentation of
the sea, about 45 miles from Sydney. Behind it, and s
somewhat precipitous face towards the east, is the Illawan
Mounts Keira and Kembla being especially prominent,
within a district remarkably fertile, Wollongong owes much of its
prosperity to the coal which is obtained in tho neighbouring range.
This coal is of a very fine quality, and is in demand among tho various
steamship companies. Dairy-farming occupies a prominent position
in connection \vith land. The principal agricultural products are hay,
potatoes, wheat, barley, and oats. Extensive improvements iiave
boon made in the port, and an artificial basin, which is completely
sheltered from storms, has been excavated. The rainfall throughout
the distinct is abundant, and the grass plentiful. Summer's heat
is tempered by the north-east winds which then prevail; during the
remaining months of the year, the climate is cool and pleasant. There
are many very fine buildings in Wollongong. Po))ulation, 1,635.
WOLUMLA.—Wolumla is situated about 7 miles north-west
from Merimbula, and is the centre of a district of risi
The surrounding country has long been settled upon; i
a very fertile ohai'acter, and produces wheat, barley, oats, roaize, and
potatoes abundantly. To tho west-south-west rises Wolumla Peak, a
conspicuous mountain which attains a considerable elevation, and
forms a prominent and useful landmark to small vessels on tho coast.
Mnch of tha land is undulating, in other parts it spreads out into
broad, rich, alluvial fiats. The well-grassed slopes form pasturegrounds
for numerous herds. Dairy-fanning and rearing stock receive
much attention. Gold, copper, and tin have been found in tho
district. Population, 352.
WOMBAT.-This small village i
Creek, about 10 miles south from Yonnf
is agricultural and ¡mstoi-al in chai-acter.
are produced. Population, 310.
WOODBTIRN.—Woodburn is
about 30 miles from the heads, and is
g importance,
is generally of
situated on the Wombat
Large
itnated on the Richmond Kiver,
luiTounded by country in which
a considerable amount of settlement has taken place. The laud on the
banks of this part of the river is alluvial in character, and very fertile.
Sugar-cane and maize are chiefly grown. There are several mills for
the manufacture of sugar. Largo areas are devoted to the rearing of
stock. Population, 109.
WOODHOTTSELEE.-This township is situated about 5 miles
west from Mount Eobbs, and lies about 17 miles north-north-west
from Goulburn. Owing to its proximity to the Great Dividing Range,
it possesses a considerable amount of elevation. Much of the adjoining
country is of a fertile character, and is occupied for grazing and
faiTuing, Population, 200.
WOONOONA. — Woonoona owes its existence in a great
measure to the success which has attended the mining industry in the
district of Illawarra. The township is situated near the coast, about
6 miles north fi'om Wollongong. The country around is hilly, and in
the background rises abruptly the Illawai'ra Range, The locality is
well known for its rich coal-seams, the working of which employs
a large number of miners. Tho land is fertile, and well suited to the
growth of wheat, maixe, and potatoes. Dairy-fai-ming is followed by
iber of the
WTALDRA.—1
ighbourhood. Popul
illage is situated on the banks of the
which find their way ultimately into the
ibout 14 miles north from Mudgee. It
ing I tho gold-field was known under the
is still obtained, but not in such lai^e
Cooyal Creek, the wat€
Macquarie River, and
arose iu connection wit
name of Home Rule,
(|UBntitioa as during the eariy "rushes."
suited to gracing and sheep-farming. Somi
,0 the
> country generally is
the settlers, attracted
to
lity by the discovery of gold, have turned their at
:ultivation, and tho district is beginning to show evides
jwed prosperity. Population, 408.
! • r i