Historical Society - early coach travel from Tamworth to Bingara

There is not a lot happening with the society at present but we are hoping to have a Christmas Market in December.  We just hope that there are not too many restrictions to contend with!  There should be more information after this week’s meeting.

Although life seems quiet the research goes on and someone has handed me a piece, originally from Trove, recording a trip from Tamworth to Bingara in the early days of coach travel to this area.

The journey begins at 3am and it seems the route follows near the present day although skirting around hills.  Mr Burdekin’s run near Attunga is mentioned – he is a relative of the Barraba family.

The old hotel, on the northern side of the river in Manilla, is mentioned as a spot for some breakfast before continuing on to Barraba.  The writer was obviously not very taken with our town describing it as an apology for a town.  In 1873 there was McKid’s shop, two hotels, a post office and a few houses.  Apparently Mrs Cameron and her daughter served them a nice lunch.

The trip then moved on to Cobbadah, safely crossing Sheep Station Creek before delivering the mail to Bridger’s Hotel and heading north across Cobbadah Creek and on to Oakey Creek where the “mail stables” were – there is still a house there and also the grave of James Pike, who died there when his wagon crushed him while he slept under it in the wet weather.

The writer also mentions, Mr Capel and his lost shepherd.  The poor man and his sheep were found unharmed after 24 hours.  Piedmont Woolshed, the home of John Capel and his family, was only a short distance from the Mail Stables.

The coach continued on to Bingara down the Devil’s Pinch and into Bingara.  This story reminds me of a letter by my great, great, grandmother when she travelled up to Barraba Station from the Hunter Valley 15 years before there was a coach from Tamworth to Warialda and indeed nothing ‘permanent’ north of the Hunter Valley.  This was a big journey for a young lady in those days.

Hopefully I will find Jane’s letter before next week and share it with you.