1886 Railway Guide of N.S.W
1886 Railway Guide of N.S.W for use of tourists, excursionists, and others.
1886 Railway Guide of N.S.W for use of tourists, excursionists, and others.
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ADVERTISEMENTS'.<br />
(!J;1t, !mitraliau A!ttual jlrovid,nt $ od,tu,.<br />
ESTABLISHED 1849,<br />
FOR LIFE ASSURANCE ON THE MUTUAL PRINCIPLE.<br />
The Oldest .Mutual Life Office in Australia, and the Lar~est<br />
in the British Empire.<br />
HEAD OFFICE: 81 1 PITT STREET, SYDNEY, N.S.W.<br />
DIRECTORS:<br />
JOHN H. GOODLET, EsQ., CHAIRMAN.<br />
ISAAC E. IVES, EsQ., M.L.A., DEPUTY CHAIIrnAN.<br />
JAS. R. FAIRFAX, EsQ.<br />
THE HoN. Srn JOHN HAY, K.C.M.G., M.L.C.<br />
J. P. AB.J30TT, EsQ., M.L.A.<br />
ACTUARY:<br />
MORRICE A. BLACK, F.l.A.<br />
SECRETARY:<br />
ALEX. J. RALSTON.<br />
BUSINESS IN FORCE AT 31 DEC., 1885:<br />
li9,207 Policies, assuring<br />
Annual Income ...<br />
Accumulated Funds<br />
£25,053,372<br />
£1,210,170<br />
£5,970,218<br />
DIVISIONS OF PROFIT:<br />
Divideu as Cash Bonuses up to 31 Dec., 1883 .. .<br />
,, ,, ,, at 31 Dec., 1884 .. .<br />
,, ,, ,, ,, 31 Dec., 1885 .. .<br />
Total divided as Bo~rus in CA.SR<br />
£1,929,401<br />
2U2,435<br />
278,674<br />
£2,470,510<br />
The Divisions <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>it are made Annually, and the Bonuses allotted are larger than<br />
those <strong>of</strong> any other Office in the world. The Society's Policies arc freed from all<br />
harassing restrictions.<br />
NEW BUSINESS:<br />
The new business for the year ended 31 December, 1835, comprised- '<br />
11,257 Policies, assuring £4,016,211 with<br />
New Premiums <strong>of</strong> £152,627 10s. 2d.,<br />
being 80 per cent. in excess <strong>of</strong> the largest amount ever transacted in a single year by<br />
any other Life Office in the British Dominions.<br />
BRANCHES:<br />
VICTORIA ... . .. 100, Collins-at. W., Melbourn.e ... N. MAINE, Res. Secretm:1. ,<br />
NEW ZEALAND ... Custom House Quay, Wellington E.W. LowE, ,,<br />
SOUTH AUSTRALIA. King William-street, Adelaide ... R. B. CAMERON, ,,<br />
QUEENSLAND ... Queen-street, Brisbane... . .. E. H. WEBB, ,,<br />
· TASMANIA... . .. Elizabeth & Collins Sts., Hobart N. C. HERRING, ,,<br />
WEST. AUSTRALIA Hay-street, Perth ... . .. F. J. JA.COBS, ,,
...<br />
.A.DVERTISEllfENTS.<br />
MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION<br />
OF AUSTRALASIA .<br />
ESTABLI S HED 1869, AN D I NCORPORATE D BY ACT OF PARLIAME N T .<br />
Prinoipcd Office: George and Wynyard Streets, Sydney.<br />
@oitrll .<strong>of</strong> ~ired.on, :<br />
The Hon. J. B. WATT, M.L.C.,<br />
Chaii'inan.<br />
SAM DICKINSON, Esq.,<br />
Deputy-Chairman.<br />
F. T. HUMPHERY, Esq., M.P.<br />
W. J. TRICKETT, Esq., M.P.<br />
RUSSELL BARTON, Esq., M.P.<br />
JOHN DAVIES, Esq., C.M.G.,<br />
M.P.<br />
®.m.mtl Jjitnnnger :<br />
J. C. REMINGTON.<br />
ltlrinripal ~.ebi.rnl (l)ffi.c.er :<br />
H. N. MACLAURIN, Esq., M.D.<br />
@itnher.5 :<br />
THE BANK OF NEW SOUTH<br />
WALES.<br />
s;oli.citori, :<br />
Messrs. FISHER, RALFE, AND<br />
SALWEY.<br />
J\,!1£>fohmt s;m.ehtr!J:<br />
JOHN W. RAIL.<br />
BRANCH OFFICES :<br />
81, QUEEN STREET, AUCKLAND.<br />
~irn:t.o:r..5:<br />
A. G. HORTON, EsQ., J .P . ;<br />
AH.THUR HEATHER, EsQ.<br />
MEDICAL 0FFICER-T. B. KENDERDINE, EsQ.,<br />
M.R.C.S., England.<br />
SECRETARY : WILLIAJ\i T. J. BELL.<br />
158, HEREFORD ST., CHRISTCHURCH.<br />
~ire.et.ow :<br />
THE HoN, W. REEVES, M.L.C.;<br />
H. R. WEBB, EsQ., J.P.<br />
MEDICAL OFFICER-WILLIAM H. SYMES,<br />
EsQ., M.D.<br />
SECRETARY-GEORGE GILL.<br />
228, QUEEN STREET, BRISBANE.<br />
~ir.e.ct.ow:<br />
Tirn HoN. Sm S. W. GRIFFITH, K.C.M.G.,<br />
Q.C., M.L.A. ;<br />
J. F. BUCKLAND, EsQ., M.L.A.<br />
MEDICAL OFFICER-RICHARD RENDLE,<br />
EsQ., F.R.C.S., England.<br />
SECRETARY-HENRY J. OXLEY.<br />
14, MARKET BUILDINGS, MELBOURNE.<br />
~iredot:.l3':<br />
R. MURRAY SMITH, EsQ., C.M.G. ;<br />
TrrE HoN. WILLIAM WILSON;<br />
W. H. CALDER, EsQ.<br />
MEDICAL OFFICER-CHARLES S. RYAN, EsQ.,<br />
B.M. Orr. M. EDIN.<br />
SECRETARY-J. WILSON REID.<br />
GRENFELL STREET, ADELAIDE.<br />
~ir.edow:<br />
TrrE HoN. 8m R. D. ROSS, M.P. ; W. H.<br />
CHAR.NOOK, EsQ. ; E. C. STIRLING,<br />
EsQ., M.D., F.R.O.S., Eng., M.P.<br />
MEDICAL OFFICER-CHARLES E. TODD, EsQ.,<br />
M.D.<br />
SECRETARY-ARTHUR STIRLING.<br />
TASMANIAN AGENTS:<br />
JOHN HAMILTON, HOBART ;<br />
WALTERS. BELL, LAUNCESTON.<br />
L OCAL AGE N T S<br />
IN 300 TOWNS THROUGHOUT THE<br />
COLONIES.<br />
The S econd O ldest M 1.itual L ife O ffice in Aus t ralasia . T he<br />
First to free Assurance from Restrictions, and the only<br />
one established within the last 38 years which has<br />
declared a Bon us on a P u re Premiu m<br />
V aluation.
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
@nglizht jtottizgt anh instra!ian<br />
CHARTERED BANK.<br />
INCORPORATED BY ROYAL CHARTER, 1852.<br />
Capital, with power to increase to £ r ,500,000<br />
Reserved liability <strong>of</strong> shareholders<br />
Reserved fund<br />
£720,000<br />
720,000<br />
220,000<br />
Total , .. £ I ,660,000<br />
LONDON OFFICE, 73, CORNHILL, E.C.<br />
BRANCHES AT SYDNEY:-<br />
ALBION PARK KEMPSEY PYRM.ONT<br />
BALMAIN KIAMA QUEEN'S WHARF<br />
BROUGHTON CREEK<br />
MARULAN<br />
SOUTHERN<br />
BULLI<br />
MIL'l'ON<br />
ST. LEONARDS<br />
BURRAWANG<br />
CROOK WELL<br />
MOSS VALE<br />
WAVERLEY<br />
EASTERN BRANCH NEWTOWN<br />
WEST BALMAIN<br />
(SYDNEY)<br />
NOWRA<br />
WOLLONGONG<br />
GOULBURN<br />
PADDINGTON<br />
WOOLLAHRA<br />
GLADSTONE<br />
PITT-STREET<br />
WOOLLOOMOOLOO<br />
IN NE'W' SOUTH 'W' ALES,<br />
AND<br />
THROUGHOUT VICTORIA AND SOUTH AUSTRALIA.<br />
. Agents and correspondents in Tasmania, New Zealand, the United Kingdom,<br />
India and the East, Mauritius, the United States, South America, Berlin, Hamburg,<br />
Dresden, and Copenhagen.<br />
. The ~ank allows interest on deposits for fixed periods, and transacts all usual<br />
bankmg busmess.<br />
FLETCHER DIXON,<br />
Manager.
A.DVERTISEMENTS.<br />
TOWN AND COUNTRY JOURNAL AND EVENING NEWg<br />
OFFIOES, MARKET-STREET, SYDNEY.<br />
~l{.l~ ~otvn and (tonntru ,lf onrnal -<br />
Is the Most Popular "Weekly Newspaper<br />
in Australia, having a circulation DOUBLE<br />
that <strong>of</strong> any other.<br />
Subscription, 25s. per annum, in advance.<br />
~lte )tvett,ing ~ ew~<br />
Is an Afternoon Penny Paper with a<br />
culation <strong>of</strong> 55,000 copies daily.<br />
Subscription, 26s. per annum, in advance.<br />
.<br />
Clf-<br />
THE ABOVE PAPERS STAND UNRIVALLED IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE<br />
AS MEDIUMS FOR ADVERTISING.
ADVERTISEMENTS,<br />
JOSEPHSON'S OINTMENT<br />
Has been used by the public for so many years that it does not rcq uire puffing.<br />
It has worked its way<br />
and still holds its own, and yet stands the<br />
PIEMIEB QlNTMEIT IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.<br />
The JOSEPHSON'S OINTMENT is purely vegetable, and guaranteed free from all poisonous<br />
qualities. No artificial colouring, as the green colour is extra cl eel from the pure green plant•, which<br />
defy imitation. We see published all kinds <strong>of</strong> preparations <strong>of</strong> the Eucalyptus in various forms, but the<br />
chief ingredient <strong>of</strong> the JOSEPHSON'S OINTMENT is tbe Eucalyptus, so that all these new-fangled<br />
productions are old in comparison with JOSEPIISON'S OINTMENT; in fact, they have been finding<br />
out "mares' nests," while the pure and unadulterated essence and colour <strong>of</strong> the Eucalyptus is fully<br />
embodied in JOSEPHSON'S OINTMEN'f. The following unsolicited testimonials speak volumes for<br />
the h ealing power <strong>of</strong> JOSEPHSON'S OINTMENT :-<br />
!Copy <strong>of</strong> Letter.] "Gally S\\'amp, 25th September, 1882.<br />
"GENTLEMEN,-! ha.Ye much pleasure in testifying to the wonderful curative effects <strong>of</strong> your Josephson's Ointment on<br />
my face and arms. About four weeks ago I was standing Uy 16lbs. <strong>of</strong> blasting powder, when a spark by some means ignited<br />
it, causing it to explode in my face and a1111s n.nd neck, burning them dreadfully. I was recommended to your Josephson's<br />
Ointment, and after using se,·en <strong>of</strong> your pots, I am completely healed.-(Signed) GEORGE DIGBY."<br />
[Copy <strong>of</strong> Letter received from James Ford, <strong>of</strong> bfacclesfield, England.]<br />
. "DEAR S1R,-I have to thank you for bringing Joscphson's Ointment under my notice. About a month ago (March 25)<br />
I burned mr hands severely. The first day or two I used lime water and linseed oil, and after that the Ointment. At first I<br />
only used the Ointment on one hand, but the ease which I experienced ea.used me to have both hands dressed with it. lt<br />
allayed the pain quickly, and caused to heal up and the new skin to form, which it has done with remarkable quickness, so<br />
much so that I am starting my work to·morrow.-To Josiah ~male, jun., Hollin Mills, :Macclesfield."<br />
The original letter may be seen at our <strong>of</strong>fices.<br />
Protect yourselves from fraudulent and injurious imitations by asking for JOSEPHSON'S<br />
OINTMENT, l s. per pot.<br />
EDWARD ROW & CO.<br />
ROW'S EMBROCATION<br />
Has no longer a place alone in the stable, but thousands <strong>of</strong> families now keep it as an invaluable<br />
embrocation in cases <strong>of</strong> accident.<br />
Dwellers in the interior should never be without a supply <strong>of</strong><br />
ROW'S EMBROCATION.<br />
For over forty years nothing hns been introduced to the Squatter or Farmer that has come up to<br />
ROW'S EMBROCATION,<br />
For it is to be relied upon ns a remedy in all kinds <strong>of</strong> accidents. It will cure Rhemati,m and Gout.<br />
Hundreds use it for Scalds and Sunburns. You can't apply it wrongly. The first Veterinary<br />
Surgeon _<strong>of</strong> the day recommends ROW'S EllfBROCATION as an infallible remedy for<br />
Sprams, Galls, Splillter,, Swellings, Stiff Joints iu Ilorses, Sore Udders in Cows,<br />
Foot-rot in Sheep, and the Mange in Dogs.<br />
~ For more than forty years this invaluable embrocation hns been before the .A.uetralian public, and<br />
has during tbat period gi,en the greatest satisfaction to nll who have used it.<br />
Sold by all CHEMISTS and STOREKEEPERS throughout the Colonies. 3s. 6d. per boUlc.<br />
TAKE NO MORE PILLS, BUT TRY<br />
RANDERSON'S PODOPHYLLIN LOZENGES.<br />
Do you suffer from headache? Then try<br />
RANDERSON'S PODOPHYLLIN LOZENGES.<br />
Do you complain <strong>of</strong> indigestion? Take a few closes <strong>of</strong><br />
RANDERSON'S PODOPHYLLIN LOZENGES.<br />
Do you suffer from giddiuess? Spend one shilling, nncl be c'.ll'ecl bv<br />
RANDERSON'S PODOPHYLLIN LOZENGES.<br />
Do you constantly suffer from biliousness? If so, remember<br />
. RANDERSON'S PODOPHYLLIN LOZENGES<br />
Will soon rure you if taken as directed, being the BEST ANTIBILIOUS MEDICINE KNOWN.<br />
Are any <strong>of</strong> your children sick at any time, yon can safely give them one <strong>of</strong> these LOZENGES, for the<br />
small members <strong>of</strong> the human family TA.KE WELL TO LOLLIE, . Remember this, and<br />
always keep a box <strong>of</strong> this .aluable family medicine by you.<br />
Prepared only by the Proprietors,<br />
EDWARD ROW & CO., 45 & 47, GEORGE-ST, SYDNEY.
I<br />
THE RAILWAY·GUIDE<br />
OF<br />
NEW SOUTH WALES.<br />
(FOR THE USE OF TOURISTS, EXCURSIONISTS, AND OTHERS.)<br />
A CONVENIENT VOLUME OF REFERENCE TO RAILWAY ROUTES, STATIONS, AND<br />
PLACES OF INTEREST ON THE LINES OF RAILWAY : CONTAINING<br />
VARIOUS MAPS AND NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS.<br />
THIRD EDITION.<br />
SYDNEY: CHARLES PO'l'TER. GOVERNMENT PRINTER.<br />
<strong>1886</strong>.<br />
[3s.]<br />
Ob 1684-S6
fREFACE.<br />
Tms <strong>Guide</strong> Book is intended as a convenient volume <strong>of</strong> reference for<br />
excursionists and others who travel by <strong>Railway</strong> in New South Wales.<br />
The Introduction contains a short history <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Railway</strong> system<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Colony, and subsequent chapters furnish an outline <strong>of</strong> routes,<br />
and all information as to the various Stations. The illustrated Itinerary,<br />
for the use <strong>of</strong> the traveller in search <strong>of</strong> the picturesque, includes brief<br />
notices <strong>of</strong> places <strong>of</strong> interest which lie within easy reach <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> line, and the Tourists' Map shows the mountainous country<br />
traversed by the Great Western <strong>Railway</strong>, from the Nepean River to<br />
Bowenfels.<br />
The papers descriptive <strong>of</strong> the Fish River Caves, and explaining<br />
the geological formation <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountains, contributed by Mr.<br />
C. S. Wilkinson, F.G.S., will be read with interest, as will also the<br />
treatise by Dr. Woolls, F.L.S., illustrated by Miss Harriet Scott, on<br />
the Flora <strong>of</strong> that part <strong>of</strong> the country. The other illustrations form a<br />
novel and interesting feature <strong>of</strong> the work; they are pictures from Nature,<br />
reproduced by the photo-mechanical processes recently introduced by<br />
Mr. Richards, ex-Government Printer.<br />
The Compiler has to acknowledge his obligations to Messrs.<br />
Burton, Tingle, Lyne, and Wells, from whose descriptive writings he<br />
has derived much valuable information, which he ventures to believe<br />
is now <strong>of</strong>fered to the public in a compendious and convenient form.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.<br />
!.-RISE AND PROGRESS OF RAILWAYS IN NEW SOUTH WALES<br />
PAGE,<br />
1<br />
I!.-<br />
ANALYSIS OF RAILWAY ROUTES-MAIN AND SUBSIDIARY BRANCHES, WITH<br />
STATIONS AND PLATFORMS ...<br />
Routes on the Western Line<br />
Routes on the Southern Line .. .<br />
Routes on the Sydney to Richmond Subsidiary Line<br />
Routes on the Northern Line ...<br />
Routes <strong>of</strong> Subsidiary Lines to Northern Line<br />
Route <strong>of</strong> Main Branch, North-western Line<br />
6<br />
10<br />
12<br />
15<br />
17<br />
21<br />
21<br />
ITINERARY AND DESCRIPTIONR OF SCENERY<br />
(!) Sydney to Granville<br />
(2a) Sydney to Waterfall ...<br />
(3) Parramatta to Bourke ...<br />
(4) Wallerawang to Mudgee<br />
(5) Granville to Albury<br />
(6) Junee to Hay ...<br />
(7) Sydney vid, Blacktown to Richmond<br />
(8) Newcastle to Glen Innes<br />
(9) Subsidiary Branch Lines to Northern Line<br />
(10) North-western Line ...<br />
22<br />
24<br />
32<br />
79<br />
81<br />
99<br />
101<br />
103<br />
119<br />
119<br />
APPENDIX.<br />
The geological formations <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountains<br />
Remarks on the Flora <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountains<br />
The Fish River or Jenolan Caves ...<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> Maps<br />
127<br />
.. 128<br />
.. 144<br />
149
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.<br />
L<strong>of</strong>tus Heights, National Park to face page 1<br />
Lake George 14<br />
George's River ... 26<br />
<strong>Guide</strong> Map to National Park<br />
Nepean River ... 34<br />
Emu Plains, from Lucasville ...<br />
Residence <strong>of</strong> A. H. McCulloch, Esq., M.P.<br />
Wentworth Falls<br />
Cunimbla Valley ,,<br />
Katoomba Falls 46<br />
" Carrington Hotel " ...<br />
Jamison's Valley 46<br />
Govett's Leap ... 56<br />
Lithgow Valley Zigzag 65<br />
Menangle Bridge 83<br />
Fitzroy Falls<br />
Lake Bathurst ...<br />
"<br />
" "<br />
"<br />
"<br />
"<br />
"<br />
"<br />
" ,, "<br />
Mulwarrie Viaduct ,,<br />
Singleton Bridge<br />
MacDonald River and Bridge<br />
PAGE,<br />
27<br />
36<br />
38<br />
41<br />
45<br />
46<br />
,. 88<br />
"<br />
"<br />
" " "<br />
90<br />
90<br />
107<br />
115
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.<br />
THE favourable reception which the <strong>Railway</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> has met with, and<br />
the increasing demand for it, have made it necessary to publish a<br />
second edition. Advantage has been taken <strong>of</strong> the opportunity to bring<br />
the information to the latest date, and to include additional illustrations,<br />
witn the object <strong>of</strong> making the volume more useful and attractive.<br />
This work will be found to be a convenient and valuable volume<br />
<strong>of</strong> reference for excursionists and others who travel by <strong>Railway</strong> in<br />
New South Wales.<br />
The introduction contains a short history <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Railway</strong><br />
System <strong>of</strong> the Colony, and subsequent chapters furnish an outline <strong>of</strong><br />
routes and all information as to the various stations. The Illustrated<br />
Itinerary, for the use <strong>of</strong> travellers in search <strong>of</strong> the picturesque, includes<br />
brief notices <strong>of</strong> places <strong>of</strong> interest which lie within easy reach <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> Line.<br />
The papers descriptive <strong>of</strong> the Fish River Caves, and explaining<br />
the geological formation <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountains, contributed by Mr.<br />
C. S. Wilkinson, F.L.S., will be read with interest, as will also the<br />
treatise by Dr. Woolls, F.L.S., illustrated by Miss Harriet Scott, on<br />
the Flora <strong>of</strong> that part <strong>of</strong> the country.<br />
As the <strong>Railway</strong>s are further extended, fresh editions will be<br />
issued, with additional illustrations and descriptions.
L<strong>of</strong>tus Heights, National PArk.
