UPDATE
TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
Project Update
The Sturts Steps Infrastructure Project is now complete and has been handed over to Milparinka Heritage & Tourism Association to run and manage from here. Check out our wonderful images that showcase what has appeared in the Corner Country region through this project. A list of all the additions is below.
![Milparinka Heritage Town Logo [BLACK] CMYK.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/51f01e_60d3cee214c349efae025a7c3974a705~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_168,h_168,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/Milparinka%20Heritage%20Town%20Logo%20%5BBLACK%5D%20CMYK.jpg)
Milparinka
MasterPlan, Waterhole, Camp Kitchen, Post Office, Accommodation and Museum
Tibooburra
Town Walking Tour, Museum, Camp Ground Camp Kitchen, Art Trail
Sculpture Trail
Sturt National Park, Tibooburra, Milparinka, Packsaddle
Signage
Wayfinding, Interpretation Shelters and Information Posts
Museums
Building
Delivery
Fit Out
MILPARINKA
The town in the centre of Sturts Steps Touring journey is undergoing much change in this project and elements include;
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Waterhole refurbishment
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Town MasterPlan
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Post Office renovation
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New interpretation spaces
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A Night Sky Park
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Additions to the existing caravan park including a Camp Kitchen and Shelter
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Extra Accommodation for caretaker
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The Milparinka Sculptures
TIBOOBURRA
Also a significant town within the journey, Tibooburra also has many additions being added to the visitor experience. These include;
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A new interpretation centre
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Town walking tour
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Additions to the existing camp kitchen at the Local Aboriginal Land Council camping ground
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The Tibooburra Sculpture of a Cameleer
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A Mural on the interpretation centre
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New amenities in the park
Other Elements include;
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Wayfinding and Interpretation Signage
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Sculpture Trail
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Digital integration with extra engagement for visitors
![Milparinka Heritage Town Logo [BLACK] RGB WEB_edited.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb8059_09414bde70564367abe898c03dc0efba~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_2363,h_2363,q_90/fb8059_09414bde70564367abe898c03dc0efba~mv2.webp)
Art Trail
The component of the Art Trail that is now complete includes the 3 sculptures in Sturt National Park that take the form of a Bandicoot (Artist: Brian Campbell), a Bilby, and a Quoll (Artist: Ivan Lovett)*. Each adds an element of representation to the Wild Deserts project and the icons that Sturt National Park will once again be recognised for.
Thank you to the Managers of the Wild Deserts Project, Reece & Bec Pedler for their assistance and coordination of the installation of these magnificent icons in the area.
In addition, the pieces at Milparinka are also now complete, produced by Bonny Quayle and Gritta Walker. These pieces tell the stories of Milparinka, a testament to the Women of Milparinka in the 19th century, reflecting the letters that were written to families and loved ones acknowledging hardships and joy. In addition, a beautiful artwork that can be found in the museum was commissioned by artist Clarke Barrett, depicting Captain Charles Sturt.
The Tibooburra sculpture is now complete and stands outside the new Tibooburra museum. The cameleer and his camel are a testament to Tibooburra's beginnings, as, without camels, settlement in the far reaches of Outback Australia would have been impossible.
In Packsaddle, the addition of a sculptural monolith is a testament to the past and current. Stone pieces engraved by artist Ian Marr of the Outback locations in the region, visited by many including Captain Charles Sturt and the names of Sturt's party on the Inland Sea Expedition. One stone is left unengraved ready for the future to be written. Enjoy this sculpture by sitting around the yarning circle under the windmill... a great place to stop and rest.
The Silhouette images are an important part of bringing art into the region. Each tells a component of the stories that appear on the sign that is situated beside them and is an artistic creation that when set in the backdrop of the landscape brings the history to life. Not to mention a fabulous selfy tour for tourists!
The remaining pieces to the Art Trail include;
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Tibooburra Museum Wall - On the side of the museum will be a mural that will showcase the elements of the history and today in Tibooburra. Clark Barrett is the artist. Status; Work has commenced off-site.
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Milparinka - Another artwork for the trail is another wire sculpture at the intersection of Milparinka Township and Sturts Steps Touring Route. It is of Sturt and his horse, a moment at a time as he traverses the landscape toward Depot Glen. Status; Work has commenced off-site.
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Milparinka Night Sky Park - in the image gallery you will see a construction with welded metal. This is the construction work of artist Harrie Fasher. The outcome of which, you will see it is in place... something you will have see!
Thanks to West Darling Arts for their assistance in this area of the project.
* Sturt National Park Sculptures were all made from the left-over wire fencing from when the Wild Desert conservation area was fenced.
Artwork images can be seen below.
Contact West Darling Arts
Signage
What makes Sturts Steps an engaging touring journey is not only the towns you visit but the comprehensive signage strategy that stops visitors and helps them to understand the importance of the landscape and activities that occurred on that place before them.
The signage comes in 3 forms;
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128 Road Signs pointing to key attractions and the route
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9 Interpretation Shelters located on roadsides with comprehensive information for visitors
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32 Interpretations Posts located in significant locations that interpret one particular story or icon.
The successful tenderer for the Interpretation shelters and interpretation posts has been confirmed as AW Signs. Artwork is at the approval stage for all bar the current 3 Interpretation Posts already installed in Sturt National Park and supplied by Country Mile Signs.
