mercredi 2 novembre 2011

Holiday At Eugowra

By Anton Maverick


Eugowra was the scene of Australia's largest bushranger theft, when the Gold Escort en route to Bathurst, was held up and robbed of approximately fourteen thousand pounds. That was in 1862. In the current day's cash, it equates to about eight million dollars. Eugowra sat in the heart of the bushranger country, which in the 1860's, was pioneering sheep and wheat farming country.

Today, there's nothing special about Eugowra. It was and still is a tired tiny town in the middle of some prime sheep and wheat country and like many Australian agricultural towns, it is in a condition of decline. It is worth visiting though, to get an understanding of the country that spawned many of the bushrangers in the 1860's, but also to head to the site of the robbery.

While there were many giant sheep stations in the area, there were also many small holders or 'cockatoo farmers ' trying to scratch a living against some pretty steep chances. Many bushrangers weren't in the profession by choice, but were often goaded by an antagonistic constabulary, into committing acts which under standard circumstances, they would not have done. This is something to ponder while driving thru this otherwise standard country in your Campervan Hire Australia transport.

Eugowra has a tiny museum which houses much colonial mementos, including the pistol used by Johnny Gilbert in the Eugowra Gold Escort Robbery. This now famous event was masterminded by the scandalous Frank Gardiner, who was constantly stressed by Police at the time. Other members of his gang were also treated in a like manner, while 2 them were indeed, villains.

Descendants of the first Eugowra settlers are still there and are pleased with their heritage and are glad to talk. So drop in and visit and become familia with part of Australia's heritage that was definitely not pretty or old fashioned, but rivetingly engaging. Stop off at the Grand Hotel, still the center of the town and talk with the locals.




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