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.<br />
1.-RISE AND PROGRESS OF RAILWAYS IN NEW SOUTH WALES,<br />
Early History.-The first combined movement<br />
on the subject <strong>of</strong> introducing <strong>Railway</strong>s<br />
into New South Wales took place in January,<br />
1846. On the 29th <strong>of</strong> that month a<br />
public meeting was held in Sydney, and a<br />
Committee appointed, who, on the 26th<br />
August, reported that, from the best ascertained<br />
data as to the products, population,<br />
and traffic, they believed that a line from<br />
Sydney to Goulburn might be constructed<br />
at £6,000 per mile, and that a net pr<strong>of</strong>it <strong>of</strong><br />
8 per cent. might be anticipated on the<br />
capital expended. In the beginning <strong>of</strong> 1848<br />
a survey <strong>of</strong> the line to Goulburn was completed<br />
by Mr. W oore. In April, in the<br />
same year, a petition, based on this report,<br />
was presented to the Legislative Council,<br />
and referred to a Select Committee, <strong>of</strong> which<br />
Mr. Charles Cowper* was Chairman. A<br />
report was brought up, and on the 15th<br />
June the Council passed a series <strong>of</strong> resolutions<br />
to the effect that the period had<br />
arrived for the formation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Railway</strong>s in the<br />
Colony, and that it was expedient for the<br />
Government to <strong>of</strong>fer some inducements to<br />
encourage private enterprise. The resolutions<br />
were transmitted to the Secretary <strong>of</strong><br />
State by the Governor-General, with a<br />
recommendation that the encouragement<br />
asked for should be granted. On the 11 th<br />
Septem her, 1848, a Provisional Committee<br />
was appointed, and in November the<br />
prospectus <strong>of</strong> the " Sydney Tramroad and<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> Company" was issued. The capital<br />
was £100,000, and interest for ten years at<br />
5 per cent. was guaranteed by the Government.<br />
The expressed intention <strong>of</strong> the projectors<br />
was that a main trunk line should<br />
* Afterwards the Hon. Sir Charles Cowper,<br />
K.C.M.G., now deceased.<br />
be carried from Sydney to the point from<br />
which it might afterwards he determined<br />
that the Southern and ·western or Northwestern<br />
branches respectively should diverge.<br />
Eventually it was intended to augment the<br />
capital in order to carry the line to Goulburn,<br />
and, if found practicable, to Bathurst<br />
also.<br />
On the 13th November, 1849, the first<br />
general meeting <strong>of</strong> the shareholders was<br />
held, and the Sydney <strong>Railway</strong> Company<br />
(incorporated by Act <strong>of</strong> 13 Victoria) then<br />
entered on its duties, and was managed by<br />
a Directory elected by the shareholders.<br />
The survey <strong>of</strong> the line from Sydney to<br />
Parramatta and Liverpool was completed in<br />
December, 1849, and on 8th January, 1850,<br />
the first report <strong>of</strong> the Directors was read.<br />
It congratulated the shareholders on their<br />
position and prospects ; and notwithstanding<br />
the apathy <strong>of</strong> some persons and the undisguised<br />
hostility <strong>of</strong> others, the Directors<br />
entertained the fullest confidence as to the<br />
ultimate success <strong>of</strong> the undertaking. The<br />
sum <strong>of</strong> £10,000, required by the Act to be<br />
raised before the Company could commence<br />
operations, having been paid into the<br />
Colonial Treasury, the Directors lost no time<br />
in breaking ground. On 3rd July, 18 0,<br />
the first turf <strong>of</strong> the first <strong>Railway</strong> in the<br />
Australian Colonies was turned by the<br />
Honorable Mrs. Keith Stewart, in the presence<br />
<strong>of</strong> her father, Sir Charles Augustus<br />
Fitz Roy, and a large concourse <strong>of</strong> inhabitants.<br />
The financial prospects <strong>of</strong> the Company,<br />
however, soon become so gloomy that the<br />
Directors found it necessary to make a<br />
A
2<br />
THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
general reduction in the salaries <strong>of</strong> their<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficers. The Directors complained <strong>of</strong> the<br />
obstacles they met with, and stated that, but<br />
for the countenance and support <strong>of</strong> the<br />
local Government, they should feel disposed<br />
to abandon a post which was beset at. every<br />
stage with difficulties and discouragements<br />
<strong>of</strong> no ordinary kind. In this unpromising<br />
position <strong>of</strong> their affairs the first contract for<br />
41 miles from Haslern's Creek towards Sydney<br />
was accepted. The progress <strong>of</strong> the work<br />
continued satisfactory until the discovery <strong>of</strong><br />
gold in the Bathurst district upset the calculations<br />
<strong>of</strong> the contractor and the Directors,<br />
threatening the former with ruin and entailing<br />
much anxiety on the latter, from the<br />
sudden and unexampled rise in the price <strong>of</strong><br />
labour and materials. Under these circumstances<br />
the Directors ,vere induced to release<br />
the contractor from his agreement, without<br />
enforcing the penalties for non-fulfilment.<br />
The <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>of</strong> Mr. Randal, the contractor, to<br />
carry out the works to Ashfield, and subsequently<br />
to Parramatta, at a schedule <strong>of</strong> prices,<br />
was afterwards accepted, and as the attractions<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Gold-fields continued to diminish<br />
the supply <strong>of</strong> labour in Sydney, the Government<br />
agreed to import 500 labourers from<br />
England. An additional loan <strong>of</strong> £150,000<br />
was obtained from the Government, in the<br />
proportion <strong>of</strong> three-fifths <strong>of</strong> public money to<br />
two-fifths subscribed, on condition that the<br />
Government should have the power to name<br />
one-half <strong>of</strong> the Directors. The Company had<br />
- now reached the last stage <strong>of</strong> its existence,<br />
and its affairs were under the .direction <strong>of</strong> a<br />
Board, partly elected by the shareholders and<br />
partly nominated by the Government.<br />
At the first half-yearly meeting, on 17th<br />
January, 1854, the Directors stated that from<br />
the enormous rise in wages and materials<br />
tbti cost <strong>of</strong> the line to Parramatta would be<br />
increased from £218,420, as estimated in<br />
1853, to £320,000, besides £69 OOO for the<br />
Darling Harbour works. To l)rovide for<br />
this, the capital was increased by £100 OOO<br />
and an additional loan <strong>of</strong> £150,000 obt~inetl<br />
from Government, on the same terms as the<br />
former loan. The estimate <strong>of</strong> £320 OOO for<br />
the line to Parrarnatta was made id anticipation<br />
<strong>of</strong> a fall in the rate <strong>of</strong> wa()'es · but<br />
instead <strong>of</strong> falling they continued to ~·is:. and<br />
in January, 1855, the Engineer hac~ ~o<br />
increase his estimate to £500,000. This<br />
startling announcement must have satisfied<br />
the shareholders <strong>of</strong> the hopelessness <strong>of</strong> carrying<br />
out the works at a pr<strong>of</strong>it, and prepared<br />
them for a transfer <strong>of</strong> the property to the<br />
Government.<br />
W11ile the Sydney <strong>Railway</strong> Company was<br />
struggling with the unprecedented difficulties<br />
<strong>of</strong> the times, and leaning on the strong arm<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Government for support, a movement<br />
took place in 1853 for the construction <strong>of</strong><br />
a line <strong>of</strong> <strong>Railway</strong> between Newcastle ancl<br />
.J.f aitland.<br />
A Provisional Committee was appointed<br />
on 20th April, and a capital <strong>of</strong> £100,000<br />
subscribed on the spot. \Vith flattering<br />
anticipations, and the promise <strong>of</strong> aid from<br />
the Government, the Hunter River <strong>Railway</strong><br />
started into life; but after an existence <strong>of</strong><br />
little more than a year, which was necessarily<br />
exhausted in preliminary arrangements, this<br />
Company had also to yield to the pressure<br />
<strong>of</strong> the times, and be swallowed up by tho<br />
Government.<br />
<strong>Railway</strong>s <strong>of</strong> N. S. Wales when transferred<br />
to the Government.-Accordingly,<br />
under the Act 18 Victoria No. 4.0, the porperties<br />
<strong>of</strong> both the Companies wore transferred<br />
to the Government, the Hunter RiYer<br />
at par, and the Sydney <strong>Railway</strong> with a bonus<br />
<strong>of</strong> 7 per cent. added. From the elate <strong>of</strong> these<br />
transfers the <strong>Railway</strong>s became the property <strong>of</strong><br />
the Government, and have since been carried<br />
out under the superintendence <strong>of</strong> Government<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />
The <strong>Railway</strong>s <strong>of</strong> New 'outh \Vales, though<br />
essentially one entire concern, as the property<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Government, are at present<br />
separated into two great divisions, viz., the<br />
Southern and \Vestern <strong>Railway</strong> and the<br />
Northern <strong>Railway</strong>-the one having its principal<br />
terminus at 'ydney, the other at ewcastle,<br />
upwards <strong>of</strong> 60 miles apart. Parliament<br />
has, however, authorized the construction <strong>of</strong><br />
a line to connect the Northern with the<br />
Southern system, and the work is now in<br />
progress. ·
NEW SOUTH WALES. 3<br />
The line from Sy
4 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
Valley, the Clarence tunmil, and the tunnels<br />
at Lithgow Valley Zigzag, Morangaroo, and<br />
under the Mudgee Road, and the bridges<br />
over Solitary Creek at Tarana, over the<br />
Macquarie River at Bathurst, "\V ellington,<br />
and Dubbo; on the Northern line-the<br />
handsome bridges over the Hunter at Singleton<br />
and Aberdeen, the bridge over the Macdonald,<br />
and the tunnels through the Liverpool<br />
and Moonbi Ranges.<br />
Summit elevations.-The summit elevations<br />
above high-water-mark at Sydney on<br />
the different lines are 2,357 feet on the<br />
Southern, 3,658 feet on the Western, and<br />
4,525 feet on the Northern.<br />
in the aid <strong>of</strong> electricity for that purpose.<br />
For the first mass 3-i tons <strong>of</strong> blasting powder<br />
were employed, and the Superintendent <strong>of</strong><br />
Telegraphs (Mr. E. C. Cracknell) succeed~d<br />
in firing the blast, which tore the moun~am<br />
asunder, heaving huge masses <strong>of</strong> rock mto<br />
the valley, and leaving the face <strong>of</strong> the parent<br />
mountain almost as smooth as if it had been<br />
cut with chisels. The removal <strong>of</strong> the second<br />
mass-the blowing up <strong>of</strong> a tunnel-for which<br />
3} tons <strong>of</strong> powder were used, was successfully<br />
accomplished also by galvanic agency; the<br />
electric spark having been communicated to<br />
the powder by the hand <strong>of</strong> the Countess <strong>of</strong><br />
Belmore, in the presence <strong>of</strong> His Excellency<br />
the Governor, and a large concourse <strong>of</strong> spectators<br />
who had assembled to witness the<br />
effects <strong>of</strong> the explosion.<br />
Zigzags at Emu Plains and Lithgow<br />
Valley.- The principal objects <strong>of</strong> interest on<br />
our <strong>Railway</strong>s are t.he Zigzags at Emu Plains<br />
and Lithgow Valley on the Western line.<br />
Since the opening <strong>of</strong> the line to Bowenfels<br />
thousands <strong>of</strong> tourists from all lands have<br />
visited these works, and expressed unbo.unded<br />
admiration at the rugged grandeur <strong>of</strong> the<br />
scenery, and the engineering skill and pluck<br />
displayed in designing and constructing these<br />
stupendous works, which are probably not<br />
surpassed on any Rail way in the world. But<br />
a description or even an inspection <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Lithgow Valley Zigzag gives only an imperfect<br />
idea <strong>of</strong> the difficulties that had to be<br />
encountered, and the vast amount <strong>of</strong> work<br />
that had to be performed, before it was hewn<br />
into its present shape. From the Clarence<br />
Tunnel to the bottom <strong>of</strong> the valley there is<br />
a descent <strong>of</strong> 470 feet, throucrh a deep and<br />
rugged ravine, where forme~·ly there was<br />
scarcely footing for the mountain goat, and<br />
where the surveyor's assistants had occasionally<br />
to be suspended by ropes in the performance<br />
<strong>of</strong> their perilous duties · but human<br />
skill and enterprise have open~d a pathway<br />
through these broken mountain ran cres for<br />
the railway train that now travers~s the<br />
sides <strong>of</strong> the mountain on a gradient <strong>of</strong> 1 in<br />
42. In the execution <strong>of</strong> these works two<br />
gigantic masses <strong>of</strong> rock-the one esLi~ated<br />
to contain 40,000 and the other 45,000 tons<br />
-had to be. l?lasted ; and the contractor,<br />
after calculatm.g the cost, determined to call<br />
StatisticalandDescriptive.-Thefollowing<br />
statistical and descriptive information will<br />
be read with interest. It forms the summary<br />
<strong>of</strong> the transactions for the year 1885, and is<br />
taken from the Report <strong>of</strong> the Commissioner<br />
for <strong>Railway</strong>s, Charles A. Goodchap, Esq. Mr.<br />
Goodchap reports that: "The expenditure for<br />
construction on lines open was £21,831,276.<br />
At the encl <strong>of</strong> December, 1885, 1,732 miles <strong>of</strong><br />
line were open for traffic, and 407 miles were in<br />
the course <strong>of</strong> construction, while an additional<br />
1,28.2 miles have been authorized. The rollinO'<br />
stock at the end <strong>of</strong> 1885 consisted <strong>of</strong> 390<br />
locomotives, 856 coaching an
NEW SOUTH WALES. 5<br />
Progressive Utility and Financial Con~<br />
dition.-The following carefully prepared<br />
and authentic Tabular View <strong>of</strong> the Progressive<br />
Utility and Financial Condition <strong>of</strong><br />
the <strong>Railway</strong>s <strong>of</strong> New South vV ales, from the<br />
opening <strong>of</strong> the trunk line to Parramatta in<br />
1855 to 31st December, 1885, will be appreciated<br />
by all thoughtful readers.<br />
rn<br />
8~ So 1'll<br />
i~ 00 O< H E-1 ~o<br />
0<br />
E-1<br />
gj<br />
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~<br />
i::<br />
...,.,<br />
"Cl.<br />
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oop.<br />
Cl) 0<br />
P.:-;:: ~~ be bn.£ ro ·e<br />
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bl)OO ~<br />
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~f;,:1 ~E-1 ~fa:1E-i<br />
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Q) ell 0<br />
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6<br />
THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
11.- ANALYSIS OF RAILWAY ROUTES- MAIN AND SUBSIDIARY BRANCHES, WITH<br />
STATIONS AND PLATFORMS.<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> System in New South Wales.<br />
-The <strong>Railway</strong> system <strong>of</strong> New South Wales<br />
consists <strong>of</strong> three trunk lines at present,<br />
one <strong>of</strong> which is unconnected with the other<br />
two: (1) The Great Southern line; (2)<br />
the Great Western line ; and ( 3) the Great<br />
Northern line. The Son them line starts<br />
from Sydney, and has, as a trunk line, a<br />
southerly direction from Granville;. up to<br />
which station it runs in common with the<br />
W estern. The W estern li:o.e also starts from<br />
Sydney, but diverges from the Sonthem line<br />
at Granville (13 miles distant from Sydney).<br />
The Northern line starts from Newcastle, and<br />
has its terminus at present at Glen Innes.<br />
(1) Taking the W estern line first, it may<br />
thus be briefly described :<br />
The Western line (by a north-westerly<br />
turn) passes through Parramatta, and has,<br />
for the most part, a westerly direction till it<br />
comes to Bathurst, 145 miles from Sydney.<br />
Its general direction is then north-westerly<br />
until it reaches Orange, 47 miles further.<br />
Thence the course <strong>of</strong> this line is due north to<br />
Wellington, and from Wellington north-west<br />
to Bourke. On the Western line there are,<br />
including the termini at Bourke and at<br />
Sydney,* eighty-two stations, and other occasional<br />
stopping places, for the dista,nce <strong>of</strong><br />
503 miles. At the Blacktown Junction the<br />
Blacktow1~ to Richmond branch joins the<br />
-Yf./ estern line. This subsidiary branch, 16<br />
miles in length, has a north-westerly direction<br />
from Blacktown, and has four distinct<br />
stations, and one platform or stopping-place.<br />
There is a second branch line from vV allerawang<br />
Station to Mudgee (85 miles). This<br />
branch takes a north-westerly direction from<br />
Wallerawang, and a third, recently opened,<br />
the Molong branch, running from Orange to<br />
* That is, taking in the trunk line from Sydney<br />
t o Parramatta Junction, common to both the<br />
\Vestern ancl Southern Lines.<br />
Molong, a distance <strong>of</strong> 21 miles. B sicl<br />
these branch lines there arc tramways that<br />
feed the line at intervals-with road m ta,1<br />
at Emu Plains, shale at Hartl y Vale sidiurr,<br />
and with coal at Lithgow and Katoomba.<br />
(2.) The Southern line has _for ah ut<br />
100 miles ( from Parramatta J unct10n to the<br />
neighbourhood <strong>of</strong> Marnlan) a south-s uthwesterly<br />
direction. From Maru]an t th<br />
station at Bethungra (about 154 mil s) th<br />
general direction <strong>of</strong> this lino is, for the m st<br />
part, westerly, with a marked south rly<br />
deflection, first for Yass, and finally towar ls<br />
Albury on the Murray. An important<br />
branch, called the South-west rn ]in , starts<br />
from Junee on the Great Southern lin , and<br />
thence runs to Hay, one <strong>of</strong> the most important<br />
towns in Riverina. The distance from Jun<br />
to Hay is 167 miles, and from ydnoy to<br />
Hay 455. In addition there is a branch<br />
from the South-western line, running from<br />
N arrandra to J erilderie, 65 miles. There are<br />
also three other branch lines, one running<br />
from Goulburn to Bungendore, 43 miles,<br />
being portion <strong>of</strong> the line to Cooma, a lin<br />
from Murrumburrah to Young being its first<br />
section <strong>of</strong> the line now under construction<br />
to connect the Southern and Vv estern systemR,<br />
and a line from Cootamundra to Gundagai.<br />
On the Southern and South-western line there<br />
are 116* stations, and other occasional stopping-places.<br />
( 3.) The Great Northern line ( the eastern<br />
terminus <strong>of</strong> which is at N ewca tle, about<br />
60 miles north <strong>of</strong> Sydney Heads) has, for the<br />
most part, a north-westerly direction, with a<br />
south-westerly deflection between ·west Maitland<br />
and Muswellbrook. Its extreme lenrrth<br />
from Newcastle to Glen Innes, the pr sent<br />
terminus, is 3:23 miles. On thi Northern<br />
line there are-includinrr the termini at 1 len<br />
* Including the uburl an line.
ANALYSIS OF ROUTES. 7<br />
Innes and at Newcastle-sixty-one stations<br />
and other occasional stopping-places for the<br />
extreme distance traversed. On this line<br />
there is one main branch-the Northwestern-starting<br />
from W erris Creek, and<br />
terminating at N arrabri, a distance <strong>of</strong> 97<br />
miles. This branch has eight stopping-places.<br />
There are also three subsidiary branches :<br />
First, one from Newcastle to Bullock Island,<br />
vil1 Honeysuckle Point, to the northward,<br />
1 t mile ; second, one from Newcastle to<br />
Wallsend, on the southern side <strong>of</strong> the line ;<br />
and third, one from East Maitland to<br />
Morpeth, on the north side <strong>of</strong> the line, 4<br />
miles. (1.) The first subsidiary line is near<br />
Newcastle, and is used for mineral traffic.<br />
(2.) The second subsidiary branch (W allsend<br />
Junction), running south-westerly, commences<br />
l} mile west <strong>of</strong> the Waratah Station, and is<br />
in length 4! miles. The W allsend branch is<br />
principally used for mineral traffic. (3.) The<br />
third subsidiary branch is the Maitland and<br />
Morpeth branch, which rum from East Maitbnd<br />
to Morpeth (north-easterly) 4 miles.<br />
The <strong>Railway</strong>s <strong>of</strong> the Colony, with one<br />
exception, nre owned by tbe Stat0; the only<br />
private line in opemtion is that running<br />
frou1 Deniliquin in the Riveriua district to<br />
the town <strong>of</strong> Moama, on the banks <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Murray, where it connects with a branch <strong>of</strong><br />
the Victorian <strong>Railway</strong>s.· This line which<br />
since its inception has been very successful<br />
is laid on the same gauge as the Victorian<br />
system, viz., 5 feet 3 inches. The Government<br />
<strong>Railway</strong>s are laid to the standard gauge<br />
<strong>of</strong> 4 feet 8! inches. It is to be regretted<br />
that at the commencement <strong>of</strong> their <strong>Railway</strong><br />
history the adjoining Colonies <strong>of</strong> New South<br />
Wales and Victoria should have adopted<br />
different gauges; the inconvenience that this<br />
entails has been practically demonstrated<br />
since the <strong>Railway</strong> systems were connected<br />
on the banks <strong>of</strong> the Murray, at Albury, a<br />
transfer <strong>of</strong> the traffic between the Colonies<br />
being necessary at this junction.<br />
Further inconvenience will be felt very<br />
shortly when the Queensland and New South<br />
Wales <strong>Railway</strong>s will be connected, the<br />
Queensland lines throughout being laid to<br />
the narrow gauge <strong>of</strong> 3 feet 6 inches, and consequently<br />
it will be necessary to have a<br />
changing station at the border <strong>of</strong> the two<br />
Colonies, and transfer all passengers and<br />
goods.<br />
In addition to the <strong>Railway</strong> lines open,<br />
which will be fully described, the following<br />
brief particulars will be found interesting<br />
respecting the extensions which are now<br />
(June, <strong>1886</strong>) in progress.<br />
Starting from Sydney, the first extension<br />
met with is that from Sydney to the Illawarra<br />
district. The first section is open, while the<br />
remaining portion is under construction ; but<br />
it will be some time before the whole line is<br />
completed. From Homebush the line starts<br />
which is to connect the Southern with the<br />
Northern system at W amtah ; the distance<br />
between the two places is 93 miles, which<br />
is under construction. On this extension<br />
the most extensive bridges in the Colony,<br />
viz., across the river Hawkesbury, will require<br />
to be constructed. The sinking for<br />
the cy lindern is said to be the deepest in the<br />
world for bridge work.<br />
On the Southern line the first section ( 40<br />
miles) <strong>of</strong> the extension from Goulburu to<br />
Oooma is open, while tl1e remaining portion<br />
is under construction.<br />
The first section <strong>of</strong> the extension to conn.ect<br />
the Southern and Western <strong>Railway</strong>s, from<br />
Harden to Young, 18 miles, is open; the<br />
remainder is under construction.<br />
The Northern line is heing actively pushed<br />
forward from Glen Innes to Tentertield, 58<br />
miles, and should be ready for opening at<br />
the end <strong>of</strong> the year.<br />
The above complete analysis <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Railway</strong><br />
system <strong>of</strong> New South Wales, as it at present<br />
exists, may be illustrated (and will perhaps<br />
be rendered more easily understood) by a<br />
perusal <strong>of</strong> the Tabular View in pages following.
8 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
Tabular View in Analyst's <strong>of</strong> <strong>Railway</strong> Routes.<br />
The Western Trunk Line-<br />
(SYDNEY (Terminm)<br />
Eveleigh<br />
1,f'Donalp, Toten ..•,., ... ,., ... ,, .. , .• ,.. , .. ·,,,,.,,·, .. 1//awarra Section-<br />
Newtown<br />
(St. Peters<br />
l<br />
. j Marrickville<br />
~ Tempe<br />
f;E~;;~ill<br />
~ Arnclifie<br />
E! Ashfield<br />
tl Rockdale<br />
tl -< Croyden<br />
i Kogarah<br />
Proposed Branch to con- ~ lBurwood<br />
nect Northern Line from i;<br />
lHurstville<br />
Redmyre<br />
t!<br />
here ...... •.. •.. , ...... · ;e Homebush<br />
Como<br />
:::: Sutherland<br />
CIJ Rookwood<br />
""' L<strong>of</strong>tus<br />
A.11b1irn<br />
Waterfall<br />
g~~ille ........... , .. The Southern Main Branch<br />
PARRAMATTA<br />
or<br />
The Southern Line-<br />
( 1,f errtJland8<br />
Guildford,<br />
Fairfield<br />
Canley Vale<br />
Cal>ramatta<br />
Liverpool<br />
Glenfield<br />
Macquarie Fields<br />
Jfinto<br />
Campbellto\Vl}<br />
Menangle<br />
Douglas Park<br />
Picton<br />
Picton Lake,<br />
Rush's<br />
Mittagong<br />
Bowral<br />
Burradoo<br />
j ~:;6;:;ite<br />
~ if!Z/:noon<br />
! Cable's Siding<br />
.:; Barber'B Creek<br />
.~ ~:~::<br />
0 .; • ~ Towrang<br />
..., s {Joppa Junction .... ,, .... f NGoourtLhBUGRoNulburn. (Line to Cooma under construction from here.)<br />
f] Bangalore ..,<br />
;e ., Lake Ba.thurst ~ Yarra<br />
;:::; ~ Tarn"'O g Breda/bane<br />
~ § BUNGENDORE CIJ Fish River<br />
i::q ~ Gunning<br />
Jerrawa<br />
';; t{<br />
0<br />
Demondrille Junction<br />
~ ;e Currawong<br />
1- .._o YOUNG<br />
~'"1<br />
~ -~ ( Brawlin ...... , . , , •• , , , , •, ..<br />
~ g, ) Mnttama<br />
§~) Colve<br />
!: § l GUNDAGAI<br />
~QI<br />
8~<br />
.~ Yass<br />
~ Bowning<br />
f Rinalong<br />
.., Galong<br />
~ Rocky Ponds<br />
g Cunningar<br />
••• • C/.2 HARDEN. (Line to connect the Southern nnd Western Lines under<br />
i Mur~~:i~~~n from here.)<br />
Wallendbeen<br />
Cootamundra.<br />
l,fullally's Siding<br />
Cungegong<br />
Bethungra<br />
i<br />
Illabo<br />
,Junee............ ...... .,<br />
Barefield '.~<br />
{Old Junee<br />
Bomen<br />
1,farrar<br />
"-I Coolaman<br />
W AOOA WAOGA f ;,;, Grong Grong<br />
Sandy Creek ~ ~ Narrandera •. ...• , . ~ .. {Colombo<br />
Hanging Rock : .l:l The Qttarry ·i:: • Widgiewa<br />
Yerong Creek ~ .S Hulong ~ ~ Coonong<br />
Culcairn ~ Darlington ~ ~ Bundure<br />
Gerogery 5 Carathool ,!i Yathong<br />
Yambla riJ HAY . ~ JERILDERIE<br />
Ettam-0gah<br />
ALBURY<br />
N.B.-Tbe ordinary places are in plain type, the more important tations in small capitals, and the platforms in italics.
