We rejoined our interrupted investigation of the roads which go from east to west up the escarpment and across the tableland.
The Bruxner Highway from Lismore to Tenterfield is much more gentle than the roads further south but has its own attractions including a pleasant drive through the Girard State Forest.
On the road between Casino and Tenterfield we found what must be the saddest little town in Australia. Faded hoardings beg motorists to divert from the main road and refresh themselves in Mallanganee. We followed the signs and found a dilapidated little town with a very small pub, a very small general store, several houses, a couple of derelict tennis courts and a main street lined with closed businesses. One had a sign painted on the shop window "Temporarily closed until further notice - 19-12-1994". Clearly the heyday of Mallanganee was when the drive from Casino to Tenterfield was so far that a stop on the way was necessary and Mallanganee thrived on the passing trade. Today, no-one would find it necessary or appropriate or desireable to break a journey as short as 130 km (80 miles).