Trip to Tenterfield - March 2016

Tenterfield, NSW is a township about 500 kms to the southwest of Gympie, and just over the border from Queensland. This time of year is a wonderful time to visit as it has a cooler climate and the beautiful autumn colours of the parks and gardens are everywhere to be seen.

As a birthday present I was taken to Tenterfield for a round of golf.  The Tenterfield Golf Course is renowned among golfing circles as one of the finest country courses in Australia - undulating fairways and bentgrass greens.  Anyway the Fairways Lodge is situated beside the Golf Course where Dave and I stayed for a couple of days.  We wined and dined, and enjoyed all the birdlife when I wasn't I hacking around the course.  Dave drove the cart and was the perfect caddie.

While we were there we had a little look around town and the surrounds.  Geographically the town is  set in the granite highlands, and the place abounds with rocks and boulders of many shapes and sizes.

HISTORICAL, POLITICAL and CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

According to the visitors information centre - Tenterfield is one of the country's most significant historical areas.  Known as the "Birthplace of our Nation' - Sir Henry Parkes delivered his famous Federation Speech in the Tenterfield School of Arts in 1889, which ultimately led to the Federation of all Australian States in 1901.  The preservation of a number of landmark buildings gives the township of Tenterfield a 'Federation' feel.


The main drag, Rouse St also houses the electoral office of Barnaby Joyce (current Australian Deputy Prime Minister).  The place and area appear to be well cared for and maintained municipally.

There is also a motel in town named after Peter Allen, the gay entertainer.  Peter Allen who made it big in Hollywood was born in the Tenterfield Hospital and grew up in the district.He is probably best remembered for " I still call Australia home" and the "Tenterfield Saddler" and "I go to Rio".

Rouse St

Another claim to fame for the town is that of the light horseman Major JF Thomas who came from the area. Major Thomas earned world fame at the South African War  in 1902 by  defending Harry "the Breaker" Morant.  This was the last time an Australian soldier was tried by a British Court Martial.

I attempted to take a panoramic view of the national parks and various landmarks.  Instead ...

A view of Tenterfield from Mt MacKenzie

For the train tragics, an absolute paradise of unique railway memorabilia.

Railway Museum

What the brochures omit to say is that all the fallen leaves camouflage your ball on the thick cushions of couch grass.  Sound like a real golfers whinge???

Moi!

10 th hole - note the boulder, one of the many round the course.

Alas, boulders of greater size were located around the course so the trials of golfers were just as many as if they were bunkers or dams!

Had a great game really.