ANALYSIS OF ROUTES.<br />
9<br />
Tabular View z'n Analysis o/ <strong>Railway</strong> Routes-continued.<br />
The Western Line-<br />
Richmond Subsidiary (Seven Hills<br />
. Branch .. • ••••" • ••" •' BLACKl'OWN<br />
R1verstone<br />
Rooty Hill<br />
M1;1lgrave<br />
South Creek<br />
Wmdsor<br />
Parkes<br />
Clarendon<br />
Penrith<br />
RICHMOND<br />
Emu Plains<br />
Lucasville<br />
Glenbroolc late Brookdale<br />
Blaxland late Wascoe's<br />
The Valley ,<br />
Springwood<br />
I Faulconbridge<br />
Numantia<br />
Linden<br />
Woodford<br />
Lawson late Blue Moun.<br />
I<br />
I<br />
W ~f!orth Falls late<br />
Weatherboard<br />
Katoomba<br />
Black heath<br />
~ I MOUNT VICTORIA<br />
~ Hartley Vale-Tramway<br />
.se llfonnt Wilson<br />
.., I Clarence Siding<br />
§ Eskbanlc •<br />
&s Li:thgow-Trarr.way<br />
~ BOWENFELS<br />
Subsidiary Branch '"' I llfarrangaroo<br />
to Mudgee ...... •· .. ~ Wallerawang .. . .. .. . . . . /Piper's Flat<br />
.:: Rydal ~ Ben Bullen<br />
t; Sodwalls ~ Capertee<br />
~ -< Tarana .., llford<br />
~ I Loclcsley late Loclce's & Rylstone<br />
Plat/ orin ~ Lue<br />
!5 Brewongle ..:: Bitnberra .<br />
~ Raglan "" Mudgee<br />
~ I ~!~I~URST<br />
f Orton Park<br />
~ Perth<br />
~ George's Plains<br />
""' Wimbledon<br />
~ Newbridge<br />
~ Blayney<br />
Spring Grove<br />
Spring :am<br />
Huntley ~<br />
~ANG,E .... ... , , . , .. , ..-~ { Cargo Road<br />
.M:u'Ilion Creek ~ Borenore<br />
Kerr's Creek<br />
· Warne<br />
~<br />
,s<br />
Amaros<br />
Molong<br />
lRONilARKS .;;<br />
I<br />
Springs<br />
I WELLINGTON<br />
.IJfaryvale<br />
llf urrumbidgerie<br />
DUBBO<br />
I<br />
Narramine<br />
Trangie<br />
NEVERTIRR<br />
Mitllengudgeon<br />
Nyngan<br />
Girilambone<br />
Coolabah<br />
Glengarij<br />
Byrock<br />
\_BOURKE<br />
"'I<br />
The Northern Trunk Line-<br />
Subsidiary Branch to (NEWCASTLE ( Terminus)<br />
Bullock Island ... ••• 1 Hon~ysuckle Point<br />
Subsidiary Branch to Hanulton<br />
JYall,end............ Waratah·<br />
Sandgate<br />
Hexham<br />
Tarro<br />
Woodford<br />
Subsidiary Branch to I Victoria-street<br />
JIIorpeth "" ••""'· 1 EAST MAITLAND JUNCTION<br />
High-street<br />
WEST MAITLAND<br />
Farley<br />
Lochinvar<br />
Allandale<br />
Greta<br />
Branxton<br />
Belford<br />
I<br />
~<br />
Whitting ham<br />
SINGLETON<br />
Glennie's Creelc<br />
Ravensworth<br />
-~ ~~~:!iree<br />
MuswELLBROOK<br />
f Aberdeen<br />
:S IJ;i,n:<br />
8 Wingen<br />
~ Blandford<br />
~ MURRURUNDI<br />
E-t I Temple Court<br />
Doughboy Hollow<br />
Willow-tree (or Warrah)<br />
Braejield<br />
I<br />
I<br />
Quirmdi<br />
Quipolly<br />
Werris Creek ....... ./Gap<br />
Currabubula f Breeza<br />
I T,HIWORTII ~ Curlewis<br />
Moon bi .; Gunnedah<br />
llfacdona.ld Rii:er ~ -~ Emerald Hill<br />
Walcha Road ,S>.., Boggabri<br />
Kentucky 8 Baan Bah<br />
Uralla ~ Titrrawan<br />
ARMIDAI.E<br />
NARRABRI<br />
Inverell<br />
I<br />
l~~~~~long<br />
Ben Lomond<br />
Glencoe<br />
GLEN INNES<br />
under construction to<br />
Tenterfield and<br />
Queensland border.<br />
N.B.-The ordinary places are in plain type, the more important stations in sm:111 capitals, and the pfatforms in italics.
10 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
ROUTES.<br />
R ouTES ON THE WESTERN L INE.<br />
Route No. 1.-From Sydney to Bathurst:<br />
145 miles.-In this route, as on all<br />
others, remember to be at the station from<br />
which yon intend to start (especially should<br />
it be the Sydney terminus) in ample time,<br />
more particularly if you are not alone or have<br />
any luggage. Take the morning train if you<br />
wish to see the varied scenery along the line<br />
on the Blue Mountains* and particularly<br />
that <strong>of</strong> the First Zigzag near Emu P lains,<br />
and the Great Zigzag near Lithgow. Dine<br />
at Mount Victoria refreshment-rooms. The<br />
whole journey occupies about eight hours.<br />
Route No. 2-From Sydney to Oran ge :<br />
192 miles.-Follow directions for Route No.<br />
1, except that you should also take a hasty<br />
" tea" at the refreshment-room at Bathurst,<br />
and come provided with a rug to sleep in<br />
between Bathurst and Orang0. At Orange<br />
there are several excellent hotels. Omnibuses<br />
at the Orange station will convey you anLl<br />
your luggage b any <strong>of</strong> the principal hotels.<br />
Probable time for your journey by this route,<br />
about ten hours.<br />
Route No. 3- From Sydney to Lawson<br />
(formerly Blue Mountain) Station:<br />
58 miles.-Y ou can go by the morning or ·<br />
evening train to the "Blue Mountains." A<br />
fine prospect is ,-isible from the station itself;<br />
and there is diversified and beautiful scenery<br />
* The " Blue Mountains" were first crossed by<br />
Eur~pe.ans in May, 1813, by an adventurous party<br />
consIStmg <strong>of</strong> "Mr. Gregory Blaxland, Mr. \Villiam<br />
Wentworth, and Lieutenant Lawson, attended by<br />
four servants, five dogs, and four horses laden with<br />
provisions, ammunition, and other necessaries."<br />
~hey appear t~ have crossed pretty near the present<br />
line <strong>of</strong> the ra1lroad, previous ineffectual attempts<br />
having been made much further to the southward<br />
'l.'hey got back again to the N epean on the 6th <strong>of</strong><br />
Jt:ne, having apparently got past the Blue Mountarns<br />
as far as f':Ome <strong>of</strong> the plains beyond.-See<br />
J ournal qf a T~u7: <strong>of</strong> Discove1'y, &c., in the yea1'<br />
1813. [The Wilham Wentworth here mentioned<br />
afterwards became the celebrated Australian statesman.]<br />
on hoth sides <strong>of</strong> the line, within 2 mil s<br />
distance either way. On th north sicl arc<br />
Dante's Glen and three wat rfalls,
WESTERN LINE · ROUTES. 11<br />
and Orange, which passes the platform at<br />
vVentworth Falls at an early hour in the afternoon.<br />
You may thus be back in Sydney at<br />
6 p.m., and congratulate yourself upon having<br />
had a short, pleasant, and inexpensive trip.<br />
By starting on a Friday evening, or on a Saturday,<br />
you can get a return ticket at a reduced<br />
rate, available until the Monday for return.<br />
Time <strong>of</strong> journey, rather less than four hours.<br />
Route No. 5-From Sydney to Blackheath<br />
(i.e. "Govett's Leap"): 73 miles.<br />
If you should desire to pay a hasty visit to<br />
the lovely and stupendous gorge and waterfall<br />
usually known by the curiously inexpressive<br />
name <strong>of</strong> "Govett's Leap" (and you do not<br />
particularly care whether you see any other<br />
spot on the occasion or not), take your place<br />
in the train for Blackheath. There are several<br />
accommodation houses here. Govett's Leap<br />
is situated about 1 mile from the line, on<br />
the north side; an easy walk, and an easy<br />
way to :find. Three passenger trains for<br />
Sydney pass Blackheath daily. If you :find<br />
yourself comfortable at Blackheath, and time<br />
permits, you can ride, drive, or walk thence<br />
to Mount Victoria and back, so as to see the<br />
numerom; breaks <strong>of</strong> scenery to the southward<br />
-away over the Cunimb~la Valley--to the<br />
greatest advantage. But you will :find it too<br />
far to visit the Hartley Vale from this standpoint.-Time<br />
<strong>of</strong> journey from Sydney to<br />
Blackheath, about four hours and a half.<br />
Route No. 6-Sydney to Katoomba.<br />
A short time ago Katoorn ba was known to<br />
the general railway travellers as an unimportant<br />
platform; a few, however, were aware<br />
<strong>of</strong> the glorious views that were found in<br />
the neighbourhood, and occasionally tourists<br />
would come here and make their way to the<br />
waterfalls and dells. Subsequently a few<br />
houses were started, and now as if by magic a<br />
township has sprung into existence. A coalmine<br />
and saW··mill are worked, and the place<br />
is becoming one <strong>of</strong> the most important on the<br />
mountains. The traveller can leave town by<br />
any <strong>of</strong> the Western trains, and after a journey<br />
<strong>of</strong> about four hours reach Katoomba, where<br />
excellent accommodation may · be obtained.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the largest hotels in the Colony-the<br />
"Great vVestern" (now "Carrington ")-has<br />
been opened here.<br />
Route No. 7-From Sydney to Mount<br />
Victoria: 77 miles.-Everything is clear<br />
before you in this route, according to the<br />
station lists in the Time-tables, until you<br />
arrive at your destiuation. Mount Victoria<br />
will be for you a good head-quarters, fr_om<br />
which Govett's Leap, at Blackheath, may<br />
conveniently be visited, either by driving in<br />
a buggy, by walking, or by taking advantage<br />
<strong>of</strong> the train. .The distance from Mount<br />
Victoria to Blackheath is only 4 miles by<br />
road or rail. Near Mount Victoria there is<br />
much beautiful and attractive scenery. The<br />
air, being very bracing and remarkably<br />
pleasant, is much recommended for invalids.<br />
In the immediate neighbourhood <strong>of</strong> Mount<br />
Victoria are found the Fairy Dell, the<br />
Engineer's Waterfall, the Little Zigzag ( overlooking<br />
the northern part <strong>of</strong> the Ounimbla<br />
Valley), Mount Piddington, Mount Piddington's<br />
Waterfall and Dell, and many other<br />
picturesque spots. From the back <strong>of</strong> Mrs.<br />
Perry's hotel, past the Protestant Church,<br />
the old road will take you down into the<br />
romantic and secluded vale <strong>of</strong> Hartley, the<br />
peculiar scenery <strong>of</strong> which will well repay a<br />
visit. There is at Hartley, near the two<br />
churches, a decent old-fashioned wayside inn,<br />
kept by Mrs. Evans. The little town, or<br />
rather village, <strong>of</strong> Hartley, on the borders <strong>of</strong><br />
the river Lett (a tributary <strong>of</strong> Cox's River),<br />
is quaint and pretty; and, from the bridge<br />
over the stream <strong>of</strong> the brawling Lett, an<br />
excellently kept road winds north-westerly<br />
up the valley towards Bowenfels-passing<br />
on its way under boldly defined and truly<br />
majestic rocks, known as "Hassan's Walls."<br />
Mount Victoria has a number <strong>of</strong> good hotels,<br />
one <strong>of</strong> which is very large and handsome,<br />
called "The Imperial." If you make Mount<br />
Victoria your head-quarters-as many do-a<br />
day can be set apart for visiting the -YVeatherboard<br />
Gorge and Campbell Cataract, Blackheath,<br />
or Katoomba. Excursions are also<br />
frequently made from Mount Victoria to the<br />
Fish River Caves, the distance being about<br />
30 miles.<br />
Route No. 8-From Sydney to Lithgow<br />
and Bowenfels : 96-97 miles.<br />
Starting from the Sydney terminus, you can<br />
reach the busy, rising town <strong>of</strong> Lithgow in<br />
six hours j the train crossing between Mount
12 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
Victoria and Lithgow, the highest. point<br />
reached by the Western <strong>Railway</strong> - the<br />
Clarence Tunnel-and the celebrated Lithgow<br />
ZiO'zaO', From Lithgow you can make a pleasa~t<br />
10 miles' excursion by going right round<br />
the mountain to the westward and south-westward-where<br />
(thanks to Mr. Henry Cambridge,<br />
the road surveyor, and the energy<br />
and forethought <strong>of</strong> the Public Works Department)<br />
an excellently kept road, past<br />
Hassan's Walls, will bring you down the<br />
valley to Hartley. Or you can go down to<br />
Hartley by a shorter way (about 6 miles)<br />
right over "Brown's Gap" behind the<br />
easternmost end <strong>of</strong> Lithgow, up Clyde<br />
Valley. From the last road ( a very clever<br />
piece <strong>of</strong> practical engineering by Mr. Cambridge)<br />
there is a grand prospect to the<br />
southward, just as you come down into the<br />
valley from the Gap. There are a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> hotels at Lithgow where accommodation<br />
may be obtained.<br />
Note. - Weekly Tourists' Trains.<br />
Once a week opportunities occur for conveniently<br />
visiting Lithgow and Bowenfels by the<br />
tourists' trains, which leave Sydney for<br />
Bathurst on Saturdays at 7 a.m., and return<br />
to the Sydney terminus on the following<br />
Monday morning. This weekly tourists'<br />
train is run at very cheap rates: 1st class 2d.<br />
and 2nd class ld. per mile return, and will<br />
enable persons from the Sydney side to visit<br />
either "Blue Mountains" (Lawson), the<br />
Weatherboard, Blackbeath (Govett's Leap),<br />
Mount Victoria, or Lithgow.<br />
[The above will, it is believed, be found to<br />
be the principal routes for tourists, from<br />
Sydney downwards, on the Main Branch<br />
Western Line. Others may possibly be<br />
suggested, when the different stations and<br />
stopping-places shall, in their respective places<br />
come to be particularized. J<br />
Route No. 9-From Sydney to Goulburn<br />
: 134 miles.-In this route, as on all<br />
others, be sure that you are at the station<br />
from which you intend to start (especially<br />
should it be the Sydney terminus) a full<br />
quarter <strong>of</strong> an hour before the train is to<br />
leave; more particularly so if you are not<br />
alone or have any luggage. Take the<br />
morning train if you wish to enjoy the<br />
varied scenery along the line. You will<br />
be able to dine at Mittagong, which you<br />
will reach about four hours after your train<br />
leaves the Sydney terminus. There is also<br />
a good refreshment room at Goulburn. Be<br />
sure that you get into a carriage that is going<br />
to Goulburn, or to some other placR on the<br />
Southern line ; otherwise, you will have<br />
to look out (sharply) at Gram-ille, and<br />
change into a carriage going South. The<br />
guards-uniformly a civil, trustworthy, and<br />
respectable class <strong>of</strong> men-always warn the<br />
passengers <strong>of</strong> every necessary change, and<br />
occasional stopping-place ; but passengers<br />
(especially ladies) are <strong>of</strong>ten inattentive,<br />
and get " carried on" in consequence-to<br />
ROUTES ON THE SOUTHERN LINE.<br />
the annoyance <strong>of</strong> themselves, and the vexation<br />
and worry <strong>of</strong> everybody else. Goulburn<br />
(a fine, thriving, inland city, the capital<br />
<strong>of</strong> the south-west, with plenty <strong>of</strong> good hotel<br />
accommodation) is a healthy and pleasant<br />
place, and one <strong>of</strong> the prettiest towns in the<br />
Colony. It is the centre <strong>of</strong> a wealthy and<br />
important district, and lies on the border <strong>of</strong><br />
rich and extensive plains.-Time <strong>of</strong> journey<br />
from Sydney to Goulburn, six hours.<br />
Route No. 10-From Sydney to Gunning<br />
: 165 miles.-Follow directions for<br />
Route No. 9. Change your carriage at<br />
Granville for one going on the Southern<br />
line, if you ham not (more wisely) got into<br />
your right carriage at the Sydney terminus.<br />
Dine at the refreshment-rooms at Mitta()'ona<br />
or Goulburn. The district <strong>of</strong> Gunn~()' i~<br />
agricu.ltural and past~ral; the country ~urroundrng<br />
the town berng mountainous with<br />
undulating plains. Probable time <strong>of</strong> jo~rney,<br />
seven hours.
SOUTHERN LINE ROUTES. 13<br />
Route No. 11-From Sydney to Campbelltown:<br />
34 miles.-A cheap and quiet<br />
but delightful jaunt may be improvised by<br />
any tourist from Sydney to Campbelltown,<br />
on the Southern line-distant from the<br />
Sydney terminus only 34 miles. There are<br />
numerous hotels at Campbelltown. It is one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the oldest towns in the Colony, and is<br />
situated in a hilly, well cleared, agricultural<br />
district, celebrated for the salubrity <strong>of</strong> its<br />
climate. The scenery round Campbelltown is<br />
very pretty, especially in the spring and early<br />
summer. From it there are many agreeable<br />
rides and drives, in all directions. The<br />
roads to Camden and to Appin wind, each <strong>of</strong><br />
them, through many charming bits <strong>of</strong> rural<br />
scenery, now, by the general public, neglected<br />
and well-nigh forgotten. A tramway has<br />
also been constructed from Campbelltown to<br />
Camden, 8 miles. The tram runs in conjunction<br />
with the <strong>Railway</strong>, meeting all<br />
pas::;enger trains. Nine miles to the northwestward,<br />
near Camden ( where, in a commanding<br />
situation, there is a magnificent<br />
Anglican church, built by the MacArthur<br />
Family), the country will be found highly<br />
cultivated, undulating, and extremely pleasing.<br />
There is good hotel accommodation at<br />
Camtlen. The district adjacent to Camden is<br />
occupied by graziers and agriculturists; and<br />
there are also, round it, many dairy farms.<br />
Close to that township there is a fine bridge<br />
over the N epean. At Appin, 9 or 10 miles<br />
from Campbelltown, in an opposite direction,<br />
on the Illawarra Road, there are two hotels.<br />
Near this secluded villaae will be found<br />
much curious river scffiery, and (a few<br />
miles south from its two churches) a<br />
singularly wild and rocky pass, adjoining<br />
to which is a deep stream with a dangerous<br />
ford. The water supply for Sydney is to be<br />
drawn from this locality, and the extensive<br />
works are now in progress. Time <strong>of</strong> journey<br />
to Campbelltown from Sydney, rather better<br />
than one hour and a half.<br />
Route No.12-From Sydneyto Menangle<br />
: 40 miles.-(See Route No. 9.)-<br />
This is a station on the Southern Line, G<br />
miles further than Campbelltown. It has<br />
some characteristic park-like scenery, the<br />
country being more open than usual in this<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the Colony. Menangle is much<br />
visited by Sydney excursionists, and deserves<br />
its popularity. Cultivation and grazing farms<br />
on a limited flat and fertile area. You can<br />
go to Menangle from the Sydney terminus in<br />
a very short time, and return in the evening.<br />
The surrounding country is elevated, and<br />
undulates to the foot <strong>of</strong> the mountain range.<br />
The steep ridge known as " Razorback" lies<br />
about 3 miles to the westward. The l<strong>of</strong>tiest<br />
peak in the neighbonrhood is Mount Hunter.<br />
Time <strong>of</strong> journey from Sydney to Menangle,<br />
nearly two hours.<br />
Route No. 13-From Sydney to Picton<br />
: 53 miles.-Y ou can reach Picton by<br />
the train from the Sydney terminus by a<br />
short and pleasant trip. If you require a<br />
cheerful rest and a reviving repose for a few<br />
days, you may secure what you want by a railway<br />
trip to this picturesque village, formerly<br />
known as "Stonequarry." There are three<br />
hotels here suitable for visitors. The viaduct<br />
over the Stonequarry River is a grand piece<br />
<strong>of</strong> masonry. The scenery at Picton chiefly<br />
consists <strong>of</strong> precipitous hills, grassy glades, and<br />
straggling woods. A ramble down the winding<br />
rock-enclosed course <strong>of</strong> the "Stonequarry"<br />
has delighted and astonished many an artist<br />
and man <strong>of</strong> cultivated taste. Near this little<br />
township the train passes through the Gibraltar<br />
tunnel, 572 yards in length. This tunnel is<br />
the longest in the Colony. Time <strong>of</strong> journey<br />
from Sydney to Picton, two hours and a half.<br />
Route No. 14-From Sydney to Mittagong<br />
: 77 miles.-(See Route No. 8.)<br />
y ou can reach Mittagong from the Sydney<br />
terminus after a comparatively short and<br />
agreeable tra:jet. Grand and impressive views<br />
in tl1is neighbourhood, at the Gibraltar Pass,<br />
and pleasing scenery at Bowral and at Bong<br />
Bong. Near Bowral (a thriving township<br />
with a station 3 miles from Mittagong) there<br />
is a long and admirably constructed tunnel.<br />
Between Bowral and Moss Vale a platform<br />
has been established and denominated Burradoo.<br />
The district around is extremely<br />
fertile and pretty, and as it lieR 2,168 feet<br />
above sea-level, the air is pnre and bracing.<br />
This place is much resorted to by families<br />
seeking change <strong>of</strong> air. Time <strong>of</strong> journey from<br />
Sydney to Mittagong, about three hours and<br />
a half.
14 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
Route No. 15--From Sydney to Moss<br />
Vale : 86 miles.-(See Route No. 9. )-The<br />
Sydney tourist to Moss Vale had better take<br />
his wayside refreshment at the Mittagong<br />
station, and secure such hotel accommodation<br />
as he may require here on his arrival. Moss<br />
Vale is considered to be one <strong>of</strong> t.he prettiest<br />
districts in the Colony. The country around<br />
is undulating, very fertile, and has the<br />
appearance <strong>of</strong> an immense English park.<br />
Here a country seat has been secured for the<br />
Governor <strong>of</strong> the Colony, and in the vicinity<br />
are fo-qnd the country seats <strong>of</strong> many influentia1<br />
gentlemen. Good accommodation can be<br />
secured either at Moss Vale or at the township<br />
<strong>of</strong> Sutton Forest, 3 miles out. Moss Vale, on<br />
account <strong>of</strong> its climate, is very much resorted<br />
to by invalids, while those in search <strong>of</strong> the<br />
picturesque will be satisfied by the views <strong>of</strong><br />
glen and waterfall that are to be seen within<br />
easy distance <strong>of</strong> the station. Sportsmen<br />
also may, by journeying some little distance<br />
away, get a splendid day's shooting after either<br />
the marsupials or after the feathered game<br />
that is found in the district. Time <strong>of</strong> journey<br />
from Sydney, rather better than five hours.<br />
Route No. 16-From Sydney to Bungendore:<br />
174 miles.-The recent opening<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Railway</strong> to Tarago and Bungendore<br />
has opened up a unique and delightful district<br />
to the people <strong>of</strong> Sydney and the Colony.<br />
The principal want in the matter <strong>of</strong> scenery<br />
inland is the varied charm that is imparted<br />
to a landscape by the presence <strong>of</strong> water either<br />
in the form <strong>of</strong> lakes or picturesque views, but<br />
in one district this want has been supplied<br />
by the splendid sheets <strong>of</strong> water, known as<br />
Lakes Bathurst and George, which are more<br />
fully described in the itinerary. 'rrains run<br />
daily from the metropolis to the stations<br />
named, and the locality is one <strong>of</strong> much beauty<br />
and fertility, the land in the vicinity <strong>of</strong><br />
the lakes sloping gracefully to meet their<br />
waters, the lakes being also <strong>of</strong>ten thick with<br />
flocks <strong>of</strong> wild fowl and abound with fish. In<br />
addition to the enjoyment that is derived in<br />
viewing the delightful scenery about the<br />
lakes and from boating, fishing, and shooting<br />
on its waters, the district possesses a splendid<br />
climate and will no doubt attract, as facilities<br />
are <strong>of</strong>fered, thousands <strong>of</strong> visitors in search <strong>of</strong><br />
health, sport, and change <strong>of</strong> scene.<br />
N ote.--Weekly Tourists' Trains.<br />
Once a week opportunities oceur for conveniently<br />
visiting Campbelltown, Menangle,<br />
Mittagong, Bowral, Moss Vale, at cheap fares,<br />
by the Tourists' Trains, which leave Sydney<br />
for Goulburn on Saturdays at 8·30 a.m., and<br />
return to Sydney terminus on the following<br />
Monday morning, at a convenient hour.<br />
This train will enable persons from Sydney<br />
to visit either <strong>of</strong> the five above-mentioned<br />
places; but the excursionist should wisely<br />
elect before hand as to which <strong>of</strong> those places<br />
he will stop at, until the return <strong>of</strong> this train<br />
to Sydney.<br />
[The above will, it is believed, be found to<br />
be the principal routes for tourists from<br />
Sydney downwards, on the Main Branch<br />
Southern Line. Others may possibly be<br />
suggested when the different stations and<br />
stopping-places shall, in their regular and<br />
consecutive order, come to be particularized.]
