Uralla, Australia
Town in New South Wales was Home to Captain Thunderbolt
Years ago when horses and carriages ruled the roads, there was Captain Thunderbolt - the gentleman bushranger, popular with the locals and wanted by the law!
Australia's colorful history is full of the famous bushrangers. Nestled on top of the Great Dividing Range, in a small town called Uralla in New South Wales. Uralla is home to Captain Thuderbolt and his grave. Sometimes called Australia's Robin Hood, he was a very well thought of person in his time and came to be known as the gentleman robber. He only robbed the wealthy people and didn't rob ladies unlike other bushrangers in his time!
Bushranger is the name given to the people who used to rob the horse coaches and travelers in early Australia history. They mostly traveled in gangs of more than three and were not picky whom they held up. Thunderbolt had a very well trained horse that would come to him at the sound of his master’s whistle. So he was a great asset for quick escapes. People of the region knew whom Thunderbolt was and often he would be seen dining in the elite society of that day.
On the New England Highway, heading towards Tamworth, there is a huge boulder called Thunderbolts Rock. Thunderbolt and his co-workers would pounce upon unwary travelers as the rock was covered then in thick bushland. It is now a tourist attraction for people to remember the times of yesterday. Thunderbolt was renown for outsmarting the Australian troopers and led them on many wild chases throughout the Armidale region. Eventually he was caught and shot.
Now his legend still lives on and his name has gone down in Australian history as Thunderbolt - the gentleman robber. People have said if you be quiet on the night of the full moon you may just catch a glimpse of a man galloping on horse-back past Thunderbolts Rock or hear the echoes of his horses hooves.
Uralla itself is a wonderful town with excellent shops featuring brick-a-brac, antiques, arts, crafts and more. There is a excellent museum for the lovers of machinery, specializing in world war two machinery. There are colorful hotels where the locals are more than happy to tell you of the towns legends. Historic buildings appear throughout the town and are a perfect example of early Australian life.
On a winters cool evening, it is a wonderful past-time to meet with friends at the pub, sit back enjoy a wonderful meal and a few drinks. It is amazing the yarns also known as the stories people will tell to try to get you to believe.
Uralla is on the New England Highway in New South Wales, about one and a half hours drive from Tamworth and half an hour from Armidale. There is an excellent golf course and if you take your time to explore this unique town, you will not be disappointed! The Uralla district is renowned for superfine wool and cattle with the country characterized by extensive protrusions of granite.
For more information on this wonderful region here are some links:
Armidale Tourism
