Central West

Lithgow is situated at the base of the western escarpment of the Blue Mountains 156km west of Sydney on the Great Western Highway. An electric train also runs from Sydeny to Lithgow. Coal mining has been an important industry in the Lithgow area since 1869, after the completion of the Zig Zag railway.

After many years of disrepair, the Zig Zag railway is again open for tourists who can now take a steam train ride though this spectacular area. This unique rail line was completed in 1869 and consisted of a series of tunnels and viaducts that Zig Zag down the steep western escarpment of the Blue Mountains. Even today this rail line is considered to be an engineering marvel.

Museums and Galleries of Central West

State:

New South Wales

Average summer day temperature:

28.2°C

Average winter day temperature:

10.6°C

Average annual rainfall:

878.2mm

Average clear days:

166.8

Bathurst

Bathurst is on the banks of the Macquarie River and has been gazetted as a town since 1833. It boomed during the gold-rush days of the 1850s.

A major tourist attraction during the Easter and October weekends is the Mt Panorama racing circuit where car and motor-cycle events are held.

The whole of the central grid section of the city of Bathurst has been classified by the National Trust for preservation as an essential part of the nation's historic and cultural heritage; this includes many houses and terraced cottages, several parks, the civic centre zone, the buildings of the Technical College Annexe, the courthouse, post office and many other buildings.

Fountain in Machattie Park at night.

Blayney

Blayney is a small country town along the railway line between Bathurst and Orange, aboutg 250km west of Sydney. The surrounding rural districts produce wool and wheat, fat lambs and pigs, fruit and vegetables.

Blue Mountains

When viewed from a distance, the Blue Mountains have a strikingly even surface, typical of a level plateau skyline; and have a markedly blue haze from which their name is derived. They were once a barrier to westward expansion of the colony of New Wouth Wales, but in 1813 they were crossed by the famous explorers Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth.

The Blue Mountains are a popular holiday escape for those living in Sydney and the surrounding coastal areas. Spectacular scenary and mild summer conditions make it an ideal place to visit.

Katoomba - one of the spectacular areas of the Blue Mountains.

Bogan Gate

Canowindra

Canowindra's still air, cool mornings and warm days have made this town an ideal location for hot air ballooning. A number of companies offer flights over the town while there are events which feature ballooning during the year.

A chance discovery by a roadworker in 1956 has led, many years later, to one of the world's great fossil discoveries in central west New South Wales. Other features include a streetscape of historic significance, antique shops, vineyards and gourmet foods.

Canowindra has built a reputation as the ballooning capital of Australia

Cargo

In the heart of some of the best wineries and beautiful drives in the Central West area of New South Wales.

Cowra

Most famous for its prisoner of war breakout in 1944, when those who had been captured made a bid for freedom. The death toll for the Japanese was 247, and 4 Australian soldiers also lost their lives. Today Cowra is a much quiter town, is is nestled in the western slopes region and serves as the business centre for the surrounding farming district.

Cowra is an extensive wine growing area, and visitors are invited to tour the many local wineries.

Countryside around Cowra.

Cudal

A quiet, country village where living is at a steady pace. A town of interesting craftspeople and features a mohair stud selling fine mohair products.

Cumnock

A small rural and historical village featuring craftspeople including a leatherworker, folk artist, woodworker and metal craftsman.

Eugowra

A town with a rich history of bushrangers and explorers. Eugowra is situated on the banks of the Mandagery Creek and set amidst picturesque timber-clad hills and fertile flats. On June 15 1862 Australia's biggest and most famous gold robbery was committed at Eugowra where Frank Gardiner's gang stopped the Cobb & Co coach from Forbes to Orange. The bushrangers stole 2917 ozs of gold and 3700 pounds sterling in cash. Only a portion of the total of 14000 pounds sterling was ever recovered.

Fifield

Forbes

Jenolan Caves

The Jenolan Caves are a series of limestone caves situated in the in the Blue Mountains 180km west of Sydney. In 1894 electricity was installed to illuminate the caves and the guest house to house tourists was built in 1898. The area surrounding the caves is a flora and fauna reserve.

Katoomba

Katoomba,west of Sydney, is the main centre of the Blue Mountains . It has been a popular tourist destination for many years because of the breath-taking views of the Jamison Vallley, and the unusual Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point. The Scenic Railway and Skyway give tourists a further opportunity take advantage of the spectacular views.

There are many guest houses and hotels in the Katoomba area, along with quaint shops and sensational hand made chocolates.

Lithgow

Average summer day temperature: 28.2°C

Average winter day temperature: 10.6°C

Average annual rainfall: 878.2mm

Average clear days: 166.8

Manildra

A pretty, quiet settlement on the banks of the Mandagery Creek which has an abundance of trout and where the occasional platypus may be spotted.

Molong

Settlement began in Molong in as early as the 1840's, however, Molong was officially gazetted in 1849. The name "Molong" is derived from an aboriginal word meaning "place of many rocks".

The town boasts an early Austen-European main street, which is classified by the National Trust. With many other beautiful and well cared for historic buildings scattered throughout the town, Molong provides the visitor with a look back into the past.

Orange

Average summer day temperature: 28.2°C

Average winter day temperature: 10.6°C

Average annual rainfall: 876.0mm

Orange is a city in the central west of NSW and is important as a service town for the surrounding rural area. The Surveyor-General, Thomas Mitchell, gave the strange name of Orange to the town in the 1820s. Mitchell served in the Peninsular War in Spain with the Prince of Orange, and subsequently named the area after him.

Orange can be very hot in summer and very cold in winter. Each year in October the city hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Orchards near Orange.

Parkes

Located on the Newell Highway 370km west of Sydney, and also on the Indian Pacific train line, Parks is the commercial centre for the generally prosperous surrounding rural areas.

The CSIRO Radiotelescope is located 18km north of Parks, and is famous for tracking the first Moon landing. The story of that event has recently been dramatized in the movie "The Dish".

Radio Telescope, Parkes

Peak Hill

If you are visiting peak Hill you must go an see the CSIRO Radiotelescope that is famous for tracking the first Moon landing. The story of that event has recently been dramatized in the very funny movie "The Dish".

You can also visit the Peak Hill Gold Mine and the Mining Museum.

There are two caravan parks, 3 motels, 3 clubs and 1 hotel in Peak Hill.

Rylstone

This is a delightful area that includes the Wollomi National Park.

Weethalle

West Wyalong

Located on the junction of the Newell and Mid-Western Highways, the West Wyalong district attracted few people until gold was discovered there in 1889

47km. north-east of West Wyalong is Lake Cowal, the largest natural lake in NSW. It is considered a very important feeding and breeding habitat for a number of water-birds. Lake Cargelligo is just an hours drive from the town and offers a range of recreational facilities.

Wheat harvesting, West Wyalong.

Yeoval

A town central to many of the tourist sites in New South Wales including national parks and the Dubbo Zoo. The area also contains a great diversity of rocks, rock formations, landscapes, differing flora and fauna together with a large range of fossils and lapidary specimens.