RICHMOND ROUTE. 15<br />
RouTES ON THE SYDNEY TO RICHMOND SuBSIDIAR Y LINE.<br />
Route No. 17-From Sydney to The<br />
Hawkesbury, Wiseman's Ferry, and the<br />
Macdonald River, via Windsor: 100<br />
miles.-If the Sydney tourist wishes to visit<br />
the Haw kesbury* and the Macdonald Rivers,<br />
at a small expenditure <strong>of</strong> time and money,<br />
he had better get a railway ticket to Windsor<br />
at the Sydney terminus some afternoon-say<br />
on a Saturday--and he may then, about<br />
two hours afterwards, find himself in the<br />
pleasant old town <strong>of</strong> Windsor, elsewhere<br />
described. Three miles from the Windsor<br />
Station stands Pitt Town, to the vicinity <strong>of</strong><br />
which the tourist may either walk or go by an<br />
omnibus. From that point on the Hawkesbury,<br />
so reached, a steamer starts. If the<br />
excursionist, avoiding the numerous sinu-<br />
. * ~he Hawkes bury (Deerubbum) is remarkable for<br />
its smgularly tortuous course. Its basin has three<br />
distinct slopes in the eastern watershed-a southern,<br />
eastern, and western. The main stream comes from<br />
the southern slope, and is first called The W ollondilly.<br />
It successively receives the Mulwarree, the<br />
Cookbundoon, the Wingecarribee, the Guinecor<br />
Creek, and the N attai and Cox Rivers, and is then<br />
ca.lled 'The W arragamba. ·when the Cowpasture<br />
River has next contributed its waters the river<br />
becomes known as The N epean, a name which it<br />
bears until its junction with the Grose, which flows<br />
down into the main river through a cleft in the<br />
Blue Mountains. The river so constituted is, from<br />
that point, known as The Hawkesbury, a name first<br />
bestowed in order <strong>of</strong> time on this stream <strong>of</strong> many<br />
aliases. After receiving the South Creek at<br />
Windsor, and then the Colo and the Macdonald<br />
Rivers, the Mangrove Creek and other minor<br />
streams next become its tributaries; the Hawkesbury<br />
finally discharging itself in the Pacific, at<br />
Broken Bay. The entire length <strong>of</strong> the Hawkesbury<br />
is generally estimated at 330 miles (130 miles longer<br />
than the river Severn, in Great Britain), and it<br />
drains a much disconnected area <strong>of</strong> about 9,000<br />
miles. Owing to the immense area drained by the<br />
Hawkesbury, and the flatness <strong>of</strong> the country in the<br />
lower portion <strong>of</strong> its stream (but chiefly, perhaps, in<br />
consequence <strong>of</strong> the confined and winding channel<br />
below Windsor, through which the enormous<br />
volume <strong>of</strong> accumulated waters cannot always with<br />
sufficient velocity be discharged), the lower course<br />
<strong>of</strong> this river is liable to sudden and dangerous floods.<br />
The Hawkesbury received its name from the first<br />
Governor <strong>of</strong> this Colony, Captain A. Phillip, R.N.,<br />
in honour <strong>of</strong> Lord Hawkesbury.<br />
(Connected with the Western Line.)<br />
osities <strong>of</strong> the Hawkesbury, prefers to walk<br />
(or ride) along the road to vViseman's Ferry,<br />
he will .find his line <strong>of</strong> transit about half<br />
the distance-from 24 to 25 miles only.<br />
The scenery, both on the river and on the<br />
road to the east <strong>of</strong> it, is, for the most part,<br />
extremely interesting; but the best way to<br />
see the Hawkesbury is, <strong>of</strong> course, to see it<br />
from the river itself. Portland Head and<br />
Sackville Reach are much admired; but all<br />
along the banks <strong>of</strong> the Hawkesbury, from<br />
vVindsor to Wisernan's Ferry, the frequent<br />
farms and flourishing homesteads give a<br />
cheerful British air to the ever changing<br />
scene. A little way <strong>of</strong>f the road the traveller<br />
by land-at a place known as "Stone<br />
Chimney," about half . way-will .find an<br />
excellent stream <strong>of</strong> water. The " Maroota"<br />
road, on which he journeys, having been<br />
joined by the Great Northern Road, crosses<br />
the Hawkesbury near its celebrated confluence<br />
with the Macdonald, at a place called<br />
Wisernan's Ferry. From the "Ferry" the<br />
Northern Road stretches away northerly,<br />
through a wild and desolate country, to W ollombi.<br />
Two miles before reaching the<br />
Hawkesbury the traveller, by land, has to<br />
keep along a l<strong>of</strong>ty ridge, which, descending<br />
abruptly to the river, discloses a most enchanting<br />
prospect. The Hawkesbury, about a<br />
quarter <strong>of</strong> a mile wide here, sweeps round in<br />
a semicircle; its calm, deep, lake-like expanse<br />
being enclosed on all sides by forest-clad,<br />
precipitous hills. At vViseman's Ferry the<br />
traveller-whether he arrives by the road or<br />
in the little steamer-will find cleared land,<br />
an inn, a school-house, and an old ruined<br />
church. The entrance to the Macdonald<br />
River is about a mile or so below this picturesque<br />
but decayed township. The still<br />
waters <strong>of</strong> the little known Macdonald are<br />
navigable by small craft up to the wharf near<br />
St. Alban's, about 12 miles from the Hawkesbury.<br />
The adjacent levels and banks <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Macdonald are remarkably fertile and beautiful.<br />
8t. Alban's-the only township in the<br />
valley <strong>of</strong> the Macdonald-is secluded and
16 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
picturesque. The houses are built on the<br />
sides <strong>of</strong> the hills surrounding this quaint<br />
little town, in which will be found a stone<br />
church, stores, a smithy, and a comfortable<br />
inn, known as " The Settlers' Arms." From<br />
this convenient stand-point an adventurous<br />
tourist might, after crossing the" Ferry," pay<br />
a visit ( via Snodgrass Valley) to the " Mangrove,"<br />
in the Brisbane Water district. From<br />
the Sydney terminus to Windsor the distance<br />
by rail is 34 miles j from Windsor to Pitt<br />
Town, where the steamer starts on her<br />
riverine voyage, 3 miles j from Pitt Town to<br />
Wiseman's Ferry (by the windings <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Hawkesbury) about 50 miles j from Wiseman's<br />
Ferry to the Wharf near St. Alban's<br />
(on the Macdonald), rather more than 12<br />
miles. Total distance from Sydney (say) 100<br />
miles. The steamer returns from St. Alban's<br />
to Pitt Town almost immediately after her<br />
arrival. This route seems to suggest the<br />
cheapest and most convenient way for any<br />
family or party <strong>of</strong> friends to view the grand<br />
and ever-changing scenery <strong>of</strong> the Vale <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Hawkesbury and <strong>of</strong> that <strong>of</strong> the Macdonald.<br />
The scenery on the Hawkesbury was much<br />
admired by the celebrated novelist Anthony<br />
Trollope, who considered that it compared<br />
favourably with that <strong>of</strong> the Rhine. Excursionists<br />
from Sydney and Parramatta can<br />
easily reach Windsor by the train, and be<br />
conveyed thence to where the steamer liesusually<br />
at Pitt Town. Excursionists for the<br />
Hawkesbury may also leave Sydney by<br />
steamer to Manly, then travel overland to<br />
Newport, from whence steamers start at<br />
intervals, and run up the Hawkesbury. The<br />
visitor can then return to Sydney from<br />
Windsor by rail. Time <strong>of</strong> journey (by rail)<br />
from Sydney to Windsor, about two hours.<br />
Route No. 18-From Sydney to the<br />
Kurrajong Heights, &c., via Richmond:<br />
41 miles :-The Sydney tourist intending to<br />
visit the Kurrajong Mountains (a northeasterly<br />
<strong>of</strong>f-shoot <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountains commonly<br />
so-called) will do well to possess<br />
himself <strong>of</strong> a ticket at the Sydney terminus<br />
some fine afternoon, and tu.king his seat in a<br />
railway carriage he will find himself, about<br />
two hours and a half afterwards, in Richmond,<br />
a very pretty little country town,<br />
elsewhere described. At the Richmond<br />
railway station he can readily hire a commodious<br />
car, in which he may-for a few<br />
shillings-be whirled <strong>of</strong>f, with all due expedition_,<br />
to one <strong>of</strong> the many comfortable<br />
accommodation houses to be found near the<br />
top <strong>of</strong> the Kurrajong. This car, after<br />
leaving Richmond by the cutting near the<br />
Anglican Church, passes over a wide, dreary,<br />
alluvial flat, at the northern limit <strong>of</strong> which<br />
flows the Hawkesbury River (just after the<br />
junction <strong>of</strong> the N epean with the Grose)<br />
and here running easterly. Crossing the<br />
river by an excellent bridge, the traveller<br />
is first taken past the little hamlet q_f Enfield,<br />
through some miles <strong>of</strong> an agreeable, undulating<br />
country, with homesteads, orange<br />
orchardR, and farms j over Wheeney Creek,<br />
past "Lamrock's," and then up the steep<br />
mountain side until he reaches his destination,<br />
Belmore Lodge, or wherever else it<br />
may be that he is determined to go. The<br />
ascent <strong>of</strong> the road after Wheeney Creek is so<br />
sudden that the alteration <strong>of</strong> the atmosphere<br />
to a more bracing and healthy climate<br />
becomes very perceptible, and is, moreover,<br />
strikingly evidenced by a concurrent change<br />
in the vegetation. From the windows <strong>of</strong> his<br />
bedroom on the following morning the tourist<br />
will find himself looking down upon a broad<br />
and partly ·wooded expanse <strong>of</strong> hill country,<br />
on the misty plains beyond which the<br />
Hawkesbury is, here and there, to be seen<br />
winding along towards the Pacific. The<br />
towns <strong>of</strong> Richmond, Windsor, Pitt Town,<br />
Wilberforce, Castlereagh, and Penrith-are<br />
more or less visible j and even the exact site<br />
<strong>of</strong> the metropolis, with its wide-spread<br />
suburbs and adjacent coast ridge, can be<br />
traced (beyond the blue hills <strong>of</strong> Parramatta)<br />
in the extreme distance. In fact nearly<br />
the whole <strong>of</strong> the broad county <strong>of</strong> Cumberland-hemmed<br />
in towards the west and<br />
south by far-<strong>of</strong>f shadowy mountains-lies<br />
before the enraptured view <strong>of</strong> the visitor to<br />
the Kurrajong. At the back <strong>of</strong> Belmore<br />
Lodge an abrupt ascent brings the visitor<br />
to a well-known sylvan seat, whence the<br />
prospect <strong>of</strong> the lower country can be seen<br />
to the greatest advantage. On the summit<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ridge a pretty sheltered path, trending<br />
ea.sterly, leads through the woods to Mr.<br />
Comrie's residence, from the grounds <strong>of</strong><br />
which there is a grand view to the south-
NORTHERN LIN.E ROUTES. 17<br />
ward. When staying at the Kurrajong<br />
the tourist should seize the opportunity <strong>of</strong><br />
visiting "the Vale <strong>of</strong> A voca"; so called from<br />
the "meeting <strong>of</strong> the waters" <strong>of</strong> the Grose<br />
with those <strong>of</strong> a large mountain stream,<br />
unnamed, flowing out <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the many<br />
wild ravine1:1 <strong>of</strong> the Kurrajong. The best<br />
way to view this lovely landscape is to hire<br />
a horse and guide on the Kurrajong, and so<br />
to make a day <strong>of</strong> it. The tourist will first<br />
have to descend the mountain as far as<br />
Lamrock's, and then to turn <strong>of</strong>f and travel<br />
for several miles in a westerly direction.<br />
The Vale <strong>of</strong> A voca 1:1hould be approached<br />
through a gum-tree forest, on a gradual<br />
elevation from the southward, so that<br />
nothing can be anticipated, and thus the<br />
full grandeur and singular beauty <strong>of</strong> the<br />
prospect allowed to burst suddenly upon you.<br />
The Grose comes rapidly down its own<br />
dreadful precipitous gorge to the left, and<br />
the nameless stream hastening to meet it<br />
rushes from the heavily wooded crags <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Kurrajong, down before you from the right.<br />
The last.mentioned stream sweeps onward<br />
past the base <strong>of</strong> the rock on which the<br />
spectator stands, and a mile or so away<br />
unites with the Grose on its headlong course<br />
to the Hawkesbury. In front, many hundred<br />
feet below, a broad densely timbered<br />
green peninsula---the colours s<strong>of</strong>tened by the<br />
dizzy distance, as it rises from the water's<br />
edge into a gentle eminence-contrasts<br />
agreeably with the more sombre outlines <strong>of</strong><br />
the rude dark cliffs and l<strong>of</strong>ty, forest-clad<br />
mountains on either side, forming the frame,<br />
as it were, to this charming picture. "The<br />
meeting <strong>of</strong> the waters" is deemed by all who<br />
have seen it to be well deserving <strong>of</strong> its distinguished<br />
and poetic name: No tourist<br />
should, if possiule, omit to pay a visit to this<br />
locality. There are many agreeaLle rides<br />
and drives about on the Kurrajong, commanding<br />
a great variety <strong>of</strong> mountain and<br />
forest scenery. Time <strong>of</strong> journey (by rail)<br />
from Sydney to Richmond, about two hours<br />
and twenty minutes.<br />
ROUTES ON THE NORTHERN LINE.<br />
I<br />
l<br />
Route No. 19-From Newcastle to<br />
Tamworth: 182 miles.-The tourist who<br />
leaves the Newcastle terminus for Tamworth<br />
will in five hours and three-qun.rters reach<br />
Murrurundi. If he starts by the first train<br />
in the morning he had better take his breakfast<br />
at Singleton, where there is a refreshment-room,<br />
and where all passenger trains<br />
stop for fifteen minutes. If he takes his<br />
departure from Newcastle by the 9 o'clock<br />
morning train (passengers and goods) he may<br />
conveniently dine at Singleton at l ·35 p.m.,<br />
before proceeding to Murrurnndi-which he<br />
will, in that case, reach at about 10 minutes<br />
past 7 in the evening. He will find Murrurundi<br />
a prosperous inland town, situated on<br />
the Page River, which ( conjoined with the<br />
Isis) forms a western tributary to the Hunter.<br />
Leaving M urrurundi he has then before him a<br />
journey <strong>of</strong> 62 miles, and to pass eight stations<br />
and stopping-places before he arrives at his<br />
destination. The first <strong>of</strong> these is Temple<br />
Court Platform, 1 mile from Murrurundi;<br />
the second is Doughboy Hollow, a platform<br />
5 miles further on; the third, Willow-tree<br />
( or Warrah), a station 8 miles further ; the<br />
fourth, Braefield Platform, 6 miles further ;<br />
the fifth, Quirindi station, 4 miles further;<br />
the sixth, Quipolly station, 6 miles further;<br />
the seventh, W erris Creek station, 5 miles<br />
further ; the eighth, Currabubula station,<br />
9 miles further. 18 miles beyond Currabubula.<br />
ttation Tamworth is situated. Of<br />
these stations and stopping-places it may<br />
here be remarked that Quirindi lies on the<br />
northern slope <strong>of</strong> the Liverpool Range, 24<br />
miles from Murrurundi, on the banks <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Quirindi Creek, an eastern tributary <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Namoi River. The line penetrating the<br />
Liverpool Range arrives at Quirindi through<br />
a well-formed tunnel 528 yards long, lined<br />
with brickwork set in Portland cement.<br />
Tamworth stands to the northward from<br />
Quirindi, 38 miles ; Breeza is a small town,<br />
west <strong>of</strong> Quirindi, 25 miles ; and W allabadah,<br />
a pastoral and agricultural settlement, is 16<br />
miles away to the eastward. 1.'ime <strong>of</strong> journey<br />
from Newcastle to Tamworth, eight hours.<br />
.<br />
B
18 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
Route No. 20-Newcastle to Glen<br />
Innes: 323 miles.-Following the directions<br />
given in Route No. 19, the traveller<br />
will after a journey <strong>of</strong> about nine hours from<br />
Newcastle arrive at Tamworth. Leaving<br />
Tam worth, the line passes through very<br />
pretty scenery, running along the valley <strong>of</strong><br />
the Cockburn until Moonbi is reached. Here<br />
the ascent <strong>of</strong> the Moonbi Range is commenced,<br />
and from this station onwards the<br />
line runs almost on a continuous upward<br />
grade, rising over 2,000 feet in 22 miles.<br />
The scenery is wild and diversified throughout,<br />
the mountains clothed with timber<br />
rising bold and majestic on either side. The<br />
.Macdonald River, mileage 217, is crossed by<br />
a substantial iron girder bridge. After a<br />
journey <strong>of</strong> over twelve hours the traveller<br />
arrives at Armidale, the capital and cathedral<br />
city <strong>of</strong> the New England district. From<br />
Armidn1e onward the line rapidly ascends<br />
until it reaches the culminating point at Ben<br />
Lomond, 4,525 feet above sea level, this<br />
being the highest point that the rails are<br />
laid in Australia. The districts passed<br />
through are fertile, and largely qevoted to<br />
agricultural purposes, the climate and surrouudings<br />
almost leading one to imagine he<br />
was back in England-thus leading to the<br />
adoption <strong>of</strong> the title "The New England<br />
District," the produce and fruits common to<br />
England growing here luxuriantly. Glen<br />
Innes is a thriving town, and with the prospect<br />
<strong>of</strong> the railways to Inverell and the Clarence<br />
must become an important centre. It<br />
is a clean-looking place, possessing many<br />
good buildings, and the district <strong>of</strong>fers many<br />
advantages to those journeying for change <strong>of</strong><br />
air, pretty scenery, or health. It is; further,<br />
an important mining centre, large quantities<br />
<strong>of</strong> tin being forwarded from here to the seaboard.<br />
Glen Innes is 110w the terminus <strong>of</strong><br />
the Great Northern <strong>Railway</strong>, but the extension<br />
is in progress to T~nterfield, while<br />
approval has been given for the further<br />
extension to the Queensland border.<br />
Route No. 21-From Newcastle to<br />
Murrurundi: 120 miles.-For directions<br />
on leaving Newcastle for Murrurundi see<br />
Route No. 19 as to dining at SinglEfon, &c.,<br />
&c. Murrurundi-at an elevation <strong>of</strong> 1,546<br />
fees above the sea-level-lies 192 miles north<br />
<strong>of</strong> Sydney, at the foot <strong>of</strong> the Liverpool<br />
Range, 94 miles distant from the nearest<br />
portion <strong>of</strong> the coast from the Pacific. This<br />
town, which has a population <strong>of</strong> 350 souls, is<br />
the centre <strong>of</strong> an extensive and progressive<br />
district, principally devcted to pastoral<br />
pursuits, but endowed with a varied amount<br />
<strong>of</strong> mineral wealth not yet fully developed.<br />
The land is in many parts <strong>of</strong> an excellent<br />
quality, and, year by year, as the population<br />
becomes more numerous, agriculture also<br />
becomes more general, and, what is better, is<br />
found to pay well. The local newspaper is<br />
the Miirruruncli Tirnes. There is much fine<br />
scenery in this district, especially in the more<br />
elevated portions <strong>of</strong> it, for the Liverpool<br />
Range is a magnificent chain <strong>of</strong> mountains-<br />
from 3,000 to 4,000 (sometimes even as much<br />
as 5,000) feet high-rising, at irregular intervals,<br />
into l<strong>of</strong>ty detached peaks, with rugged<br />
