Moorna Post Office opened on 22 February 1855 and was renamed Wentworth in 1860.[3]
In 1876, Wentworth township was described in the following terms:
Wentworth is situated on the Darling, about half a mile from the junction, and is plainly visible from the Murray. The township is built on rising ground, and, save in very exceptional seasons, is quite out of reach of flood waters. The population is between 400 and 500. The place appears prosperous and progressive. The trade up the Darling River, and the supply of stores to the stations in the vicinity, form the life-blood of its prosperity. Wentworth possesses a custom-house – a hideous little building resembling a watch-house, and as great an eyesore as the cause of its establishment is an inconvenience and annoyance to trade. The other public buildings are a post and telegraph office, for Wentworth is on the main telegraph line to Adelaide, and a court-house and offices, which are also used for land offices. There is a resident police magistrate, Mr. Richardson ... The two churches in Wentworth are buildings creditable to the town. The Roman Catholic Church is a brick structure, the Protestant Church an edifice of brick and stone... There are three or four stores of considerable size, and several hotels. The Australian Joint Stock Bank has a branch here. The river, which, opposite the town is about the width of the Murray at Echuca, is crossed by a punt.[4]
During the late 1800s Wentworth was an important river port; however, like many such towns, its significance faded with the development of the railways. In 1902, the people of Wentworth were lobbying for a railway from Mildura to be built, including a bridge over the Murray River.
The town is nowadays served by NSW TrainLink coach services, connecting it to Broken Hill, from which trains operate to Sydney, and Mildura.[11]
Floods
The town has been flooded many times by the two rivers. The most significant was in 1956, when both rivers flooded simultaneously. Local farmers, supplemented by the army and navy, worked for months to build levee banks to hold the water out of the town.[12]
Visitor attractions
Wentworth is now an important tourist outback destination and provides a welcome break for those travelling to or from Broken Hill. In addition to its authentic outback charm, the town offers some interesting attractions:
PS Ruby – a restored 1907 side-wheel paddlesteamer
The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally is a commemoration of the grey Fergie tractors that were used to maintain the levee banks and save the town from the 1956 Murray River flood.[12]
^Full Points Footy, Sunraysia Football League, archived from the original on 2 May 2008, retrieved 15 April 2009{{citation}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
