One of the drives through part of the Sturt National Park is “The Gorge Loop”, a total of about 110km almost entirely on gravel but all in excellent condition.
The National Park’s guide takes you in an anti-clockwise direction so we decided to follow it that way around. Leaving Tibooburra on the Wanaaring road you travel about 20km to the turn off and almost immediately come to the outdoor Pastoral Museum, part of Mount Wood Station.
The Gorge Loop004
The Gorge Loop007 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop005 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop012 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop011
The Gorge Loop016 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop024
The Gorge Loop019 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop020 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop023A
The Gorge Loop023
The Gorge Loop022
The shearing shed is in very good condition having last been used in the 1970s.
The Gorge Loop026 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop042 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop043 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop044 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop045 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop047 2017 05 23
An interesting feature is the loading ramp which was dug into the ground to allow bales to be rolled onto trucks without any lifting equipment being needed.
The Gorge Loop048 2017 05 23
Mt Wood Wool loading pit
A replacement suspension bridge connects the shed area to the quarters while the original bridge lies in the creek.
The Gorge Loop028 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop030 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop031 2017 05 23
The shearer’s quarters are very complete and have both old and renovated areas to allow for accommodation,
The Gorge Loop033 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop034 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop032 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop035 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop039 2017 05 23
The Gorge Loop036 2017 05 23
From Mount Wood the road takes you across Gibber plains to the gorge lookout.
