Overview
The Long Paddock is the colloquial term for the stock routes
that cross Australia - open strecthes of unfenced land that anyone
can use to move stock or feed in times of drought. The Long Paddock
– Cobb Highway touring route follows the length of the Cobb
Highway (610 km) from Echuca Moama on the Victorian border through
to Wilcannia in the north.
Moama was established by James Maiden as early as l845 and
became a cattle mart, providing meat for miners at the Bendigo
diggings. But Moama's prosperity was short lived, as some 10 years
later the gold petered out and Moama followed Maiden into
obscurity. Echuca, on the other hand, was founded by Henry Hopwood,
who established a commercial empire on the south bank of the Murray
in l853 and pressured the Government into providing a railway,
which opened in l864. Soon afterwards a port was established at the
terminus and paddlesteamers began transporting wool and other goods
along the Murray-Darling and Murrumbidgee Rivers. Moama has had a
chequered history. When the settlement began in 1845, it was known
as Maiden's Punt, named after James Maiden - punt owner, station
manager, stock dealer, publican and post master. Three years later
the village area was surveyed and lots were put up for sale when
the town was renamed Moama.
The
Cache
No.1 of three...The Long Paddock. You are looking for a Ammo
size tin. About 2 Meters behind the Introduction sign. Please
return as found. 300 meters east is Victoria street, which was the
crossing point for the stock, before the punt was put in.
A prize for the first person
to Log all three caches...A DVD of "The Long Paddock". Send an
email to collect your prize.
Happy Hunting!!!! Congratulations to WazzaandWenches on the FTF,
well done. And a big well done to GregandJudi for finding all three
in the series first