Lithgow – Bilpin

Made another lap around town but couldn’t find too much other than the lovely collection of beautiful houses. Headed up to the nice lookout, then out of town back up the mountain.

Arrived at the Zig Zag Railway @ Clarence, just in time for a huge rain storm complete with a bit of hail, and the last departure for the day of the train.

We were going to take Midget back to the car, when they said we could bring her along. We went in the diesel engine with modern 50s metal carriages with comfortable padded seats. We then drove through the longest tunnel I’d ever been in a train. Stopped for some great photos and then on to the next station.

There we joined the other train and the passengers who’d just come back up the hill. They swapped us over to the old steam engine and original 70 year old timber carriages. It was a fabulous trip.

yes, they even allow dogs!

We then moved on to Mount Wilson. This was the crown of the day. It’s a place that’s 8kms off the highway. Apart from avid hikers, I don’t even know if it gets a mention on the map, other than a dot with a name next to it. It was first subdivided in 1833 and once the train line went in, they were all snapped up. There are just 200 people who live up in the 1000m tranquil location.

Its surrounded by heavily timbered with temperate rain forests of sassafras, coachwood, lilli pilli, tree ferns and a thick understorey of ferns. The locals still wanting parts of home with them, set about planting huge tree lined streets of elms, oaks, London planes and Japanese maples the size of large gum trees! Its simply astonishing. The trees have grown so much its impossible to see a single house. Most are entirely hidden by the growth and under growth. Its truly a must for anyone visiting, as well as taking in a walk or two. There is even a gorge to view.

Given the place was from the beginning a holiday destination for the rich of Sydney its difficult to find out who know lives there. There are several houses with security cameras everywhere and notices saying no entry 24 hour surveillance. There was even a Turkish Bathhouse installed which is now the museum to the area. It was closed when we passed, so we weren’t able to visit. The locals even built their own church and school with their own funds. They are accessible and very gorgeous. There is also a considerably large burial area adjoining the church. Amazing place…

Stopped in Bilpin at the edge of the Wollomi National Park.