Carinda

Carinda is a town in the far north of New South Wales, Australia. The town is in the Walgett Shire local government area. In 2006, the town had a population of 194.The name of the town is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning 'you carry'.HistoryIn 1818 John Oxley and George Evans arrived north or Warren and attempted to come down the Macquarie River. Unseasonal rains and swollen rivers overflowing into marsh country soon turned them back, confirming their conviction that there was an inland sea. For ten years the mystery of the inland sea remained unsolved. When Charles Sturt ventured into the interior in 1828-29 he endeavoured to verify Oxley's findings. However, it became evident that there was no inland sea, and that all the inland rivers did flow into the Darling River.Settlers came into the Carinda District in the mid 1800s settling along the waterways.Thomas McNamara acquired 16,000acre of land which became Carinda Station. He built a dwelling on the nearby Marthaguy Creek where he ran a hotel and a store around which a small village grew. It is believed the name Carinda is derived from an early 'run' west of the present town called 'Currundy.' In 1908 the Carinda Bore was sunk, enabling people to move away from the creek. A second settlement, known as the "Top End", grew up where present-day Carinda is situated.Present dayThe population of Carinda has decreased significantly in the past 8 years and now stands at around 194. The general store which also served as a post office and café closed down in August 2014, and post office duties have since been taken up by the local service station.