Tintinara
One hour up the Dukes Highway from Tailem Bend, following the train tracks, is Tintinara. Tintinara’s railway heritage is still present throughout the town. The railway came through in 1886 and the railway station (now known as Visitor Information Outlet Heart of the Parks) also became an important landmark, with its water for steam trains and the development of a large railway community in the past. Now, Heart of the Parks VIO offers homemade cakes, biscuits, savouries and slices; jams and sauces; timber and jewellery crafts; handmade cards and gift items. All items are locally made and crafted. Heart of the Parks is volunteer run and is open from 10.00am until 4.30pm, 7 days a week. Called Heart of the Parks as Tintinara is surrounded by beautiful Parks. Stretch your legs on the Tintinara walking trail – pure bushland in close proximity to the town; visit Lake Indawarra which also has a walking trail; Messent Conservation Park (the natural habitat for the Mallee Fowl and Silky Mouse).
Mount Boothby Conservation Park (Boothby Rocks):
Mount Boothby, after which the park is named, is 129 metres high and is the highest outcrop of granite overlain with limestone within the park. The limestone and sandy ridges are covered in mallee with a heath understorey. The vegetation consists of dwarf oaks, tea trees, yaccas and desert banksias, all of which grow in the sand flats. The park produces beautiful wild orchids in the spring. Mallee fowl breed here, and the western grey kangaroo and echidnas are common.
The area is very popular for picnic and camping.
Tintinara is the location of a Disc Golf park. The Tintinara course is around the walking trails and Lake Indawarra precinct and has nine baskets and 18 tees. Disc Golf is played by throwing discs towards a metal basket. The sport is similar to golf with the aim to land the disc in the basket before progressing to the next. The course has been designed for beginners and more advanced players. Discs and score cards will be available from the Heart of the Parks.
More info www.tintinara.com.au
