Historic Milparinka

The township of Milparinka lies adjacent to the ancient tree-lined creek that was named by Charles Sturt after his brother Evelyn. It is mostly accessed by a short drive from the Silver City Highway, with the turnoff just 40 kilometres south of Tibooburra.

At first it was a shanty collection of rough huts and tents close to the water’s edge, but after being surveyed in the early 1880s more substantial sandstone and corrugated iron buildings were built on the sandstone plateau to the west. Milparinka became a supply town for the Albert Goldfields but as the population ebbed and flowed with drought-filled seasons and the fortunes of miners, it became apparent that none of the once grand ambitions would be realised. Since the 1920s, from a population base of around 300, there have been but a handful of people left in the community of Milparinka.

Yet, today it has been revitalised through the efforts of an inspired community group which has overseen the restoration of most of the remaining heritage buildings and purpose built new centres to create an award winning heritage complex.

No visit to Corner Country is complete without spending time exploring all that Milparinka has to offer.

Accommodation is available at the Milparinka Caravan Park adjacent to the Heritage Precinct, and at the Milparinka Hotel.

Milparinka Heritage Precinct

The Heritage Precinct is in two parts.  The restored historic buildings and a new history centre are all located on the eastern end of Loftus Street, behind the Courthouse, while additional purpose-built centres are adjacent to the public toilets.

When all spaces are completed in early 2023 the entire complex will provide visitors with an unforgettable and rewarding experience in 16 different areas.

There is an entry fee which provides access to all of the interpretive spaces, camp kitchens, gardens and shelters, as well as public toilets.

The reason for this is that Milparinka does not have a local council and the Precinct has to be self-sustaining. Children in the company of an adult are free; adult entry (payable at the Courthouse Visitor Information and souvenir Centre) is $8.00 per person (50c per space). 

Coach tour guests are $5.00 per person.

A snapshot of some of what there is to see and do at Milparinka

• Discover Malyangapa heritage, culture and art in a dedicated Aboriginal heritage space
• Be moved by stories about some of the pioneering women of the west
• Follow Charles Sturt’s Central Australian Expedition in the dedicated Sturt-Kidman Centre (you can’t miss the diorama display depicting the men, horses, bullocks, sheep and more or the expedition) then rest comfortably while watching film of Sir Sidney Kidman’s times in the Corner Country, or research your own family history in the archive room.
• Remember when telephones were connected by wires and telegrams were sent by morse-code? Not likely, but you will find out when the former post office is fitted out with communication interpretations.
• Check out the Albert Goldfields Mining Heritage Centre and have a go at working the dry-blower. or go next door into the all new “geo-centre” which houses around 2000 rock and mineral specimens collected from right across the country.
• Enjoy art?  Milparinka has a wonderful collection of local Aboriginal art by Shane Bates, murals and paintings by renown local artists Jodi Daley and Clark Barrett, and sculptural works by Gritta Walker, Bonnie Quayle, Harrie Fasher and Brian Campbell.
• Wanting to stretch your legs?  Take in the town walk to visit sites of significance from the early days of Milparinka.
• ..and if you are staying the night, visit the Harry Blore Dark Sky Park when one can view the Milky View through the “lens” of Aboriginal culture, or turn the planisphere dial to discover the constellations visible on any given night of the year.