Day 5, 14/5/2016, Saturday, Balranald, Clear

I’m having a lovely shower when I hear shrieking and giggles from outside. With wet hair I poke my head out the door to find that G is conducting ladies aerobics on the lawn.

We share cars and drive 30kms north on the Ivanhoe road to the Homebush Hotel. Built in 1878 this place is a legendary watering hole of shearers and shooters. One of the most famous shooters to drink here was Sir Henry Bolte who was later to become State Premier of Victoria. Out front chooks peck about and there is a cairn commemorating the road being sealed in 1969. Sometimes we forget how important that would have been.

The small pub has been extended to incorporate a dining room and a function room at the back. There is also a small museum. Above the bar there is a pump action shot gun and shearing paraphernalia. The walls are adorned with photos of sheep and wool bales and a huge mural of shearers plying their trade. The food is good and there is plenty of it although the poor old publican is run off his feet pouring beers and tossing burgers for our hungry mob.

Towing Kms: 0