cliffs, and traversed by deep precipitous gorges.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> these picturesque localitiesare heavily<br />
timbered, and some are well nigh denuded <strong>of</strong><br />
vegetation. Murrurundi Gap is 2,314 feet<br />
above the level <strong>of</strong> the sea. One <strong>of</strong> the<br />
highest and most remarkable mountains near<br />
Murrurundi is Mount Murrulla, 3 miles<br />
E.E.s. <strong>of</strong> the township. Mount Murrulla,<br />
like Mount Wingen, is rather connected with<br />
the Liverpool Range than an :1etual part <strong>of</strong><br />
that chain, which runs across the country to<br />
the north <strong>of</strong> both. Mount Wingen, 1,820<br />
feet high, lying a few miles east <strong>of</strong> Mount<br />
M urrulla, is perhaps better known as "The<br />
Burning Mountain," from the supposed accidental<br />
ignition <strong>of</strong> a large coal seam beneath it.<br />
The places <strong>of</strong> note near Murrurundi are as<br />
follows :-Blackville, a pastoral settlement,<br />
45 miles distant ; Blandford, another settlement<br />
(agricultural as well as pastoral) on<br />
Page River and vVarland Creek, 3 miles<br />
south <strong>of</strong> Murrurundi; and The TVillow-tr ef3<br />
or Wm·rah, the well-known station <strong>of</strong> the<br />
· Australian Agricultural Company, 15 miles<br />
distant from Murrurundi. Haydonton is a<br />
suburb, now connected with Murrurundi<br />
(since 1864) by the" Arnold Bridge." Tinwr,<br />
on the river Isis, is a locality situated a<br />
few miles to the eastward <strong>of</strong> M urrurundi,<br />
and chiefly noticeable for its caves. "They<br />
present," we are told, "a series <strong>of</strong> extensive<br />
chambers, the floors <strong>of</strong> which are covered<br />
with stalagmites, while stalactites <strong>of</strong> all ages
NORTHERN LINE ROUTES. 19<br />
depend from the ceilings." Time <strong>of</strong> journey<br />
from Newcastle to Murrurundi, rather less<br />
than six hours.<br />
Route No. 22-From Newcastle to<br />
Scone~ 96 miles.-The tourist leaving<br />
Newcastle by rail may, if he pleases, in less<br />
than five hours find himself at; Scone, having<br />
en route had the option <strong>of</strong> breakfasting or<br />
dining at Singleton, according to the train<br />
by which he may have come" down" the line.<br />
(See directions for Route No. 19.) Scone is<br />
rather a pretty little place, ::;ituated on the<br />
banks <strong>of</strong> a stream oddly called the "Kingdon<br />
Ponds," which, with the Darkbrook, forms a<br />
western tributary <strong>of</strong> the Hunter, falling into<br />
that river about 9 miles above the township<br />
<strong>of</strong> Aberdeen. Scone, at an elevation <strong>of</strong> 680<br />
feet above the sea-level, is reckoned to be<br />
167 miles north <strong>of</strong> Sydney by the postal<br />
route. It has a population <strong>of</strong> 600 souls.<br />
It lies 7 miles west <strong>of</strong> Page River, and 7<br />
miles north-west <strong>of</strong> the Hunter. The country<br />
round Scone is mountainous, the adjacent<br />
district being chiefly occupied for pastoral<br />
purposes. Near the township is a plain,<br />
on which are found quantities <strong>of</strong> fossil<br />
wood, the rooted trunks <strong>of</strong> large fossil trees<br />
standing in the ground, as if still in their<br />
places <strong>of</strong> growth. Besides Aberdeen, abovementioned,<br />
the principal places near Scone<br />
are Bunnan and Rouchelbrook. In the<br />
mountains and highland glens near Scone<br />
there is much wild and picturesque scenery.<br />
-11- beautiful spot there, called "Flat Rock,"<br />
1s spoken <strong>of</strong> as well deservinO' <strong>of</strong> a visit.<br />
Time <strong>of</strong> journey from Newcastle to Scone,<br />
four and three-quarter hours.<br />
Route No. 23-From Newcastle to<br />
Musclebrook: 80 miles.-(For directions<br />
as to place <strong>of</strong> stopping for breakfast or dinner<br />
on this journey see Route No. 19.) The<br />
traveller by rail from N ewcastl6 to Musclebrook<br />
(or Muswellbrook) arrives at his destination<br />
in about four hours after leaving the<br />
Newcastle terminus. Muscle brook ( 47 b feet<br />
above the sea-level) lies on the margin <strong>of</strong> the<br />
lVIusclebrook and the Hunter, that river<br />
skirting the township on its western side.<br />
It is, by postal route, 152 miles north <strong>of</strong><br />
Sydney, and contains about 1,100 inhabitants.<br />
There is a very handsome Anglican Church<br />
here, noteworthy as being one <strong>of</strong> the finest<br />
ecclesiastical edifices at present erected in the<br />
northern portion <strong>of</strong> the Colony. The visitor<br />
should go and see it, especially the interior.<br />
The country around Muswellbrook is favourable<br />
to the growth <strong>of</strong> wheat, maize, sugar,<br />
tobacco, and the vine. Denman is a small<br />
town, lying 16 miles south <strong>of</strong> Musclebrook,<br />
about 2 miles above the confluence <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Goulburn and Hunter Rivers, on the main<br />
road from Maitland to Merri wa, Cassilis, and<br />
Mudgee. The other settlements in the neighbourhood<br />
<strong>of</strong> Musclebrook are Goorangoola,<br />
Grass-tree, Gungal, Kayuga, and Wybong.<br />
Time <strong>of</strong> journey from Newcastle to Musclebrook,<br />
three hours.<br />
Route No. 24-From Newcastle to<br />
Singleton : 49 miles.-Singleton, the centre<br />
<strong>of</strong> the rich and flourishing district <strong>of</strong> Patrick's<br />
Plains, is an agreeable, well-planned country<br />
town, on the Hunter River, 123 miles<br />
north <strong>of</strong> Sydney by the postal route. Tbe<br />
station is 135 feet above the sea-level. Here<br />
there is a good refreshment-room, and trains<br />
carrying passengers stop fifteen minutes.<br />
Singleton is a wealthy, thriving place, with<br />
comfortable inns, several churches, and other<br />
handsome public edifices. The Court-house<br />
is one <strong>of</strong> the finest buildings <strong>of</strong> the kind in<br />
the Colony. The town (which has a good<br />
local newr-ipaper) contains nearly 2,000 inhabitants.<br />
The district, in which Singleton holds<br />
the chief place, has many advantages for<br />
pastoral and agricultural pursuits. The vine<br />
is largely cultivated, quantities <strong>of</strong> good wine<br />
being produced ; copper, iron, freestone, and<br />
limestone are found in the adjacent country.<br />
Jer1·y's Plains is a township on the Hunter,<br />
19 miles west <strong>of</strong> Singleton, on the road from<br />
Singleton to Cassilis. Coal abounds in its<br />
neighbourhood, and other valuable mineral<br />
deposits. The noticeable settlements nerrr<br />
Singleton are :-Belford ( on the line 10 miles<br />
south-east from Singleton), Bridgeman, Camberwell,<br />
Glendon Brook, Howe's Valley,<br />
Ravensworth, Scott's Flat, Sedgefield, St.<br />
Clare, Vere, W arkworth, and vV est brook.<br />
Time <strong>of</strong> journey from Newcastle to Singleton,<br />
about two and a half hours.<br />
Route No. 25- From Newcastle t o<br />
West Maitland : 20 miles.-Maitland (by<br />
many once not unfairly ranked next after the
------.<br />
~ - )'{• ..<br />
20 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
capital <strong>of</strong> the Colony, for its wealth and importance)<br />
is divided into East Maitland and<br />
West Maitland by Wallis Creek, over which<br />
there is an excellent bridge. East Maitland<br />
was the original Government township; but<br />
when " Maitland" is now spoken <strong>of</strong> West<br />
Maitland is generally meant-it being, <strong>of</strong> the<br />
two, by far the larger and more important<br />
place. Maitland lies low-only 124 feet above<br />
the sea-level. Maitland is 12 miles south<br />
<strong>of</strong> Paterson, the chief town <strong>of</strong> the Paterson<br />
District. Maitland is also reckoned to be<br />
95 miles from Sydney, by the ordinary postal<br />
route, 20 miles by rail from the Newcastle<br />
Terminus, and 29 miles from Singleton. West<br />
Maitland contains several good hotels and<br />
fine public buildings, with many commodious<br />
churches and schools. The population <strong>of</strong><br />
-West Maitland in 1881 was 5,703 souls.<br />
The townships, villages, and settlements<br />
near East and West Maitland are: Anvil<br />
Creek, Bishop's Bridge, Branxton, Buchanan,<br />
Creswick, Elderslie, Farley, Greta (late<br />
Farthing's), Hinton, Largs, Lochinvar,<br />
},[orpeth, Mount Vincent, Rothbury, and<br />
W oodville. Of these, Lochin var, Greta, and<br />
Branxton are stopping-places on the Great<br />
Northern <strong>Railway</strong>, to the west <strong>of</strong> Maitland ;<br />
and Morpeth is to the north-eastward, at a<br />
distance <strong>of</strong> 6 miles. Morpeth is the head<br />
<strong>of</strong> the navigation <strong>of</strong> the Hunter River, and<br />
steamers constantly ply between it and<br />
Sydney.<br />
Route No. 26-From Newcastle to<br />
East Maitland: 18 miles.-East Maitland<br />
station-reached by the railway traveller<br />
after a trip <strong>of</strong> rather less than one hour's<br />
duration-is situated in a pleasant spot, with<br />
rising ground near it, the station itself being<br />
not more than 18fe et above the sea-level. E ast<br />
Maitland is considered to be one <strong>of</strong> the best<br />
laid out towns in the Colony, and when the<br />
numerous trees, so judiciously planted, shall<br />
have grown up, it will be one <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
picturesque. In its wide and well kept<br />
streets there are many excellent and substantial<br />
buildings, churches, banks, hotels,<br />
and shops. The Government gaol and the<br />
adjacent Court-house are both fine and commodious<br />
buildings, standing on a gentle<br />
eminence to the north-east <strong>of</strong> the township.<br />
The population <strong>of</strong> East Maitland in 1881<br />
was 2,302 persons. Courts <strong>of</strong> Quarter<br />
Sessions and Circuit Courts are held here.<br />
You can go from East Maitland direct by<br />
the subsidiary line, which starts from here<br />
to Morpeth. Near East Maitland (to the<br />
eastward) are Morpeth, Wickham, Woodford,<br />
and Hinton. Time <strong>of</strong> journey, about fiftyfive<br />
minutes.<br />
Route No. 27-From Newcastle to<br />
Waratah: 4 miles.-Waratah is a busy<br />
thriving township, only 4 miles west <strong>of</strong> Newcastle,<br />
and not more than 13 feet above highwater-mark.<br />
It is said to have a population<br />
<strong>of</strong> about 3,000 souls, the principal industries<br />
being coal-mining, stone-quarrying, and<br />
copper-smelting. Coal is shipped from shoots<br />
into vessels lying in the lower waters <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Hunter at Point W aratah. At the distance<br />
<strong>of</strong> about l} mile west <strong>of</strong> Waratah the<br />
Wallsend subsidiary line joins on to the<br />
Great Northern <strong>Railway</strong>. There is no particular<br />
beauty in any <strong>of</strong> the surroundings <strong>of</strong><br />
Waratah, but it is outside <strong>of</strong> the "great coal<br />
city" into something like the country, and<br />
the place is consequently a favourite resort<br />
to the citizens <strong>of</strong> N ewcastle, from which it<br />
lies about 10 minutes' distance, by rail.<br />
Besides Waratah the places near N ewcastlo<br />
are Stockton, Honeysuckle Point, Hamilton,<br />
Lam bton, Minmi, New Lambton, Plattsbnrg,<br />
Wallsencl, Brookstown, H exliani, Alnwick,<br />
Adamstown, Charlestown, Onoygamba, and<br />
Tighe's Hill. W allsend and H exham are<br />
connected (by rail) with the terminus at<br />
N ewcastle.
NORTHERN LINE ROUTES. 21<br />
ROUTES ON NORTHERN AND NORTH-WESTERN LINES.<br />
There are three sn bsidiary lines to the<br />
Northern line, but they are not <strong>of</strong> such<br />
length and importance as the subsidiary<br />
line from Blacktown to Richmond, or the<br />
line from Wallerawang to Mudgee. 1. The<br />
fi1·st <strong>of</strong> these is the subsidiary li1rn from<br />
Newcastle to Bullock Island ; 1} mile. This<br />
joins the main line at Honeysuckle Point,<br />
just outside Newcastle. It is not much used<br />
for passengers, but is used for the conveyance<br />
<strong>of</strong> coal and other mineral products. Over<br />
1,000,000 tons <strong>of</strong> coal are carried over the line<br />
annually and shipped at the steam cranes here.<br />
2. The second <strong>of</strong> these subsidiary lines to<br />
the Great Northern line runs from Newcastle<br />
(westerly) to Wallsend-a distance <strong>of</strong><br />
8 miles. There is a morning and afternoon<br />
train every day (including Sundays) and the<br />
trajet is made in 35 minutes. The trains<br />
between Newcastle and W allsend call, either<br />
way, at Waratah (at Hamilton only if required)<br />
and at Honeysuckle Point. Wallsend,<br />
the terminus <strong>of</strong> this subsidiary line, is<br />
a busy, rising, incorporated town, with<br />
adjacent collieries. It already numbers at<br />
least 5,000 inhabitants. Wallsend is 20<br />
miles north-east <strong>of</strong> Cooranbong, by which,<br />
after a journey <strong>of</strong> 32 miles to the southward,<br />
Gosford, tl1e pretty chief township <strong>of</strong> Brisbane<br />
Water, may conveniently be reached. There<br />
is a good road, and the telegraph line runs<br />
along the same all the way. Cooranbong can<br />
ahio be reached by a road southerly from<br />
Maitland. 3. The third subsidiary line-<br />
that frdrn East Maitland to Morpeth-is, in<br />
its extreme length, 4 miles long. There are<br />
several trains on it every day (including<br />
Sundays) and the trajet is made in half an<br />
hour. The trains between East Maitland<br />
and Morpeth call at Northumberland-street,<br />
which is the only intermediate stopping-place<br />
on the line. This subsidiary line is one <strong>of</strong><br />
great practical use to the inhabitants <strong>of</strong> the<br />
towns it connects, especially when it is<br />
remembered that Morpeth is the head <strong>of</strong> the<br />
navigation <strong>of</strong> the Hunter River.<br />
RouTE OF MAIN BRANCH NoRTH-WESTERN LINE.<br />
The North-western line leaves the main<br />
Northern Rail way at W erris Creek and<br />
runs to N arrabri, a distance <strong>of</strong> 97 miles.<br />
vVerris Creek is 155 miles from Newcastle,<br />
and N arrabri is consequently 252 miles from<br />
the seaport. The line was opened to<br />
Narrabri in October, 1882, but at times<br />
between the 15th March, 1879, when the first<br />
section from vV erris Creek to Breeza ,va.s<br />
completed, various sections have been opened<br />
for traffic. The line passes through the<br />
well known Liverpool Plains District, which,<br />
although almost entirely at present devoted<br />
to pastoral purposes, may, now that the<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> has reached the district, be in tirne<br />
devoted to agriculture, the soil, it is said,<br />
being very suitable for wheat-growing, and<br />
it is confidently expected that a system <strong>of</strong><br />
irrigation can be carried out on these plains.<br />
The stations on the North-western branch<br />
are Breeza, Gunnedah, an important town,<br />
containiug 1,331 inhabitants, Boggabri and<br />
N arrabri. The line will at some future date<br />
be extended to the river Darling, the Government<br />
having promised to submit a proposal<br />
to Parliament to construct .a line from<br />
N arrabri to the town <strong>of</strong> W algett on the<br />
river named, and it is anticipated that little<br />
or no opposition will be raised to this<br />
extension.
22 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
RAILWAY ITINERARY AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SCENERY.<br />
STATIONS AND PLATFORMS, &c.<br />
I .-S Y D N E Y T O G RA N V I L L E .<br />
(MAIN TRUNK LINE.)<br />
N.B.-" Suburb::m Trains" to the Town <strong>of</strong> PARRAMATTA, I mile beyond Granville to the N.,v.<br />
Eveleigh 1 mile; 70 feet above sealevel.-Eveleigh,<br />
only a short distance to the<br />
left, beyond the Redfern <strong>Railway</strong> Tunnel, is<br />
reckoned a mile from the Sydney Terminus.<br />
Short as this distance is by rail, this platform<br />
is found to be very convenient for persons residing<br />
at Alexandria, Redfern, and Waterloo.<br />
As the passenger leaves the Sydney terminus<br />
he may have a good view <strong>of</strong> three handsome<br />
stone edifices near the line-the <strong>Railway</strong><br />
Mortuary Station, with the Wesleyan Church<br />
to the right, and St. Paul's Anglican Church<br />
and Tower to the left. The <strong>Railway</strong> workshops<br />
at Eveleigh, now in course <strong>of</strong> construction,<br />
will bewhencompleted the mostextensive<br />
south <strong>of</strong> the Equator, a~cl are to. be £tted up<br />
with all the most modern appliances for the<br />
construction and repair <strong>of</strong> engines and other<br />
rolling stock. The buildings on the lefthand<br />
side are the boiler, steam-hammer, and<br />
smiths' shops, and foundry, under one ro<strong>of</strong><br />
300 feet long, in four bays <strong>of</strong> 60 feet each;<br />
the next block, 550 feet by 300 feet, will<br />
comprise the other worshops in connection<br />
with the locomotive department. The engine<br />
running-shed is 303 feet by 300 feet, and is<br />
capable <strong>of</strong> accommodating 126 engines <strong>of</strong> the<br />
largest type. On the right side <strong>of</strong> the line<br />
are situated the carriage and waggon repairing<br />
shops, in a block <strong>of</strong> buildings 600 feet by<br />
351 feet ; also, the rail way stores and other<br />
buildings. At night the yard is lit up with<br />
the electric light.<br />
M'Donald Town 1! mile; 80 feet<br />
above sea-level.- Having passed Eveleigh,<br />
the passenger by the train has, at once,<br />
to tl:e left, a fine prospect <strong>of</strong> Botany<br />
Bay in the distance, across a level, open,<br />
country, with the church and viJlage <strong>of</strong> St.<br />
Peter's on elevated ground to the westward.<br />
On the right <strong>of</strong> the line can now be seen the<br />
grand architectural outlines <strong>of</strong> the Sydney<br />
University-to the west <strong>of</strong> which ( on the<br />
ridge <strong>of</strong> the hill, close to Newtown) stands<br />
the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Asylum-a<br />
curious red brick building, in marked contrast<br />
to its more pretentious neighbour. The<br />
M'Donald Town Platform is placed at a<br />
siding, just where the Railroad winds to the<br />
right before it enters Newtown. It is between<br />
Eveleigh and M'Donald Town that the <strong>Railway</strong><br />
to Illawarra joins the Main Southern<br />
<strong>Railway</strong>.<br />
Newtown Station, 2 miles ; 96 feet<br />
above sea-level.-The Railroad, ascending<br />
gradually from the terminus, now runs under<br />
a bridge and through the pleasant suburban<br />
township <strong>of</strong> Newtown. Emerging from the<br />
shadow <strong>of</strong> a second bridge, the traveller<br />
usually finds that the train halts for a few<br />
moments at the Newtown Station, close to a<br />
pretty Gothic church erected by the Roman<br />
Catholic communion. Appointed time for<br />
train to reach the N ewt,own Station after leaving<br />
the Sydney terminus, about six minutes.<br />
Stanmore, 2! miles ; about 100 feet<br />
above sea-level.-This platform stands<br />
about half-wav between Newtown and<br />
Petersham St~tions, and is for the convenience<br />
<strong>of</strong> the residents <strong>of</strong> Stanmore. In<br />
the neighbourhood is the vV esleyan Training<br />
College, N ewington.
