Moorook - Wentworth ~ Annabranch Shearing Shed

Annabranch Shearing Shed ~ circ 1860

 Just a slight deviation from the Murray River, but still  a wonderful drive and one well worth spending the time on doing,

We did this trip a couple of years ago, when we were here, and took the road down past Lake Victoria and Rufus River, but decided to take a bit of a different route this time, when we heard of an old Shearing Shed along the track. (Oh no!!! not another shearing shed???)

There’s a back road from Renmark to Wentworth, which actually bypasses the Fruit Fly block at Yamba, but take one through some wonderful ‘outback country’ and continues on via Perry Sand Dunes, a place we have been before, but is just almost irresistible to any photographer.

Following the GPS, which has thus far proved to be fairly reliable, took us down a side road, which proved to be almost a dead end and onto private property.  We had heard, from friends Phil and Sue, that somewhere in the area, towards the Dunes was another old Shearing Shed.

Suggesting that we pull into a house and ask directions, we spoke to this lovely lady, who just happened to be the wife of the owner of the shed.  After finding out that her husband and son where down at the shed, she kindly gave us permission to go in and see the shed.

Getting back in the car, we travelled down the road a few kilometres, we came across some sheep being mustered and there off to the right was this wonderful old shed.

Mustering the Sheep

Sheep In The Yards

Lambs Feeding

The Stands

The Clip

The Count - The Board with the Shearers Numbers For the Day On The Board

The Stands

The Anabranch Shearing shed dates back to the 1860’s and is in it’s original state.  Had a great chat, with the owner Greg and his son Craig, who kindly gave us a wonderful history lesson and a guided tour of the station.  The old Shearers quarters are now hired out to fishermen and groups on the odd occasion, offering the absolute basics, but certainly enough for that week or so of fishing.  These sheds are so full of character and history, they are wonderful to visit. The smells of the lanolin are still distinct and all just add to the atmosphere of the environment.  Each is different in its own right and Annabranch was originally a 24 machine stand shed and now operates on 12 electric stands.  Lots of work needs to be done to the shed to help it last another 100 years.  lets hope they get the money to do it.

Shearer's Quarters

Fishing Hut

Old Quarters Door

A Place To Sit

Old Red Gum On The Banks Of The Murray Outside The Door of the Shearers Quarters

Annabranch Creek Old Bridge

After enjoying another picnic lunch by the banks of Annabranch Creek, which is tributary of the Murray River, we headed off towards Perry Sand Dunes..........


Just follow us as we head on down the road to Perry Sand Dunes