Digital Interpretation
As part of the project, the team knew that we needed to get the history to come alive in more than just words on a sign, or words on a wall, and this is where the digital content will assist. Working with Jason King Media, there will be downloadable content for all visitors to engage in the spaces, places, and characters in Corner Country. And there will be a few characters (digitally) to guide you. Here is a sneak peek of what to expect.
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Night Sky Park
A massive opportunity in the outback is for visitors to engage in the night sky. There are more opportunities to see more stars and astronomy events in the darkness of the outback areas during the night. Milparinka will house the first Corner Country stargazing park complete with interpretation signs, a planisphere, landscaping, seating, and a sculpture that will be a testament to the Aboriginal interpretation of the night sky. All of which is under construction and expected to be ready by early 2023.
Camp Kitchens
There is a new camp kitchen being added to Milparinka and an extension being built alongside the existing Tibooburra campground facilities. Concept drawings are going through the approval stage prior to procuring and can be seen below. These facilities will provide excellent amenities for visitors to the region, with 58% of all visitors to the region caravanning or camping.
Milparinka Camp Shelter
Interpretation Centres
The addition of interpretative signage is an important aspect of this project as we help visitors to understand the history of this place, our traditional carers of the land and their stories, European settlement, the geology, flora, fauna, and how the region operates today. New interpretation centres have been added to the region to engage and inform all visitors on a number of areas.
OSM was successful in the tender process for the Milparinka Sturt & Kidman Museum and Taylor Made was successful in being the supplier for the Tibooburra Museum. The construction of these buildings is now complete and images of construction and installation can be seen below. Milparinka's is fully operational while the Tiboooburra Museum is undergoing its fit-out over the summer period.
In addition, OSM has helped with the development of the Percy and Doris Fripp Rock and Mineral Centre, which brings very relevant content for visitors to immerse themselves in as the geology of the corner country is diverse and iconic. Relocating from Nelligen, this collection of minerals, fossils, and gemstones is a proud addition to the other 11 interpretative spaces in Milparinka. Charmaine Fripp, daughter of Percy & Doris, noted that her parent's last trip was to the Corner Country, an area they loved due to the fossicking opportunities so it's quite fitting their collection is now on display in Milparinka.
Milparinka Waterhole
As part of the Sturt's Steps Project the Waterhole at Milparinka received a make-over removing considerable silt build-up and rubbish that had to be dumped over the years. This truly started to form an oasis in the desert and a great place for visitors to relax. Located just below the Milparinka Caravan Park, it provides an excellent outlook as well.
Now located overlooking the waterhole is the new accommodation offering for the precinct.
Industry Famil
Two itineraries were confirmed in March 2021 to take key industry stakeholders on the journey and gain their feedback on our additions and allow shaping of the elements to better suit industry needs. Unfortunately only one of those tours has been able to go ahead as we have been challenged with obstacles such as the March 2021 floods, peak season restricting availability, and now COVID lockdowns in Sydney and NSW.
The second famil ran in March 2022 and enabled more of our stakeholders to see what we had done and what was coming. This resulted in some great coverage for the project in the RACQ magazine and RM Williams Outback Magazine.
Conversations with these stakeholders continue regardless to ensure that we plan for organised tours, inbound interest, and an inclusive approach to the promotion of this touring route amongst other amazing touring journeys. Thanks to Destination NSW for their inclusion on www.visitnsw.com.
Sturt's Steps new addition
There are 2 letters next to Sturt's Steps - TM. Sturt's Steps is now a touring experience that is trademarked.
This approval confirms the importance of history when connecting with visitors across the region, and emphasising the importance of Charles Sturt's legacy in Outback Australia. Sturt's Steps can then tell more stories, offer more experiences, and welcoming more visitors to the region long into the future.
General Information
Outback Etiquette Tools available for Industry Use
To assist in educating our visitors on some of the nuances to Outback travel, access and amenity, the Sturts Steps Committee have provided these tools for any business, region, council, town to use to communicate to existing and potential visitors.
Download your version that suits your requirements, add your logo and display away!
Past Activities
Industry Famil March 2021
One of the planned research familiarisation tours was able to take place in March 2021. Thanks to Destination NSW, Insights Australia, GoWay Travel, and Broken Hill City Council for attending and to the amazing partners in Corner Country who hosted them; Milparinka Heritage & Tourism Association, Pimpara Lake Station, Mt Gipps Station, Pincally Station, Milparinka Hotel, Tibooburra Family Hotel, TJ's Roadhouse and Motel, Tibooburra Beds & Camping, Corner Country Store, Tibooburra Local Aboriginal Land Council, Tibooburra Village Committee, Wild Deserts Project, Cameron Corner Store and Packsaddle Roadhouse.
Community Forum 11th November 2020
Lori Modde and Ruth Sandow were in Tibooburra for a community forum on the 11th November 2020. This was a great opportunity to update the community on what has been achieved to date and what is next on the agenda for the project. This was also a time where the community could ask questions and give input on the museum contents as well as the sculpture that will be added to the town.
This meeting coincided with a project site visit that entailed many meetings in Broken Hill with current and future stakeholders as well as a site visit to Sturt National park to confirm the location of the elements in the Park. A few photos from the trip can be seen below.
Milparinka NSW