ITINERARY-SYDNEY TO GRANVILLE. 23<br />
Petersham Station, 3 miles ; 100 feet<br />
above sea-level.-Having left Newtown,<br />
the traveller by the train is pleased to observe<br />
an excellent and comprehensive view stretching<br />
away to the northward-to the heights<br />
<strong>of</strong> the picturesque surburban hamlet <strong>of</strong><br />
Balmain, the church towers and houses <strong>of</strong><br />
which here first become plainly visible.<br />
Beyond Balmain the North Shore hills<br />
extend in the extreme distance. On the<br />
southern side <strong>of</strong> the line, houses, villas,<br />
gardens, and slowly developing streets are<br />
successively presented; where (not long since)<br />
there was nothing but open country, or shady<br />
" bush." On approaching Petersham Station<br />
a forn view over the country unfolds itself to<br />
the right-the celebrated "Blue Mountains "<br />
becoming visible far away to the westward.<br />
Petersham Station is now the centre <strong>of</strong> a<br />
thickly populated suburban district, and on<br />
the slopes around it are many really delightful<br />
villas and gardens. Usual time <strong>of</strong> tmjet<br />
from Sydney to Petersham, about twelve<br />
minutes.<br />
Summer Hi11, 4 miles; about 90 feet<br />
above sea-level.-A few years ago Summer<br />
Hill formed one large estate (Underwood's).<br />
It was subsequently subdivided and sold,<br />
and from its proximity to the city, commanded<br />
a ready sale. Houses were soon<br />
built and a platform established, and now<br />
the traffic to and from this place is very<br />
considerable. Quitting the Petersham Station<br />
the Railroad for a while traverses a rolling<br />
country, numerously inhabited. The burialground<br />
and Roman Catholic Church <strong>of</strong> St.<br />
Mary and St. Joseph then stand together for<br />
a moment near the advancing train to the<br />
right ; and, after that, the old village <strong>of</strong><br />
Petersham comes directly in view, down in<br />
the hollow, lying on the side <strong>of</strong> the Parramatta<br />
Road. The course <strong>of</strong> the train brings the<br />
tourist next, somewhat abruptly, by a viaduct<br />
over Long Cove Creek, a stream which flows<br />
along the bottom <strong>of</strong> the gorge, down whichaway<br />
towards the Parramatta River-is suddenly<br />
disclosed .a long v.ista <strong>of</strong> picturesque<br />
woods. The slender spire <strong>of</strong> St. David's<br />
Presbyterian Church is seen amongst the<br />
trees to the north-west in the mid distance.<br />
Ashfield Station, 5 miles ; 86 feet<br />
above sea level-A mile from Summer Hill<br />
the important suburb <strong>of</strong> Ashfield is reached.<br />
After leaving Summer Hill the southern edge<br />
<strong>of</strong> the old Ashfield Racecourse is gained, with<br />
the old Southern Road from Sydney on the<br />
right hand ; and so, passing under a briJge<br />
and through a deep cutting between houses,<br />
orchards, and gardens, the train comes<br />
thundering into Ashfield. Ashfield is the<br />
centre <strong>of</strong> a very populous district. To the<br />
left, about 2 miles distant, is the old township<br />
<strong>of</strong> Canterbury, situated on the Cook's River.<br />
The suburb contains many residences with<br />
very tastefully laid out gardens, while the district<br />
around contains many charming drives<br />
and bits <strong>of</strong> scenery. Time between the<br />
Sydney and Ashfield Stations, about fifteen<br />
minutes.<br />
Croydon Station, 6 miles ; 86 feet<br />
above sea-level.-The railway passenger,<br />
on leaving Ashfield Station, is now (for about<br />
a mile) hurried past an agreeable bit <strong>of</strong> home<br />
scenery, diversified by gardens and trees,<br />
with a wide, uneven space on either side <strong>of</strong><br />
the road in the back gronnd, where Nature<br />
has not yet been ruthlessly h11provecl away.<br />
Streets (for the most part mere lanes) intersect<br />
this tract, whereon stand villas and<br />
gardens belonging to Sydney people, displaying<br />
a considerable amount <strong>of</strong> domestic comfort,<br />
originality, and even elegance <strong>of</strong> design.<br />
Vistas <strong>of</strong> plen,sant country roadways-green,<br />
and as yet innocent <strong>of</strong> dust and mirestretch<br />
up the gentle eminences to the left<br />
and right.<br />
Burwood Station, 7 miles; 68 feet<br />
above sea-level.-After passing Croydon<br />
platform, the railway traveller will at first<br />
only see a continuation <strong>of</strong> such scenery as<br />
he has been observing between Ashfield and<br />
Croydon. Nevertheless (just before he arrives<br />
at the prosperous village <strong>of</strong> Burwood) he may<br />
catch a passing view <strong>of</strong> the Congregational<br />
Church to the right, near the Burwood<br />
Station ; and he may likewise-beyond that<br />
pretty little ecclesiastical edifice-observe the<br />
Anglican Church on the Parramatta Road,<br />
with a good view <strong>of</strong> Balmain and the North<br />
Shore hills in the distance. To the left he<br />
will doubtless notice another handsome
24 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
Anglican Church (with an adjacent schoolhouse)<br />
on Burwood heights ; also more bush<br />
sceneE", presenting a series <strong>of</strong> gardens and<br />
woodland glades. Near Burwood, on the<br />
line, he may likewise get a hasty glimpse .to<br />
the north-west <strong>of</strong> the hill country near Parramatta.<br />
The p9,ssenger traffic at Burwood<br />
is largely fed by the residents <strong>of</strong> Enfield and<br />
Bankstown on the one side, and <strong>of</strong> the district<br />
between Burwood and the south bank <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Parramatta River on the otlrnr. Appointed<br />
time from Sydney to Burwood, usually about<br />
twenty-four minutes.<br />
Redmyre Platform, 7! miles; 60 feet<br />
above sea-level.-A half-mile beyond Burwood,<br />
to the westward, is a platform named<br />
Redmyre, for the convenience <strong>of</strong> residents in<br />
the adjacent honses and villas. The line to<br />
connect the Southern with the Northern<br />
Rail way system will join the Great Southern<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> between Redmyre and Homebush.<br />
The works are now in progress.<br />
Homebush Station, 8 miles; 32 feet<br />
above sea-level.-Between Burwood and<br />
H omebush there is a considerable descent on<br />
the line, amounting to not less than 36 feet.<br />
After passing the Redmyre platform the<br />
railway traveller has a distant view <strong>of</strong> the<br />
country to the north-west, across an open<br />
range <strong>of</strong> forest. The hills beyond Parramatta<br />
now more plainly appear; and there is<br />
also an unexpected prospect <strong>of</strong> the long<br />
settled country about Ryde across the Parramatta<br />
River. The tops <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountains<br />
are again visible to the westward. On<br />
the right the traveller (if a sporting man)<br />
may observe, with some interest, the old<br />
Homebush Racecourse-which, before the<br />
establishment <strong>of</strong> Randwick, was the one<br />
great arena for race-horses, jockeys, and<br />
bookmakers. Homebush, like Summer Hill,<br />
was until recently thinly populated, on<br />
n.ccount <strong>of</strong> the land in the vicinity being<br />
locked up. After the subdi-rision <strong>of</strong> the land<br />
in 1878 houses commenced to spring up on<br />
all sides, and Home bush is now fast becoming<br />
well peopled. In the vicinity several works<br />
have been establishetl. A little beyond the<br />
station extensive cattle yards have been corn<br />
pleted The yards are capable <strong>of</strong> holding<br />
1,200 cattle and 12,000 sheep, and have cost<br />
upwards <strong>of</strong> £60,000. They cover not less<br />
than 40 acres <strong>of</strong> ground, and are intersected<br />
throughout by . <strong>Railway</strong> sidings, and everything<br />
has been arranged that can make them<br />
convenient. The yards were built under the<br />
supervision <strong>of</strong> the City Council.<br />
Rookwood Station, 10 miles ; 55 feet<br />
above sea-level.-Between Homebush and<br />
Rookwood Station-a distance <strong>of</strong> 2 milesthe<br />
country adjacent to the Railroad is <strong>of</strong> a<br />
dreary character, somewhat suitable to the<br />
locality approached-the great Metropolitan<br />
Cemetery or N ecrop<strong>of</strong>oi, at Haslem's Creek.<br />
The grounds have been laid out with great<br />
taste, and present to the passing traveller a<br />
cheery picture, taking away the melancholy<br />
thoughts that would arise in viewing the city<br />
<strong>of</strong> the dead were it not relieved by tasteful<br />
parterres and shrubs and handsome mausoleums.<br />
The buildings connected with this<br />
cemetery are really handsome edifices-the<br />
Mortuary House, or Station, at the end <strong>of</strong> the<br />
siding on the ground particularly so. The<br />
Jewish Burial-ground adjoins that appropriated<br />
to all the various denominations <strong>of</strong><br />
Christians, who here sleep peacefully together.<br />
This station was once known as "Haslem's<br />
Creek," but it has assumed the name <strong>of</strong><br />
"Rookwood"-a name borrowed, it would<br />
appear, from Harrison Ainsworth's wellknown<br />
"deadly-lively" romance. The trains<br />
reach Rookwood from Sydney in half an<br />
hour. Funeral trains stop at Rookwood,<br />
and are shunted into the cemetery sidingwhich<br />
is about a quarter <strong>of</strong> a mile long.<br />
Auburn Platform, 12 miles; about 40<br />
feet above sea-level-Auburn is a platform<br />
recently established. The locality was<br />
formerly covered with scrub, but now buildings<br />
are going up rapidly, and the scrub is<br />
fast making way for the erection <strong>of</strong> handsome<br />
villas and the laying out <strong>of</strong> ornamental<br />
grounds. A mile beyond Auburn, Duck<br />
River is reached, and here numerous manufa.ctories<br />
have been started. On the banks <strong>of</strong><br />
the river or creek, the extensive range <strong>of</strong> buildings<br />
for Hudson Brothers Company have been<br />
erected. These buildings are for the manufacture<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Railway</strong> rolling stock, and are the<br />
largest and best works <strong>of</strong> the kind in the<br />
Colonies. The erection <strong>of</strong> these works has
ITINERARY-SYDNEY TO WATERFALL. 25<br />
necessarily created population, and now<br />
numbers <strong>of</strong> workmen's houses are fast being<br />
put up. There are also in the vicinity other<br />
important works-Ritchie's <strong>Railway</strong> Stock<br />
Works, Thompson, Maxwell & Co.'s fellmongery,<br />
Messrs. Bergin's tweed manufactory,<br />
meat-preserving works, and numer~us<br />
brickworks. A platform has also been established,<br />
denominated Clyde.<br />
Granville Station, 13 miles; 32 feet<br />
above sea-level.-'I 1 his Junction is 1 mile<br />
from the Parramatta Station, and is a place<br />
which owed its existence originally to the<br />
Rail ways. Here the Southern Main Branch<br />
joins the Western Trunk Line; the Trunk<br />
Line itself turning to the N.W., to go through<br />
the old town <strong>of</strong> Parramatta. The suburban<br />
trains go past the Junction into the town <strong>of</strong><br />
Parramatta, and stop there/ but in all other<br />
trains there is a change here for passengers<br />
or goods destined to go South. The suburban<br />
trains, <strong>of</strong> course, travel more slowly than<br />
the other trains, but the usual time for the<br />
journey between Sydney and Granville is<br />
reckoned to be rather more than half an hour.<br />
Through the establishment <strong>of</strong> the works<br />
in its vicinity Granville is rapidly rising to<br />
be a place <strong>of</strong> some importance, and has been<br />
incorporated.<br />
II.-SYDNEY TO WATERFALL-ILLAWARRA RAILWAY.<br />
In 1881, Parliament approved <strong>of</strong> the<br />
extension <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Railway</strong> to the lllawarra<br />
district, the line approved <strong>of</strong> running almost<br />
parallel with the coast. The <strong>Railway</strong> was<br />
soon afterwards commenced, and in 1884 the<br />
first section viz; from Sydney to Hurstville,<br />
10 miles, was thrown open for pnblic traffic.<br />
Other sections <strong>of</strong> the line are in progress<br />
but it will be 1888 before the wholo is<br />
finished. The route traversed is one <strong>of</strong> tlie<br />
deepest interest both on account <strong>of</strong> the<br />
magnificent scenery passed through, and<br />
for the extensive mineral resources it will<br />
develope. In regard to scenery there is first,<br />
the view at Como on the George's River,<br />
the <strong>Railway</strong> crossing the river by a handsome<br />
iron bridge <strong>of</strong> 900 feet in length. The<br />
crossing is at a spot where two rocky promontories<br />
approach each other, but on either side<br />
the river widens into broad reaches, and from<br />
the bridge a magnificent view is obtained, on<br />
the east <strong>of</strong> a long stretch <strong>of</strong> river, the banks<br />
rising in many parts abruptly from the water,<br />
while in other places the river is bounded<br />
by sandy bays ; on the west the mouth <strong>of</strong><br />
a tributary stream is first discernible at a<br />
sharp bend <strong>of</strong> the river, which a little further<br />
on appears as if shut in by the rugged hills<br />
that close upon it. Beyond Como the line<br />
touches the National Park <strong>of</strong> the Colony,<br />
a magnificent heritage <strong>of</strong> some 36,000 :wrcs,<br />
boasting an excellent port, a river, and glens<br />
that vie, in regard to scenic beauty, with<br />
a.nything in the world. There arc also the<br />
Bulli and the Il1awarra districts, which<br />
are admittedly the natural gardens <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Colony, while they possess splendid mineral<br />
resources, even now largely worked, and a<br />
large area <strong>of</strong> cultivated Janel. ·<br />
Returning to the opened portion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Illawarra <strong>Railway</strong> it may be mentioned ,that<br />
the line branches from the Main <strong>Railway</strong> at<br />
Eveleigh, and the first station reached is<br />
Erskinville, one mile from Sydney. This<br />
proves <strong>of</strong> great convenience to a large<br />
body <strong>of</strong> workmen who have homes in the<br />
vicinity.<br />
St. Peters Station, 2 miles ; 35 feet<br />
above sea-level-St. Peters proper is a<br />
municipality touching the adjacent boroughs<br />
<strong>of</strong> Alexandria, Newtown, and Marrickville.<br />
The municipal population <strong>of</strong> the borough,<br />
which was proclaimed in 1871, is 778 and<br />
the annual value <strong>of</strong> property, £24,576. St.<br />
Peters boasts <strong>of</strong> two Post Offices, a Telegraph<br />
Office, Money Order and Savings' Bank, six<br />
hotels, five places <strong>of</strong> public worship, two<br />
schools, and a private Lunatic Asylum. St.<br />
Peter's is the centre <strong>of</strong> the brickmaking in-
~<br />
26 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
dustry and to the left nearing the station may<br />
be seen numerous kilns bespeaking the extent<br />
<strong>of</strong> the works carried on.<br />
Marrickville, 3 miles ; 13 feet above<br />
sea-level.-The principal features <strong>of</strong> this<br />
not very attractive Suburb are market gardens<br />
and brickvards. To the west lies the more<br />
populous
(/J<br />
#" or L,fh 0.8G. /9<br />
GuIDEMAP<br />
shewing<br />
ILLAWARRA RAILWAY<br />
TO WATERFALL<br />
The part open to 30~h June <strong>1886</strong> ._--.. __ .. -_~,~<br />
1<br />
\<br />
and- -the ·;-<br />
N AJ JO NAL PARK '<br />
LlJUNTY OF CUMBERLAND<br />
New South Wales<br />
/'.;rh Bound,Jr!J slu:wn thus ·--·--·<br />
IILOO<br />
/PADDINCTON<br />
WOOLLAHIIA<br />
WAVERLEY<br />
11.ANOWICK<br />
BOTANY<br />
Pt:-flfNu11sr<br />
HCICNT<br />
1;<br />
,J,'<br />
,;:~~<br />
j<br />
i: ..,<br />
t:::,.r; : {"~1,~<br />
,,, ............ ----~-,;.;1r.......... J ... ,1'<br />
Ii<br />
,, ,.<br />
1.Y<br />
Scale 2 lr1iles t.o Or.e Inch<br />
, z
ITINERARY-SYDNEY TO WATERFALL. 27<br />
magnificent bridge which spans George's<br />
River. There area Public School, Post Office,<br />
Branch <strong>of</strong> Bank <strong>of</strong> Australasia, and two hotels<br />
here, while the residential population is rapidly<br />
increasing. Between Kogarah and Hurstville<br />
the line rises 150 feet, the latter station<br />
commanding an extensive view over Botany,<br />
while the white sands <strong>of</strong> Cronulla Beach are<br />
seen glistening to the eastward. George's<br />
River is two miles from Hurstville Station.<br />
Como, 13 miles ; 50 feet above sealevel.<br />
-After leaving Hurstville, the line<br />
passes through a locality which is commencing<br />
to show the benefit <strong>of</strong> railway extension,<br />
as numerous substantial dwellings have been<br />
or are being erected ; and to provide for the<br />
people in the neighbourhood, a platform is<br />
now being erected at Penhurst, about one<br />
mile from H urstville. Between this and<br />
Como there are few signs <strong>of</strong> settlement, and<br />
the land stands in its natural state ; provision<br />
has, however, been made for a platform<br />
at Oatley's, midway between Penhurst and<br />
Como. Shortly after passing Oatley's some<br />
pretty glens are seen, the country becoming<br />
more broken, sloping to the river, and the<br />
shrubs and trees more varied. Soon the<br />
river is seen gleaming through the trees, and<br />
the train speeds on, bringing the traveller to<br />
the river, which is crossed by a handsome,<br />
iron-lattice bridge <strong>of</strong> 900 feet in length.<br />
The view from the carriage is a very fine<br />
one, the river below and above the bridge<br />
being a majestic stream <strong>of</strong>fering a long,<br />
straight course, which will no doubt, in time,<br />
be the scene <strong>of</strong> many aquatic contests. On<br />
either side the river brP-aks into many miniature<br />
bays and picturesque woodlands, while<br />
to the right may be seen the junction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
W oronora with the main river, this tributary<br />
running for many miles back, in places parallel<br />
with the railway. Como is situated on<br />
the banks <strong>of</strong> the main stream, near the<br />
junction, and the land here is the property<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Holt-Sutherland Company. The owners<br />
have done much to make the surroundings<br />
pleasant, and it is now a favourite pleasure<br />
resort, being within such easy reach <strong>of</strong><br />
Sydney. Boats are always obtainable, and<br />
fish are plentiful, and excellent picnicking and<br />
camping grounds are available.<br />
Sutherland Station, 15 miles ; 360<br />
feet above sea-level- At about }-mile<br />
from Como Station the line turns southeasterly,<br />
bringing again into view that<br />
excellent example <strong>of</strong> engineering work, the<br />
Como railway-bridge, and the enchanting<br />
scenery <strong>of</strong> the bays and inlets <strong>of</strong> George's<br />
River. The line then proceeds · southerly,<br />
continuing up a steep incline <strong>of</strong> 1 in 40 till<br />
Sutherland is reached; and here the line first<br />
touches the National Park. It contains an<br />
area <strong>of</strong> 36,300 acres, and extends along the<br />
main Illawarra railway-line from within 200<br />
yards <strong>of</strong> Sutherland Station to the range 800<br />
feet above sea-level, bounding the southerly<br />
watershed <strong>of</strong> Waterfall Creek, and 800 yards<br />
beyond Waterfall station, 24J miles from<br />
Sydney. The railway-stations within the<br />
park upon the main line are Heathcote, 630<br />
feet above sea-level at 20 miles, and Waterfall,<br />
730 feet above sea-level at 24 miles from<br />
Sydney. The situation <strong>of</strong> the National Park<br />
relatively with Sydney, Botany, &c., is shown<br />
upon the map in appendix. The Park has<br />
7} miles frontage to the ocean (including a<br />
boat-harbour at W attamolla, and inlets with<br />
ocean beaches at Marley Beach, Little Marley<br />
Beach, Curracurrong, and Garie) and 4 miles<br />
frontage to the southerly side <strong>of</strong> Port Hacking<br />
River. Within the park, Port Hacking<br />
River flows for 9! miles, including 5! miles<br />
navigable for boats, namely, 4 miles fresh<br />
water above the dam at Audley, and l!<br />
miles salt water below that dam. Kangaroo<br />
Creek, fresh water, flows into Port<br />
Hacking River at Audley, and is similarly<br />
navigable for 1 i mile.<br />
The land in the National Park rises from<br />
sea-level to table-lands, at altitudes varying<br />
from about 350 feet to over 800 feet, and<br />
from which excellent and extensive views are<br />
from many points observable. The tablelands<br />
are partly fair land, and partly barren<br />
stony heaths. The table-lands are generally<br />
separated by deep valleys.<br />
The valleys <strong>of</strong> the principal watercourses,<br />
notably at Port Hacking River and Bola<br />
Creek to a large extent abound in rich<br />
foliage, including cabbage-tree and bangalo<br />
palms, tree-ferns, christmas, myrtle, and<br />
other handsome shrubs, numerous well grown<br />
black-butt, woolly-butt, turpentine, and<br />
other noble forest-timber trees rising, at the
j<br />
28 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
southerly and south-easterly part, above the<br />
confluence <strong>of</strong> Bola Creek with Port Hacking<br />
River, to heights up to nearly 200 feet, and<br />
bordering adjacent beautiful streams, having<br />
occasionally long reaches <strong>of</strong> deep and shaded<br />
fresh water.<br />
Principal features in the :Park are Port<br />
Hacking River and Kangaroo Greek, each<br />
vastly improved by works instituted by the<br />
park trustees, and carried out under their<br />
directions. One important and very necessary<br />
improvement effected is the removal<br />
<strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> tons <strong>of</strong> fallen timber and<br />
detached rocks from the streams. Prior to<br />
such improvements, boat-navigation <strong>of</strong> the<br />
most beautiful parts was very difficult,<br />
except at high tide, and impossible at low<br />
tide. Now, as the result <strong>of</strong> the removal <strong>of</strong><br />
obstructions and construction <strong>of</strong> the dam<br />
near Audley, a long length <strong>of</strong> the river and<br />
Kangaroo Creek are 11t all times navigable<br />
for very large boats and small steam-launches.<br />
Bola Creek, an important confluent. <strong>of</strong><br />
Port Hacking River, South-west Arm Creek,<br />
and Cabbage-tree Creek, each will repay<br />
inspection, Bola Creek on account <strong>of</strong> the<br />
richness <strong>of</strong> the foliage and the other creeks,<br />
mainly owing to the beautiful, bold, and<br />
varied scenery. Further detailed information<br />
will be found under the headings, L<strong>of</strong>tus,<br />
Heathcote, and Vl aterfall Stations.<br />
In the park, within}-mile east <strong>of</strong> Sutherland<br />
Station, a grand, extensive, and very beautiful<br />
view <strong>of</strong> the waters and valley <strong>of</strong> W oronora<br />
River is visible, and <strong>of</strong> the land as far as<br />
Peakhurst Heights. Standing at the easterly<br />
margin <strong>of</strong> the gorge, 300 feet above, and not<br />
m:)re than 400 yards distant from the river<br />
at its confluence with Forbes Creek, the<br />
spectator cannot fail to be pleased with the<br />
prospect. If time permits, the walk should<br />
be continueJ to the confluence <strong>of</strong> Forbes<br />
Creek, where there are excellent bathing<br />
places ; the water (salt) clear as crystal,<br />
shallow or deep as may be desired, with<br />
good diving and landing places.<br />
L<strong>of</strong>tus 17} miles; 390 feet above sealevel.-At<br />
1 i mile beyond Sutherland, a<br />
branch line leaves the main line and proceeds<br />
south-easterly, for l} mile, over the<br />
clear area <strong>of</strong> 220 acres recently (April, <strong>1886</strong>)<br />
used as the military encampment and review<br />
ground, and from which very beautiful views<br />
are obtained <strong>of</strong> Redfern, Randwick, Botany<br />
Bay, Captain Cook's landing place, La Perouse,<br />
the Ocean, Cronulla Beach, Jibbon<br />
Beach at Port Hacking. The branch line<br />
terminates at L<strong>of</strong>tus Station, 17 ! miles from<br />
Sydney, 390 feet above sea-level. At this<br />
place a hotel has been erected, now kept by<br />
Mr. Sebastian Hodge.<br />
Before proceedi1{g to the river, it will<br />
well repay the visitor to walk easterly about<br />
-i-mile along the summit or range, between<br />
Port Racking River and Temptation Creek.<br />
The views therefrom <strong>of</strong> the river and ocean<br />
are superior, and looking back, the large<br />
cleared area intersected by the branch railway<br />
line, and bounded upon the north-west<br />
by the main railway line and the southwesterly-the<br />
upper side-by scrub and<br />
forests presents decidedly an effective picture.<br />
Returning to the vicinity <strong>of</strong> L<strong>of</strong>tus Heights,<br />
the visitor should next proceed to the river<br />
by the zigzag pathway laid out for the convenience<br />
<strong>of</strong> pedestrians and equestrians.<br />
Upon reaching the river, the use <strong>of</strong> a<br />
boat should be obtained if the visitor desires<br />
sport with a fishing-line upon the salt<br />
water, or to enjoy an exploration <strong>of</strong> the<br />
many pretty bends and inlets <strong>of</strong> the river<br />
and port. As there are several shallow fiats<br />
at this part, it is well to look to the tide, as<br />
transit with the tide is naturally more expeditious,<br />
and at very low tides the difficulties in<br />
rowing are very largely increased. A -!--mile<br />
below the zigzag, upon the left-hand side <strong>of</strong><br />
the river, a rocky precipice, prettily marked<br />
with ferns, mosses, &c., rises upwards <strong>of</strong> 200<br />
feet, and presents a striking appearance. A<br />
mile lower down and opposite Mangrove<br />
Creek-a pretty little inlet-is a remarkably<br />
hollow rock jutting into the stream, and<br />
known as Swallow Rock. One mile still<br />
further down, and most charmingly situated,<br />
opposite Mangrove Island-a pretty isletis<br />
a substantial hut known as Fountain<br />
Cottage, where a Park Ranger resides upon<br />
the National Park, in the midst <strong>of</strong> the<br />
deer park. Upon the right-hand side <strong>of</strong><br />
the river, 100 yards southerly from the<br />
