Tenterfield Council's Old Fuel Station New South Wales, Australia
By C○3 ♀ Ɛ○<<○3 on 05-Feb-22. Waypoint GA26225

Sitting in a paddock just off the Bruxner Way are 3 short round brick structures. These are charcoal kilns and were used for producing a fuel substitute during World War 2.

Dead Ironbark trees were cut up and fed into the kilns to produce charcoal that would then be burned in gas producing units fitted to vehicles. The burning coal produced gas that was mixed with dripping water to create the fuel. Most of the Tenterfield Shire Council trucks were fitted with these units. Petrol was in short supply during the war and therefore rationed. Whilst it wasn't a very reliable source of fuel and didn't support the usual heavy loads petrol could handle, it did keep the Council trucks moving and the roads and services in the area working.

Above are a few photos of photos (yes I wrote that correctly) thanks to a local (possibly Di South) who placed them on display in the Mingoola Hall with the above information. 1st image close up of a kiln, 2nd image kiln in action, 3rd image builder's initals and date made. Other images from the information board can be found in this cache's gallery including more info in a newspaper article.

This cache is placed at a safe place to pull up, even wtih a caravan in tow. Standing at GZ and looking up the road toward Tenterfield, you will be able to see at least one of the 3 charcoal kilns in the paddock. A short wander up the road will get you a better view. Just be mindful of traffic if you choose to park closer to them. And, no, you can't enter the private property for a closer look. This is a protected historic site.

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