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Published: August 7th 2019
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This morning we set out on an Armidale heritage walk using the map for the Heritage Bus Tour. We decided against the bus tour because you just cannot take decent photos from a bus! Our first stop was at Central Park right opposite our apartment. The park incorporates Armidale’s War Memorial. Across the street we found St Mary’s and St Joseph’s Cathedral which is only a block alway from St Peter’s Cathedral.
Our next stop required a bit more walking to reach the Wool Wagon/McDonald Park. McDonald Park is, like the entire district, dry as a bone and the wool wagon was safely ensconced in a wire cage so neither was particularly photogenic. The Armidale School opposite is using bore water to keep its playing surfaces green so its oval was in stark contrast to McDonald Park.
Next we went searching for ‘Trelawney’ described as ‘an outstanding, late nineteenth century house, with both Victorian and Federation features’. Sounds lovely but, somehow, we missed it. Perhaps if we had been with Barney on the bus we would have seen it??
We continued our walk onto Kentucky Street where we visited the Aboriginal Cultural Centre & Keeping Place and the
New England Regional Art Museum. Both venues housed some interesting art. Further along Kentucky Street we encountered the Education Museum which we were only able to observe from outside the fence. We’re not sure if it’s ever open as there were no signs advertising its opening hours.
Taking a turn onto Faulkner Street we walked past the Old Teachers College, a heritage-listed former tertiary college that fronts onto Mossman Street. Starving hungry we walked back towards the town centre to find something for lunch. Both the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and NERAM are supposed to have cafes, BUT one was closed for no stated reason and the other is currently undergoing refurbishment!
After a quick bite to eat we went to explore the Folk Museum before it closed at 2.00pm. The museum housed many interesting old items across several rooms. Back out on the street we walked around the corner to photograph the Town Hall before returning to the apartment to put our feet up for a bit.
Later on we drove to Armidale Railway Station. Included on the Heritage Bus Tour map we decided it was a little too far away to walk to. The station is
a lovely old building that still operates as Armidale’s railway station. It is co-located with the Armidale Railway Station Museum. Although closed (it only opens between 11.00am and 12.30pm) we were able to see quite a few items (mainly hand pump tricycles) that are stored outside.
From the railway station we drove out to Saumarez Homestead. Although all the material we have seen about the homestead indicates that it is closed until the 1st of September we decided to drive out to see if we could get into the grounds at least to photograph the exterior of the homestead. Ha, ha, the gate was closed and there was no view of the homestead from the gate.
We drove back towards the town and turned into the Armidale Bicentennial Arboretum. The park features a water feature with a waterfall that is activated by pushing a button. We’re guessing this might be some sort of a drought measure to reduce the evaporation of water from the water feature?? At least we have seen a waterfall, even if it was man made!!
On the way back to the apartment we bought a bag of ice to top up the esky
since we are back on the road again tomorrow. With the ice stowed in the freezer until tomorrow morning, we walked back into the town centre to look at and photograph a few more of the lovely old buildings: the Post Office and the Court House opposite, the Imperial Hotel, a classic old Art Deco building (Tattersalls Hotel), Richardson’s and the New England Hotel.
Back to the White Bull for dinner. When you’re on a good thing stick to it?! It was packed again on Wednesday night. They certainly do a roaring trade.
Another game of cards back at the apartment and another win for the girls. We certainly seem to be having a pretty good run of luck ... at the moment.
Steps: 17,993 (13.34kms)
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