cottage, a fountain gushes out <strong>of</strong> the rock<br />
into a miniature bay; boats can readily<br />
come alongside the fountain, and the pure,<br />
fresh water is easily obtained without the
ITINERARY-SYDNEY TO WATERFALL. 29<br />
necessity <strong>of</strong> landing. The fountain and<br />
cottage are within the deer park, upon which<br />
are running and thriving a number <strong>of</strong> deera<br />
donation from the trustees <strong>of</strong> the Parramatta<br />
Park. The deer park has a waterfrontage<br />
<strong>of</strong> nearly 2 miles, and contains 135<br />
acres, in the main well grassed, with a never<br />
failing supply <strong>of</strong> fresh water. In the positions<br />
indicated upon the map, and opposite the<br />
National Park, are the extensive inlets known<br />
as North-west Arm, Gymea, Ewey, Burranear,<br />
and Gunnamatta Bays, and within the<br />
boundaries <strong>of</strong> the park are the South-west<br />
Arm and the charming inlet Cabbage-tree<br />
Creek; the latter can, however, only be<br />
entered by boat for about an hour before or<br />
an hour after high tide, as there is a sandshoal<br />
at the entrance. Persons who mn,y<br />
be able to spare the time are, however,<br />
strongly advised to watch the opportunity<br />
and row up the creek to the head <strong>of</strong> boatnavigation,<br />
lf mile-the scenery is varied<br />
and beautiful. After proceeding up a<br />
shallow channel f-mile, the visitor will be<br />
agreeably surprised by suddenly coming into<br />
a grand basin, nearly circular and about 400<br />
yards in diameter ; then the creek narrows<br />
and is bordered by varied foliage, including<br />
a few tree-ferns and some small, elegant<br />
cabbage-tree palms. Half a mile northwesterly<br />
from the entrance <strong>of</strong> Cabbage-tree<br />
Creek is Port Hacking sand-spit, about 600<br />
yards long, and which adds effect to the<br />
scenery, especially when viewed from the<br />
water on a bright day. Half a mile easterly,<br />
beyond the entrance <strong>of</strong> Cabbage-tree Creek,<br />
Mr. Simpson's accommodation house, "Tyreal<br />
House," is reached; next, and just beyond<br />
that commanding rise, Cabbage-tree Point,<br />
is the Yarmouth Estate, upon which is<br />
erected the comfortable bungalow <strong>of</strong> W. W.<br />
Richardson, Esq. On the frontage in this<br />
estate is an excellent beach <strong>of</strong> hard, clear,<br />
white sand. One mile further easterly is<br />
Port Hacking Point. At the entrance to<br />
Port Hacking, before reaching this point,<br />
there is another beautiful sand-shore known<br />
as Jibbon Beach, upon the frontage <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Government village reserve <strong>of</strong> 500 acres.<br />
Points <strong>of</strong> Interest along the Coast.<br />
About 3} miles southerly from Port Hacking<br />
Point there is a Government reserve having<br />
frontage to the ocean at Marley Beach. Partly<br />
within this reserve and partly upon the<br />
National Park is a fine lagoon or lakelet,<br />
formerly a favourite resort for wild duck and<br />
other game; and as shooting is prohibited<br />
upon the park, game should ultimately<br />
again become plentiful in the neighbourhood.<br />
Half a mile southerly is Little Marley, a<br />
small ocean-beach. About lf mile further<br />
south-westerly, or 5! miles from Port Hacking<br />
Point, the pretty boat-harbour and good<br />
fishing-grounds <strong>of</strong> "\V attamolla are reached.<br />
"Within !-mile <strong>of</strong> W attamolla, still southwesrerly,<br />
there is the ocean inlet <strong>of</strong> Curracurrang,<br />
and at the south-eastern corner <strong>of</strong><br />
the park, and extending for !-mile northerly<br />
therefrom, is the beautiful ocean-beach Garie.<br />
It is :fittingly backed by charming valleys,<br />
bedecked with cabbage-tree palms, tree-ferns,<br />
myrtles, &c. Garie beach, which adjoins Mr.<br />
Collaery's Garie Estate, is distant in a direct<br />
line 9 miles from Port Hacking Point, 10<br />
miles by road from Simpson's "Tyreal House"<br />
or from the Spit, and 8 miles by road from<br />
Audley (National Park camp). At frequent<br />
intervals the views from those roads, which<br />
are generally along the summits <strong>of</strong> ranges<br />
which intersect the park, splendid and extensive<br />
views are visible.<br />
The beautiful bays <strong>of</strong> Port Hacking, Cronulla<br />
Beach, Botany Bay, the Ocean, Bulgo<br />
Mountain, &c., are seen to advantage.<br />
Starting again from the foot <strong>of</strong> the zigzag<br />
path below L<strong>of</strong>tus Station, the visitor may<br />
now (as a result <strong>of</strong> the judicious improvements<br />
effected under tho direction <strong>of</strong> the park<br />
trustees, including the construction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
dam at Audley, Lady Carrington Road, &c.,<br />
and clearing Port Hacking River and Kangaroo<br />
Creek <strong>of</strong> snags ( fallen timber) and<br />
detached rocks formerly in the channels)<br />
comfortably inspect the beautiful foliage, landand<br />
water- scapes <strong>of</strong> the valleys <strong>of</strong> these<br />
streams, and <strong>of</strong> Bola Creek, &c., either upon<br />
foot or riding, driving, or for over 5 miles by<br />
boat-the latter, perhaps, the most enjoyable<br />
means so far as can be availed <strong>of</strong>. The dam,<br />
300 feet across, solidly constructed <strong>of</strong> clay,<br />
stone, &c., with a roadway 33 feet wide on<br />
top, is a great advantage; and its successful<br />
construction, with the result <strong>of</strong> converting<br />
insignificant, salt-water streams, which<br />
could not be rowed over in the smallest boats
- ~ .<br />
30 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
at low tide, practically into a charming freshwater<br />
lake, 5} miles in length, and continu- ·<br />
ously navigable at all times by the largest<br />
boats or by small steam-launches, is an<br />
achievement in respect <strong>of</strong> which the park<br />
trustees may well be congratulated. Vegebtion<br />
characteristic <strong>of</strong> fresh-water rivers is<br />
now thriving, and will in the future aflord<br />
fine cover for game, which will increase in<br />
number, as shooting in the park is strictly<br />
prohibited. The trmitees have caused to be<br />
introduced to the river trout and English<br />
perch, obtained from Lake Wendorure, at<br />
Ballarat, thanks to the kindness <strong>of</strong> the<br />
municipal authorities <strong>of</strong> that city.<br />
Three hundred yards above the dam, at<br />
the confluence <strong>of</strong> Kangaroo Creek with the<br />
Port Hacking River, Audley, the main<br />
National Park camp, is charmingly situated,<br />
and is well worthy <strong>of</strong> a visit. When in the<br />
vicinity <strong>of</strong> the main camp, the visitor should<br />
proceed about 200 yards up the hill, towards<br />
L<strong>of</strong>tus, and at a rocky pass, known as<br />
" The Demon's Gate," inspect a very remarkable,<br />
hollow sandstone-rock, which, externally,<br />
has an appearance <strong>of</strong> solidity, but<br />
internally is honeycombed in a marvellous<br />
manner. This hollow rock formed an excellent,<br />
dry, gunpowder-and-fuse store when the adjacent<br />
park-roads were under formation.<br />
At present, the most comfortable way <strong>of</strong><br />
exploring the navigable part <strong>of</strong> Kangaroo<br />
Creek is by boat ; the bordering foliage<br />
<strong>of</strong> this creek is not so varied as that on the<br />
banks <strong>of</strong> the main river. There are, however,<br />
on its banks num.erous specimens <strong>of</strong> handsome<br />
pine-trees, christmas-bush, &c., which<br />
present a pretty appearance. The many<br />
beauties <strong>of</strong> Port Hacking River above the<br />
dam and its immediate surroundings may be<br />
seen to equal advantage from the road as<br />
from a boat ; the road is at a level generally<br />
<strong>of</strong> about 20 feet above the water. It may<br />
not be amiss here to describe the road along<br />
the right, back <strong>of</strong> Port Hacking River, from<br />
the dam to the southernmost boundary <strong>of</strong> the<br />
park. This road is named Lady Carrington<br />
Road.<br />
Proceeding southerly from the dam, the<br />
road which forms a pretty walk or drive,<br />
skirts the easterly margin <strong>of</strong> a fine flat <strong>of</strong><br />
about 10 aeres; to the left, the newly constructed<br />
road towards the deer park and<br />
Garie branches <strong>of</strong>f. At half a mile from the<br />
dam, on Lady Carrington Road, two beautiful<br />
canopies <strong>of</strong> wide-spreading tree ferns<br />
upon the second flat are passed.<br />
At i-mile this road passes under . thB<br />
picturesque cliff named Gibraltar, and 100<br />
yards further southerly Mullion (Eagle)<br />
Brook is crossed. In the early summer time<br />
the valley <strong>of</strong> this small brook usually appears<br />
gay with torch-lily plants in flower, a truly<br />
striking spectacle.<br />
At vVarrul (Bee) Brook, about 1 mile from<br />
the dam, tall christmas-bushes 30 feet high<br />
are in view, and in some seasons the topmos3<br />
branches bend over nearly to the ground with<br />
the weight <strong>of</strong> the blossoms. At this part<br />
fine views are presented <strong>of</strong> the luxuriant flat<br />
upon the opposite side <strong>of</strong> the river, and from<br />
which are growing cabbage-tree palms, tree<br />
ferns, vines, numerous mimosre, myrtle, and<br />
several specimens <strong>of</strong> the specially beautiful<br />
plant or small tree, aralia panax. Throughout<br />
the road beautiful glimpses <strong>of</strong> the river<br />
are frequently seen.<br />
Two miles from the dam, Karoga (White<br />
Crane) Brook, opposite a charmingly picturesque<br />
curve in the river, is reached. The<br />
road then traverses a pretty . jungle at the<br />
base <strong>of</strong> a fine cliff, and at 2-l- miles the river<br />
again comes into view, with some splendid<br />
foliage on each bank. Upon the left bank the<br />
vista is especially fin~. The cabbage-palms<br />
at this part are very beautiful; the dense,<br />
glossy vines, with occasional tree ferns, the<br />
lillypilly plants, and turpentine trees showing<br />
in becoming contrast. At 3} miles Birumba<br />
(Plover) Brook is attained. Opposite, across<br />
the river, is the patch <strong>of</strong> rich brush-land<br />
known as the Lower Peach Trees, where forty<br />
years back some sawyers planted some peach<br />
seeds, and for many years afterwards fine<br />
peach-trees :flourished ; but nearly all have<br />
<strong>of</strong> late been destroyed by bush-fires. At<br />
3f miles distant the locality <strong>of</strong> the Upper<br />
Peach Trees is reached. This also was a<br />
sawyer's camp. At Dumbul (Crow) Brook,<br />
4 miles southerly from the dam, the river<br />
Lends to the south-west, and at 4f miles<br />
from the dam, in the dense brush upon the<br />
left-hand side <strong>of</strong> the river, and seen to<br />
advantage from Lady Carrington Road, is<br />
perhaps the finest and most varied foliage<br />
within 100 miles from Sydney. The tall
ITINERARY-SYDNEY TO WATERFALL. 31<br />
forest-trees, upwards <strong>of</strong> 100 feet in height,<br />
are covered with beautiful vines, some <strong>of</strong><br />
which bear immense numbers <strong>of</strong> creamcoloured<br />
flowers towards the end <strong>of</strong> September.<br />
Intermixed are magnificent specimens <strong>of</strong><br />
Bangalo palms (seaforthia elegans), cabbagepalms,<br />
birds-nest ferns, tree ferns, several<br />
specimens <strong>of</strong> aralia panax, with a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> lillypilly, myrtle, and mimosa bushes.<br />
Through the vines, marvellously long native<br />
canes are in places growing to the height <strong>of</strong><br />
about 100 feet, and the spectacle is simply<br />
entrancing.<br />
For some distance further along the road<br />
the scenery, except at the creeks, which are<br />
all crossed by extra-strong, well constructed<br />
bridges, is not specially interesting until<br />
Polona (Hawk) Brook, at 5-!- miles is reached.<br />
At the easterly side <strong>of</strong> the road, a few yards<br />
from the creek, stands a handsome, majestic,<br />
turpentine tree, upright as an arrow, and<br />
fully 120 feet high. Between Polona Brook<br />
and Bola Creek Bridge, the latter 6 miles<br />
from the dam, the foliage immediately adjoi1:ing<br />
each side <strong>of</strong> the road is singularly<br />
varied; tree ferns, and cabbage-tree ferns are<br />
very numerous, and occasional specimens <strong>of</strong><br />
aralia panax come into view, and at all times<br />
the perfume from the shrubs and flowers at<br />
this place is very marked and pleasant.<br />
Upon each side <strong>of</strong> Bola. Creek there are<br />
majestic forest-trees, principally blackbutt<br />
and turpentine. Midway between Polona<br />
Brook and Bola Creek, Lady Carrington<br />
Road diverts from the river bank, and after<br />
crossing Bola Creek over an admirably constructed<br />
timber bridge <strong>of</strong> great strength,<br />
built mainly <strong>of</strong> turpentine piles and girders,<br />
deeply embedded, mortised, and fixed into<br />
the hard, smooth rock at creek bed. The<br />
road still diverts from Port Hacking river,<br />
and keeps for half a mile under the easterly<br />
side <strong>of</strong> the isolated high hill known as the<br />
Island. At 6-l- miles, the crest <strong>of</strong> the saddle<br />
between the Island and the range dividing<br />
the waters at Bola Creek from Port Hacking<br />
River is crossed, and the road by an easy grade<br />
again decends southerly towards that river.<br />
At 6! miles is marked, to branch to the<br />
west, a line for a road to cross Port Hacking<br />
River, and to lead to Waterfall Station. At<br />
7 f miles from the dam, Lady Carrington<br />
Road crosses by a substantial bridge a lovely<br />
glen, fitly named. Palm Creek from the<br />
numerous cabbage-palms growing there.<br />
·within 100 yards southerly from the bridge,<br />
between the road and the river, is an<br />
unusually fine red-cedar tree, upwards <strong>of</strong> 70<br />
feet high. The red cedar is one <strong>of</strong> the few<br />
Australian trees which shed its leaves in the<br />
winter; and at 8} miles the southernmost<br />
boundary <strong>of</strong> the park is reached. Near the<br />
corner tree is a very fine blackbutt conspicuously<br />
marked 43 over N.P.R. This road<br />
will, probably, be continued by private enterprise<br />
through private lands until it reaches<br />
the Illawarra railway at about 29f miles<br />
from Sydney, near Otforcl, and about 41<br />
miles beyond the southernmost boundary <strong>of</strong><br />
the National Park.<br />
Heathcote, 630 feet above sea-level,<br />
20} miles.-Beyond the junction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
branch line the main Illawarra railway curves<br />
to the south-west, and proceeds in a direct<br />
line for 2! miles ; then a southerly course is<br />
takeni passing Messrs. Rowe & Smith's brickworks<br />
at 19! miles, and Mr. Riggison's<br />
bee-farm, Bottle Forest, at 20 miles, and<br />
Heathcote station is reached 20k miles from<br />
Sydney. The platform is a few yards easterly<br />
from the main road, where the park<br />
boundary joins Mr. Harber's estate. Half a<br />
mile further east, at the northerly side <strong>of</strong><br />
Still Creek, there is rich brush-land, partly<br />
upon the park and partly upon Bottle Forest<br />
freehold land. One mile north-easterly from<br />
the platform, upon a hill 700 feet above sealevel,<br />
excellent views are outained on clear<br />
days. The ocean and Port Hacking are<br />
visible from this hill-summit. Joining the<br />
westerl,y side <strong>of</strong> the main road, immediately<br />
opposite Heathcote Station, a Government<br />
village, to be known as the village <strong>of</strong> Heathcote,<br />
has recently been surveyed (May, <strong>1886</strong>)<br />
in suitable allotments, and extending northerly<br />
and southerly from Bottle Creek. About<br />
600 acres have been subdivided into 130<br />
suburban portions from about 2 to 10 acres.<br />
The lands surveyed and cleared (by the<br />
unemployed) are at altitudes from about 500<br />
to 700 feet above sea-level, and will form<br />
very healthy residential sites. Early in<br />
September next (<strong>1886</strong>) the allotments and<br />
portions "Vl'ill be <strong>of</strong>fered for sale at auction<br />
upon the ground.
- ~ .<br />
32 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
Waterfalls Station, 24 miles, the<br />
present terminus <strong>of</strong> the Illawarra <strong>Railway</strong>,<br />
730 feet above sea-level.-From<br />
Heathcote the line proceeds south-westerly for<br />
li mile to the railway water-tanks at 720 feet<br />
above; thence the direction is southerly to<br />
Waterfall Station at 24 miles 32 chains-the<br />
first crossing,at 23 miles,highest level 780feet,<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Illawarra railway. Direct west f-mile<br />
from Waterfall Station is erected the Trigonometrical<br />
Station, at the altitude <strong>of</strong> 880 feet<br />
above sea-level, upon the summit <strong>of</strong> Mount<br />
W estmacott, a most conspicuous land-mark.<br />
Between the railway station and that mountain<br />
a deep gorge intervenes, the base <strong>of</strong> which is<br />
about 600 feet below the Trigonometrical Station.<br />
·within the National Park, and immediately<br />
easterly from Waterfall Station, is a<br />
source <strong>of</strong> Waterfall Creek which, after running<br />
! -mile easterly, is joined by a northerly<br />
afiluent; thence it becomes a permanent brook<br />
with a succession <strong>of</strong> fine pools <strong>of</strong> the purest<br />
fresh water. One <strong>of</strong> these pools, at li mile<br />
from the railway, affords an excellent bathingplace<br />
with a clear, smooth, rocky bottom and<br />
a miniature sand-beach at the lower end.<br />
One mile further easterly the waterfalls are<br />
reached. The first, a sheer fall <strong>of</strong> 46 feet,<br />
and the second 111 feet. The scenery at<br />
this part is well worthy <strong>of</strong> inspection, and is<br />
<strong>of</strong> a bold and varied description. From the<br />
summit <strong>of</strong> the second fall an uninterrupted<br />
view <strong>of</strong> the excellent forest in the Valley<br />
Creek, and extending beyond Port Hacking<br />
River, is obtained. immediately below the<br />
falls the foliage is richly varied, comprising<br />
tree ferns, birds' -nest ferns, and other ferns,<br />
cabbage-tree palms, coach wood, and turpentine<br />
trees, with a few sassafras trees. Three<br />
quarters <strong>of</strong> a mile northerly from Waterfall<br />
Creek, upon each side <strong>of</strong> Port Hacking River,<br />
there is probably the finest forest within 100<br />
miles <strong>of</strong> Sydney. Within it are blackbutt<br />
trees attaining to the height <strong>of</strong> about 200<br />
feet, and turpentine trees np to 150 feet.<br />
To the waterfalls, and through the forest in<br />
the valley <strong>of</strong> the creek below, a line for a<br />
roadway has recently (June, <strong>1886</strong>) been<br />
marked upon the ground, to cross Port Hacking<br />
River and join Lady Carrington Road,<br />
about fmile north-easterly from Palm Creek<br />
bridge. This road will shortly be cleared,<br />
and doubtless will become a favourite resort<br />
<strong>of</strong> pedestrians or horsemen.<br />
III.-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE-THE WESTERN LINE.<br />
p ARRAMATTA.<br />
Parramatta Station, 14 miles; 49 feet<br />
above sea-level.-The traveller proceeding<br />
from the Granville to the Parramatta<br />
Station, first (by a sharp turn and deep<br />
cutting) passe:::; through a short hilly piece<br />
<strong>of</strong> bush country, and then he has before him<br />
a charming view <strong>of</strong> Parramatta, with its<br />
many fine churches and other public buildings.<br />
Parramatta* (originally called "Rose<br />
Hill"), situated at the head <strong>of</strong> the navigation<br />
<strong>of</strong> Parramatta River, communicating<br />
directly with the waters <strong>of</strong> Port Jackson,<br />
is one <strong>of</strong> the oldest towns in the Colony.<br />
Indeed it was once, by all accounts, and<br />
curiously enough, intended for the capital,<br />
* Parramatta is connected with Sydney by<br />
steamers, plying to and fro daily on the Parramatta<br />
River. By these steamers, Subiaco, Newington,<br />
Ermington, Kissing Point or Ryde, Gladesville,<br />
Villa Maria, Hunter's Hill, Biloela, Fitzroy Dock,<br />
and other places on the said river (or rather estuary)<br />
may be most conveniently reached,<br />
or at least the chief seat <strong>of</strong> Government;<br />
in pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> which it is alleged that St.<br />
John's Church was (somewhat pretentiously<br />
for those early days) built with its two<br />
towers-exactly copied from the "Reculvers"<br />
in Kent-to serve for a Cathedral. For<br />
many years the Governors continued to<br />
reside here, and the town flourished as the<br />
second place in the Colony. Then, for an<br />
interval, it not only made no progress,<br />
but actually appeared to be hastening to<br />
decay. The <strong>Railway</strong>, however (which is<br />
said to have destroyed some <strong>of</strong> the old<br />
inland towns) has most certainly given an<br />
invigorating impetus to the existence <strong>of</strong><br />
Parramatta; for it is now, year by year,<br />
extending, and becoming more and more a<br />
distant suburb (as it were) <strong>of</strong> our sea-side<br />
metropolis. Some fine houses have now<br />
been built near the <strong>Railway</strong> Station. The<br />
present population <strong>of</strong> Parramatta is about<br />
8,500 persons. It supports three local news-
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 33<br />
papers (" The Cumberland Merwry," "The<br />
Independent," and "1'he Ouniberland Tirnes").<br />
There are numerous Government and charitable<br />
institutions at Parramatta, such as the<br />
Gaol, the Orphan Schools, the Lunatic and<br />
Benevolent Asylums, &c., &c. There are<br />
several good hotels. There are also in Parramatta<br />
a Free Public Library, a flourishing<br />
Mechanics' Institute, three Public Schools,<br />
and six Churches. The King's School, near<br />
Parramatta Bridge, was long the only grammar<br />
school in the Colony, and is still a most<br />
useful scholastic institution; revived <strong>of</strong> late<br />
years by the Rev. G. F. Macarthur. The<br />
old Government Domain, which is one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
prettiest in the Colony, is now utilized a a<br />
beautiful park, belonging to the townspeople.<br />
Mr. Purchase's and .Mr. Sheather's nurseries<br />
are also well worthv <strong>of</strong> a visit. Parramatta<br />
has been an incorporated municipality since<br />
the year 1861. The villages and places<br />
which are more or less connected with this<br />
town are--Castle Hill, Dural, Enfield, Field <strong>of</strong><br />
Mars, Gannon's Forest, Guildford, Hornsby,<br />
Liberty Plains, Pennant Hills, and Prospect.<br />
Seven Hills Station, 20 miles; 113 feet<br />
above sea-level.-After leaving the Parramatta<br />
Station the traveller in the " down<br />
train" (that is the train proceeding to the<br />
westward) passes over a viaduct, and along<br />
an embankment, from which there is a fine<br />
view <strong>of</strong> the town and <strong>of</strong> the neighbouring<br />
country to the north <strong>of</strong> it. The picturesque<br />
old Ge01·gian brick Parsonage may then be<br />
noticed, yet standing on the hills to the left ;<br />
whilst nearer still, lying only a few yards<br />
from the Railroad, the old Burial-ground<br />
claims a passing glance, as the resting-place<br />
<strong>of</strong> that well-beloved "stainless patriot" Robert<br />
Campbell, and <strong>of</strong> other historical celebrities.<br />
Further on, and to the right, a glimpse is<br />
next caught <strong>of</strong> the ci-devant Government<br />
House, with the adjacent undulating glades,<br />
gardens, and shrubberies <strong>of</strong> the Public Park<br />
-scenes <strong>of</strong> many a gay and festive event,<br />
and <strong>of</strong> some very sorrowful ones-the oaks,<br />
pines, and other choice trees, reviving pleasing<br />
recollections <strong>of</strong> a distant fatherland.<br />
Then comes a deep cutting, and the train<br />
sweeps past the site formerly occupied as<br />
the show place <strong>of</strong> the Australian Agricultural<br />
Association-when the yearly exhi-<br />
hitions <strong>of</strong> that body were more local than<br />
national ; chiefly confined to ploughing<br />
matches, and manifestations <strong>of</strong> cattle, horses,<br />
sheep, fowls, and dogs, and farmers' machinery.<br />
The country now becomes much<br />
more interesting, frequent orange groves <strong>of</strong><br />
dark green foliage, decked with "the golden<br />
fruit <strong>of</strong> the gardens <strong>of</strong> the Hesperides,"<br />
imparting a new and delightful charm to the<br />
beauty <strong>of</strong> an ever-changing landscape. In<br />
the centre <strong>of</strong> this district a platform called<br />
Toongabbie has been established. Well<br />
grassed apple-tree flats, with undulating and<br />
more open country, and farm-houses, gardens,<br />
and cottages succeed; until after a run <strong>of</strong><br />
6 miles from Parramatta the train stops for<br />
a moment, at the quiet little rural station<br />
<strong>of</strong> Seven Hil1s-a locality once, by early<br />
colonists (less ambitiously, and, after a comical<br />
outburst <strong>of</strong> vice-regal impatience, rather<br />
fcwetiously) designated as "Now here."<br />
Blacktown Station and Junction, 22<br />
miles; 183 feet above sea-level.-Two<br />
miles from the Seven Hills Station ( through<br />
a somewhat uninteresting but useful country)<br />
stands the station <strong>of</strong> Blacktown ; a locality<br />
owing its name to an institution which was<br />
unavailingly formed here many years ago by<br />
Governor Macquarie, for the education and<br />
civilization <strong>of</strong> the aborigines. In the<br />
country between Seven Hills and Blacktown,<br />
on either side <strong>of</strong> the road, numerous herds<br />
<strong>of</strong> cattle and flocks <strong>of</strong> sheep are usually to<br />
be seen, browsing in serene and blissful<br />
unconsciousness <strong>of</strong> their approaching fate;<br />
as though abattoirs were things that had no<br />
possible existence, and metropolitan butchers<br />
and their hungry city customers were<br />
nothing but nonentities. As you come<br />
along pretty bits <strong>of</strong> scenery may here and<br />
there be observed; open, partially wooded,<br />
