Wowan & Dululu- tales of a derelict pub
We were channeling Thelma & Louise (without the ending!) as we drove carefree along country roads to the Leichardt Highway and the town of Wowan. I was adamant that the local pub had been in the news as under renovation; my companion Dee argued that the Dululu Hotel was the topic of the article. Driving through the old characterful timber cottages we strained to identify the building under discussion; the only building in use appeared to be the Post office Com Bank. In a town devoid of cafe, corner store, petrol station and -yes- an operating pub Wowan defies the logic; there are indeed people living here. In fact a number of houses appear to be in the process of renovation. Certainly, the state school is beautifully landscaped and the Van Park we pass draws us in for a closer look, framed as it is by a distinctively solid albeit decaying building with faded brushstrokes above a hand painted horse and cart ‘ Museum’. They were the magic words.
And so we drove into a quaint magical setting that is the Wowan Van Park, complete with 7 cabins, a modern amenities block, ancient shady trees and the sense of sanctuary and serenity.
We soon met Deb the park’s caretaker who not only gave us permission to photograph the old buildings but narrated to us the history of the site. For the Van Park sits alongside the old Wowan Butter Factory, in use right up to the de regulation of the dairy industry. A small distance away is the creamery, where milk was separated from the cream. Although we could not walk through the building due to insurance issues, we managed to sneak a glimpse through the windows and cracked timber doors to photograph its decaying beauty.