Spread the love
Post Views: 23

Head up and over the iconic Blue Mountains and you’ll find yourself in the beautiful Central West region of NSW. It’s packed full of beautiful landscapes to explore, adventurous activities to enjoy, gourmet food and wine trails to follow and a rich cultural heritage to discover. Most travellers head to the well-known towns of Mudgee and Orange, but there’s so much more to explore in the region. Take the road less travelled and check out these gems:
Hartley Historic Site
Nestled on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, near Lithgow, sits the quaint historic village of Hartley. Set among pastures, orchards, native plants and nineteenth and twentieth-century cottage gardens, the village’s sandstone buildings preserve an important piece of history: the settlement of inland Australia. Wander the picturesque town and uncover the fascinating history, visit the local blacksmith’s shop and marvel at his amazing craftmanship or stay the night at one of two renovated cottages to immerse yourself in the serenity.
Capertee National Park
Did you know Australia is home to the second largest canyon in the world (behind the USA’s Grand Canyon) and it’s located only a few hours’ drive from Sydney? Mind blown! Head to Capertee National Park, north of Lithgow, to take in this almighty sight. This park is ideal for a unique wilderness getaway with plenty of bushwalking, mountain biking and birdwatching on offer. Make the most of your adventure by staying at Capertee Homestead, a charming heritage cottage located by the river, ideal for large groups or families.
Pagoda lookout walking track
Pagoda Lookout walking track is a short but steep walk near Rylstone in Wollemi National Park that offers incredible views over ancient pagoda rock formations from the Triassic period. The walk requires moderate hiking experience, as the track is unformed and includes steep rocky sections – but the view from the top will make it worthwhile. Take in the 360-degree views of the volcanic remnants as well as the beautiful meandering Cudgegong River. There are several other spectacular walks nearby that take you further upstream and through the open scribbly gum woodland.
The Drip, Goulburn River National Park
The Drip Gorge is a spectacular natural sight and significant place for the local Wiradjuri People, located in Goulburn River National Park, close to Mudgee. Meander peacefully along The Drip walking track beside Goulburn River, before reaching The Drip or the ‘Great Dripping Wall’, to see a light fall of rainwater percolating through the sandstone walls. You’ll love experiencing its natural air-conditioning, with temperatures 10 to 15° cooler than surrounding areas. Enjoy the diversity of plants and wildlife along the cool riverbank on this easy 2.8km return walk.
For more info visit nswparks.info/centralwest
Always check the NSW National Parks website for alerts and closures before visiting a park.