Sandside Rest Area - Newell Hwy, Morundah, NSW

Longitude:  146.164053      Latitude:  -35.060479

The ‘Sandside Rest Area’ is located on the southern flank of the Newell Highway, some 20 km south-west of the tiny township of Morundah in New South Wales. 

This particular rest area displays some magnificent specimens of the iconic Australian ‘Gum Tree’ as well as an Aboriginal ‘Scarred Tree’.  These large, mature trees also bestow welcome shelter – and the views across the fields are vast and beautiful . . .

Scarred trees resulted from the removal of an entire slab of bark from a tree.  The process was exercised with great skill and care as a split sheet of bark was all but useless.  The trees remain forever scarred as the bark cannot regrow on the exposed sapwood.  The exposed sapwood will eventually weather, crack and erode, resulting the scarred trees that are still evident today.  Toe holds are also often still visible.  They were crafted to enable the Aborigines to climb to higher reaches for look-outs, to hunt possums or to collect bee hives.  The bark sheets had many uses such as the creation of bark canoes, shields, infant carriers, bowls , water carriers and bark huts.

The Rest Area is equipped with sheltered picnic tables, public toilets and rubbish bins.  Some water is available, however it is NOT suitable for drinking.

Helpful Hints:

– Some 20 km South-West of the tiny Township of Morundah – obtain Directions here

– Large Area

– Points of Interest nearby

– Things to Do nearby

– Locate your closest shopping:

– Take Away Food Outlets

– Convenience Stores

– Petrol Stations

– Groceries