hills-with occasional signs <strong>of</strong> cultivation,<br />
farms, ponds, orchards, and flats-appear to<br />
the right, and orange groves and pretty<br />
country residences are unfolded to the left.<br />
There is, however, nothing here calling for<br />
particular remark; except, perhaps, a quaint<br />
and unexpected piece <strong>of</strong> the Old Western<br />
Road, with its broken-down wayside inn,<br />
visible for just a moment, before the Railroad<br />
turns abruptly away to the right, so bringing<br />
the railway traveller to the Blacktown<br />
C
34 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
Station. At Blacktown there is a miniature<br />
terminus for the Richmond and Sydney subsidiary<br />
branch, which here joins on ~o the<br />
Western Trunk Line. Blacktown is at present<br />
a small place, chiefly depending on the <strong>Railway</strong>,<br />
with two or three stores and inns <strong>of</strong> a<br />
humble and unimportant character; but as<br />
land in the vicinity has recently been subdivided,<br />
and Blacktown forms the depot<br />
intended for goods going to the Prospect<br />
reservoir the place is rapidly waking up. As<br />
the train approaches the Blacktown Station<br />
you catch sight <strong>of</strong> a distant and limited view<br />
<strong>of</strong> the far-famed Blue Mountains.<br />
Rooty Hill Station, 25 miles ; 131 feet<br />
above sea-level.-After leaving the Blacktown<br />
station a lovely view <strong>of</strong> the Blue<br />
Mountains is disclosed to the right, peeping<br />
over the trees across a flat and uninteresting<br />
country. This tract, immediately adjoining<br />
the line, is but partially wooded, huts and cottages<br />
appearing occasionally, some with holdings<br />
and gardens, and some without. Before<br />
Rooty Hill is reached ( after an interval <strong>of</strong> 3<br />
miles) there is a grand outline prospect <strong>of</strong><br />
the Blue Mountains to the westward, across<br />
an open country, with the seat <strong>of</strong> Walter<br />
Lamb, Esq., in the distance. Large quantities<br />
<strong>of</strong> :firewood are hence despatched to Sydney.<br />
Through the instrumentality <strong>of</strong> that wellknown<br />
sportsman, Mr. Walter Lamb, a<br />
coursing ground has been established about l<br />
mile from the station, and at certain periods<br />
very successful coursing meetings, under tbe<br />
auspices <strong>of</strong> the Sydney Coursing Club, are held.<br />
St. Marys (formerly South Creek<br />
Station), 29 miles; 113 feet above sealevel.<br />
-The country on either side <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Railroad, after it paE'.ses by the Rooty Hill<br />
Station to the westward is, for the most<br />
part, open, flat, and poor. Here and there<br />
the line passes through the bush, but there<br />
are not many trees near it. Before arriving<br />
at the South Creek Station (which is 18 feet<br />
lower than Rooty Hill), the traveller may<br />
get another fine view <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountain<br />
Range, which he is now approaching. St.<br />
Mary's Station is about 4 miles west <strong>of</strong> Rooty<br />
Hill, and about half a mile away to the north<br />
<strong>of</strong> St. Mary's-an old, pleasant, and prosperous<br />
village, on the Sydney and Penrith Road,<br />
chiefly dependent upon agricultural and<br />
grazing pursuits. Dairy farming, and wine<br />
making are also carried on. Large supplies<br />
<strong>of</strong> timber and firewood are likewise cut here,<br />
and forwarded by the line to Sydney, for use<br />
on the <strong>Railway</strong> and for sale. Tanning is<br />
largely carried on at this place, and a large<br />
number <strong>of</strong> bricks are also made. The principal<br />
hotAls are the "Commercial" and<br />
" Volunteer" kept by Messrs. Brynes and<br />
Cullen. Metropolitan sportsmen can <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
get a good day's shooting here, as hares, much<br />
to the annoyance <strong>of</strong> the farmers, are becoming-<br />
fairly numerous in the district. South<br />
Creek takes its name from a considerable<br />
tributary to the river Hawkesbury, into<br />
which it eventually flows near Windsor.<br />
Parkes Platform, 31 miles; about 100<br />
feet above sea-level.-After passing by the<br />
South Creek station a fine view <strong>of</strong> the Great<br />
Western Highlands is gained to the right <strong>of</strong><br />
the line and to the westward. There is then<br />
a flat partially wooded country for 2 miles<br />
until you arrive at the Parkes Platform and<br />
Siding, 3 miles from Penrith.<br />
Penrith Station, 34 miles ; 88 feet<br />
above sea-leve1.-Penrith, 12 miles west <strong>of</strong><br />
Blacktown, is a quaint old inland township,<br />
the last station reached by travellers in the<br />
so-called " down" trains before they begin to<br />
ascend the Blue Mountains. In the "coaching<br />
and bullock-driving days"-when the<br />
neighbouring river had to be crossed by<br />
vehicles in a punt-Penrith was a very bustling<br />
and flourishing place, and it appears<br />
sufficiently prosperous at present-certainly<br />
far from going back. It is surrounded by<br />
broad pasture lands, and alluvial plains, <strong>of</strong> a<br />
great extent and singular fertility; bounded<br />
westerly by the river N epean, soon to<br />
assume the better known name <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Hawkesbury. The town itself is a municipality,<br />
with ratable property reported to be<br />
<strong>of</strong> upwards <strong>of</strong> £120,000 value; the population<br />
<strong>of</strong> the township was in 1881 1,467 ; it<br />
has 45 miles <strong>of</strong> streets, roads, and lanes.<br />
There are four churches, belonging respectively<br />
to the Protestant Episcopalian, Roman
ITINERARY-PA.RRAMA.TTA TO BOURKE. 35<br />
Catholic, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan Communions,<br />
and a fine Town Hall has recently been<br />
erected. The course <strong>of</strong> the N epean runs<br />
parallel to the town, at the distance <strong>of</strong> about<br />
a mile from the station, where it is crossed<br />
by a boldly designed and admirably constructed<br />
iron tubular bridge-supported by<br />
four huge piers <strong>of</strong> solid masonry, the two<br />
centre ones being 58 by 17 ! feet at their<br />
foundation, with an extreme height <strong>of</strong> 59<br />
feet. These piers are 186 feet apart. Altogether<br />
it is one <strong>of</strong> the finest works <strong>of</strong> the<br />
kind in the Oolony, and <strong>of</strong> itself worth going<br />
to Penrith to see. (See view <strong>of</strong> Nepectn.)<br />
5 miles to the south <strong>of</strong> the town the river<br />
flows down northerly through a tremendous<br />
gap in the hills ; and, the heights on either<br />
side being well-wooded, many charming effects<br />
are produced. The visitor will find good<br />
accommodation at Mr. Squire's private establishment,<br />
situated on the banks <strong>of</strong> the N epean.<br />
A steam launch is kept here, and by it the<br />
visitor will be enabled to take a trip up the<br />
river. The views <strong>of</strong> river scenery are<br />
unrivalled, and 12 miles from Penrith, near<br />
where the W arragamba flows into theN epean,<br />
you will reach the basin, an immense natural<br />
bath. The depth <strong>of</strong> the water in it has never<br />
yet been ascertained. A writer says, '' It<br />
would be difficult to conceive scenery more<br />
beautiful than that which characterises the<br />
junction <strong>of</strong> the N epean with the Warragamba.<br />
The Blue Mountains close in upon the rivers,<br />
while the latter winds round about all the<br />
points and corners as though loath to leave<br />
places so pleasant." There are several good<br />
inns in Penrith, one <strong>of</strong> these being not far<br />
from the station. Penrith is the place <strong>of</strong><br />
nomination for the N epean Electorate. The<br />
places near Penrith (besides those already<br />
mentioned as having been traversed by the<br />
line), are Mulgoa, Greendale, Regentsville,<br />
Luddenham, Bringelly, Castlereagh, and<br />
Emu.<br />
Emu Plains Station, 86 miles ; 87 feet<br />
above sea-level - The attention <strong>of</strong> the<br />
traveller by the train leaving Penrith for the<br />
mountains must ( even previous to his .arrival<br />
at the tubular bridge over the N epean) be<br />
agreeably occupied with the scenery before<br />
him to the westward, where he observes<br />
verdant plains, fringed in the distance by the<br />
winding edge <strong>of</strong> a rolling country, the grassy<br />
knolls <strong>of</strong> which are pleasingly dotted here<br />
and there with clumps <strong>of</strong> trees. Beyond this<br />
charming picture the majestic "Blue Mountains<br />
" rise abruptly, like a vast natural<br />
fortification, overgrown almost everywhere<br />
with sombre foliage, and extending for many<br />
miles from the south to the north towards<br />
Castlereagh, their base being washed by the<br />
N epean. ( See view <strong>of</strong> the Nepean-evening.)<br />
Along the broken face <strong>of</strong> this grand barrier,<br />
not cerulean here but dark, green, and grey,<br />
the <strong>Railway</strong> line may be seen winding upwards-past<br />
huge rocks and deep declivities,<br />
alternating with dense woods, the noble<br />
viaduct across Knapsack Gully being hence<br />
already distinguishable. The train sweeps<br />
noisily over the tnbular bridge above described<br />
; crosses the rich alluvial plain beyond<br />
the river and under cultivation-where grain,<br />
fruit, and vegetables appear to be the chief<br />
products-and at the distance <strong>of</strong> 2 miles from<br />
Penrith, quickly reaches the Emu Plains<br />
Station, where the first ridge <strong>of</strong> the mountain<br />
begins. This station commands a comprehensive<br />
view <strong>of</strong> the First Zigzag, by means<br />
<strong>of</strong> which the heights <strong>of</strong> Lapstone Hill are to<br />
be gained and passed. The immediate neighbourhood<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Emu Plains Station (having<br />
been successfully occupied as an agricultural<br />
settlement from the earliest day <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Colony) presents many pretty rural pictures<br />
<strong>of</strong> gardens, orchards, corn-fields, homesteads,<br />
and villages-assimilating, in many <strong>of</strong> its<br />
features, to portions <strong>of</strong> moorland scenery in<br />
the west <strong>of</strong> England.<br />
Lucasville Platform, 39 miles; about<br />
700 feet above sea-level.-Lucasville Platform-standing<br />
on the upper edge <strong>of</strong> the<br />
eastern face <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountains, where<br />
the line turns <strong>of</strong>f to the westward-is merely<br />
a solitary spot at which the train stops when<br />
signalled for; but between it and the Emu<br />
Plains Station beneath there is a shifting<br />
series <strong>of</strong> panoramic views <strong>of</strong> all the lowland<br />
country in the county <strong>of</strong> Cumberland, such<br />
as for extent and beauty can hardly be surpassed.<br />
As you leave the Emu Plains Station<br />
and begin gradually to ascend the steep incline-away<br />
to the south towards Mu1goa,<br />
Greenda1e, and Luddenham-your eyes can<br />
first feast themselves for a moment on that
36 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
fair prospect in mid distance--the already<br />
mentioned Gorge <strong>of</strong> the N epean. Then, a<br />
few yards further on, as the train rises more<br />
slowlytowardsthe FirstZigzag,you arecarried<br />
past trees and woodland scenery to the left,<br />
with a deep gully (or "ghyll," as Wordsworth<br />
would have termed it) to the right; after<br />
which, "as from the stroke <strong>of</strong> an enchanter's<br />
wand," a wide and magnificent expanse <strong>of</strong><br />
level county, stretching away far below,<br />
bursts, in all its unexpected glory, upon your<br />
dazzled sight. In this great range <strong>of</strong> open<br />
plains-the extreme limits <strong>of</strong> which are faintly<br />
defined by the ethereal outlines <strong>of</strong> the light<br />
blue hills on the coast--the to,vn <strong>of</strong> Penrith<br />
(at the distance <strong>of</strong> 4 or 5 miles) is displayed<br />
to the greatest advantage, with its public<br />
buildings and churches on the other side <strong>of</strong><br />
the N epean. The winding course <strong>of</strong> this<br />
truly royal stream, stretching for miles and<br />
miles like a broad blue "garter ribbon," is<br />
seen traversing the westerly portion <strong>of</strong> this<br />
unequalled champaign, the land near to its<br />
banks being, for the most part, treeless/<br />
although a long thick belt <strong>of</strong> forest landmore<br />
or less enveloped in hazy atmospheric<br />
tints <strong>of</strong> grey, cobalt, or purple--is visible<br />
beyond the plains. All the nearer portion<br />
<strong>of</strong> the lowlands is either cultivated or laid<br />
out in bright verdant pastures, especially<br />
rom1d about Penrith, along the N epean, and<br />
to the north-eastward ; the open country<br />
being dotted here and there with villages,<br />
farms, homesteads, and orangeries-and intersected<br />
by narrow roads and picturesque<br />
remnants <strong>of</strong> forest. As you continue to rise,<br />
and shift from slope to slope <strong>of</strong> the " Zigzag,"<br />
the prospect before you is more and more<br />
displayed,-back to the south-east, towards<br />
Camden, and directly to the southward,<br />
whence the N epean flows placidly do-,':"n, from<br />
the junction <strong>of</strong> the Cowpasture and vV arragamba<br />
Rivers, on its way to the distant sea.<br />
You have by this time arrived at the Knapsack<br />
Gully Viaduct (245 feet above Emu<br />
Plains), boldly erected across a steep and<br />
stony gorge by the genius <strong>of</strong> the Engineerin-chief<br />
John Whitton. This admirable and<br />
imposing structure (which Imperial Rome,<br />
in her palmy days, might have been proud<br />
to claim), consists <strong>of</strong> seven successive<br />
arches-five <strong>of</strong> 50 feet span, and two <strong>of</strong> 20.<br />
It is <strong>of</strong> solid masonry throughout, the<br />
stones having been set in the best Portland<br />
cement-built for a single line <strong>of</strong> railway,<br />
and with an incline along it <strong>of</strong> 1 foot in 30<br />
feet. The length <strong>of</strong> this viaduct is 388 feet,<br />
and its greatest height, from the foundation<br />
in the rock to the level <strong>of</strong> the rails, is 126<br />
feet. Several panoramic views <strong>of</strong> Cumberland<br />
increasingly developed are shown to the<br />
traveller and abruptly withdrawn, as the<br />
train proceeds. First, it goes 200 or 300<br />
yards in one direction, rising slowly every<br />
yard until it stops; then, by the co-operation<br />
<strong>of</strong> the skilled engineer and the watchful<br />
pointsman, the train is quickly "reversed"<br />
and launched back upon another ascending<br />
gradient, in an opposite direction, up to a<br />
corresponding point. From that, the zigzag<br />
mode <strong>of</strong> progression is once more resumed ;<br />
until at length (by successive changes <strong>of</strong> direction,<br />
and in an incredibly short time) the<br />
train is found to have deftly climbed to an<br />
elevation <strong>of</strong> nearly 700 feet. The consequent<br />
alteration <strong>of</strong> climate at the top <strong>of</strong> the Zigzag<br />
is very remarkable; exhilarating and sudden,<br />
not unlike what may sometimes be experienced<br />
after ascending to the summit <strong>of</strong> a very<br />
l<strong>of</strong>ty tower, like the campanile <strong>of</strong> the Town<br />
Hall <strong>of</strong> Sydney. This mode <strong>of</strong> ascent incidentally<br />
develops in a very striking manner<br />
the beauty and the variety <strong>of</strong> the scenery.<br />
Glenbrook Platform, 41 miles ; 766 feet<br />
above sea-level.-After passing the Lucasville<br />
Platform the line is continued, first<br />
westerly, and then with a bend to the northward,<br />
until after an interval <strong>of</strong> rather more<br />
than 2 miles the summit <strong>of</strong> :Gapstone Hill,<br />
near "The Old Pilgrim Inn," is attained.<br />
About half way between Lucasville Platform<br />
and the summit <strong>of</strong> the hill is Glenbrook,<br />
formerly known as Brookdale or W ascoe's<br />
Siding, where water for the engine is obtained.<br />
This platform is properly the first <strong>of</strong> the<br />
mountain stations and on the comparatively<br />
level land running alongside the railway<br />
between here and Mount Victoria, numerous<br />
country residences have been erected which<br />
provide a cool and quiet retreat for busy<br />
city workers in the summer time "after the<br />
heat and burden <strong>of</strong> the day " Glenbrook<br />
is well laid out and the provision <strong>of</strong> wide<br />
reserves will in time make this place very<br />
attractive.
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 37<br />
* Bla'dand's Platform, 42 miles ; 766<br />
feet above sea-level.-This platform, formerly<br />
designated "W ascoe's," is 1 mile north<br />
<strong>of</strong> Glenbrook. An accommodation house has<br />
been established here for visitors who desire to<br />
make a stay. Many fine views can be obtained<br />
in the vicinity <strong>of</strong> the platform, and the gullies<br />
abound in choice specimens <strong>of</strong> ferns and<br />
flowers. Leaving Blaxland (about half a<br />
mile from " The Old Pilgrim Inn") the line<br />
directly proceeds to follow the main range,<br />
dividing the tributaries <strong>of</strong> the N epean and<br />
the Cox from those <strong>of</strong> the Grose River, to<br />
the north and to the north-westward. The<br />
Railroad naturally winds considerably as it<br />
follows the top <strong>of</strong> the range, but takes for the<br />
most part a north-westerly direction, continuing<br />
still to rise until it comes to Springwood,<br />
rather more than 4 miles further on.<br />
The Valley Platform, 46 miles ; 1,048<br />
feet above sea-level.-N ear this quaintlynamed<br />
platform in the br:~ezy highlands<br />
stands " Wyoming," on the north side <strong>of</strong><br />
the Railroad, with its pretty garden and<br />
grounds. Wyoming <strong>of</strong>fers excellent accommodation<br />
for visitors. Near by is the post<br />
and telegraph <strong>of</strong>fice, and the country residences<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mr. Russell, Mr. John Rae, The<br />
Hon. Ge<strong>of</strong>frey Eagar, Mr. Deane, and other<br />
citizens, who have sought here the re-in-<br />
* The nomenclature <strong>of</strong> three <strong>of</strong> the stations on<br />
the vVestern line <strong>of</strong> <strong>Railway</strong> has recently been<br />
changed, viz., Wascoe's, now named ''Blaxland,"<br />
Blue Mountain, now named "Lawson," and<br />
Weatherboard, now named "Wentworth Falls," to<br />
commemorate the first successful exploration <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Blue Mountains. "It was not till 1813 that a<br />
route across these mountains was discovered. A<br />
severe drought had aroused grave apprehensions for<br />
the safety <strong>of</strong> the flocks and herds <strong>of</strong> the Colony,<br />
which were even at that early date beginning to be<br />
appreciated at their true value. Many an arduous<br />
search for water was the result. At length, when<br />
every resource was apparently about to fail, Mr.<br />
W entworth, the pioneer <strong>of</strong> material and social progress<br />
in Australia, in conjunction with Messrs.<br />
Blaxland and Lawson, organized an exploring party<br />
to endeavour to penetrate to the interior through<br />
some <strong>of</strong> the mountain gorges. After encountering<br />
many difficulties the party were fortunate enough<br />
t o discover a pass by wa.y <strong>of</strong> the valley <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Grose, which soon led them to the land <strong>of</strong> plenty,<br />
a~1d the route was immediately marked out as the<br />
lughway to the interior, and has ever since formed<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the old Great Western Road. The <strong>Railway</strong><br />
follows nearly the same course."<br />
vigoration <strong>of</strong> mountain air and the refined<br />
pleasure afforded by the contemplation <strong>of</strong><br />
beautiful scenery. " The Valley " derives<br />
its name from a very lovely far-<strong>of</strong>f prospect<br />
commanded herefrom down the valley (which<br />
is beautifully grassed, open, and park-like)<br />
to the eastward towards the N epean. A<br />
considerable extent <strong>of</strong> land has <strong>of</strong> late years<br />
been here taken up on the ridge to the north<br />
<strong>of</strong> this hamlet, and west <strong>of</strong> Fitzgerald's Gully,<br />
dividing the watersheds <strong>of</strong> the Grose and the<br />
N epean. This gully or creek is well worth a<br />
visit, and has the recommendation <strong>of</strong> being<br />
convenient to the station and easy <strong>of</strong> access.<br />
Springwood Platform, 47 miles; 1,216<br />
feet above sea-level.-Leaving the charming<br />
little mountain village designated " The<br />
Valley," the Railroad winds away westerly<br />
for a mile, and after rising l 00 feet it<br />
brings the traveller to Springwood. The<br />
visitor to Springwood will find excellent hotel<br />
accommodation at the Royal, immediately<br />
opposite the station, or accommodation can<br />
be secured at Martyn's Hotel, a short distance<br />
<strong>of</strong>f. The chief site at Springwood<br />
is Sassafras-so called from the number <strong>of</strong><br />
sassafras trees-or Flying Fox Gully. Formerly<br />
in the fruit season the trees were black<br />
with thousands <strong>of</strong> those strange creatures,<br />
half animal, half bird-flying foxes-and the<br />
sportsman could have plenty <strong>of</strong> sport, while<br />
doing a good service to the fruit-growers, but<br />
the flying foxes have recently been so much<br />
hunted that they have sought fresh haunts.<br />
The road to the gully starts from the ba0k<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Hon. J. B. Hoare's new residence.<br />
After a walk <strong>of</strong> about three-quarters <strong>of</strong> a<br />
mile, the visitor leaves the main track, to take<br />
a not well defined one on the right.-It would<br />
add much to the convenience <strong>of</strong> visitors if a<br />
finger-post were placed at this junction and<br />
the road to the gully better cleared.-After<br />
following this track for a short distance the<br />
head <strong>of</strong> the gully is reached, and the visitor<br />
descends and follows the course <strong>of</strong> a stream<br />
which increases in volume as it flows on.<br />
From the stream- the sides <strong>of</strong> the gully,<br />
thickly timbered, run up in places to three<br />
or four hundred feet. The gully contains<br />
several small but pretty waterfalls. Som,~<br />
little distance down there are some large ponds<br />
<strong>of</strong> water, the largest being at the junction <strong>of</strong>
. 38 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
Sassafras with Clear Water Gully, and here<br />
the luxury <strong>of</strong> bathing may be enjoyed. The<br />
gully is the home <strong>of</strong> many varieties <strong>of</strong> ferns,<br />
fine specimens <strong>of</strong> the tree, staghorn, and<br />
bird's-nest ferns growing here in pr<strong>of</strong>usion;<br />
there are also splendid specimens <strong>of</strong> the<br />
sassafras trees, which unite overhead and<br />
give a grateful shade. In addition to Sassafras<br />
there is a pretty glen called Madoline,<br />
opposite and but a few yards from the<br />
station. Springwood is said to be one <strong>of</strong><br />
the finest places on the mountains for all<br />
kinds <strong>of</strong> ferns and lycopods. It possesses an<br />
equable climate-in winter it is not too cold,<br />
and in summer the mountain air, morning and<br />
evening, is fresh and cool. A number <strong>of</strong><br />
influential gentlemen have residences here,<br />
including the Hon. James Norton and the<br />
Hon. Mr. C. Moore.<br />
Faulconbridge Platform, 49 miles;<br />
1,463 feet above sea-level.-Still following<br />
the topmost ridge <strong>of</strong> the mountains to the<br />
westward for 2 miles further by a sinuous<br />
course, the traveller reaches the Faulconbridge<br />
Platform, named from the adjoining<br />
property <strong>of</strong> Sir Henry Parkes, about 500<br />
acres in extent, and chiefly valuable perhaps<br />
for the salubrity <strong>of</strong> its situation and the<br />
singular beauty <strong>of</strong> the scenery it commands<br />
to the southward, -overlooking a rugged and<br />
broken country forming part <strong>of</strong> the watershed<br />
<strong>of</strong> the N epean. In the neighbourhood<br />
<strong>of</strong> Sir Henry Parkes's residence-a pretty<br />
mountain chalet, the Terrncecl Gardens, the<br />
Rocklily Glen and the Rocklily Cave, are<br />
very characteristic and charming localities<br />
much admired by visitors. As you pass<br />
Faulconbridge to the westward, the top <strong>of</strong><br />
Mount Hay becomes vis-ible about 9 miles to<br />
the north-westward. The scenery on either<br />
side <strong>of</strong> the road now becomes intensely<br />
interesting, presenting surprises which seem<br />
like gorgeous glimpses <strong>of</strong> fairy-land, so suddenly<br />
are they manifested and withdrawn.*<br />
* A recently published work <strong>of</strong> standard merit,<br />
compiled under authority by Mr. James Tingle,<br />
speaking <strong>of</strong> the Hartley District, says : '' We have<br />
said that this is a remarkable district, and justly<br />
so, because for magnificence <strong>of</strong> scenery, wealth <strong>of</strong><br />
mineral resources, and monuments <strong>of</strong> engineering<br />
skill, it is probably without a rival in the southern<br />
hemisphere. The Blue Mountains, with their innumerable<br />
hills and ravi1tes, present extensive<br />
panoramas <strong>of</strong> the grandest description. As the<br />
Numantia Platform, 52 miles; 1,672<br />
feet above sea-level.-When the tmin has<br />
passed the platform at Faulconbridge its<br />
course for a few hundred yards is due west;<br />
it runs south-south-west for about a mile,<br />
passes the residence <strong>of</strong> Mr. A. H. M'Culloch,<br />
M.P., on the left, and so trending somewhat<br />
westerly reaches the platform at N umantiathe<br />
classical name selected for the mountain<br />
residence <strong>of</strong> His Honor Sir James Martin,<br />
the Chief Justice. N umantia lies 3 miles<br />
from Faulconbridge,-to the south-west <strong>of</strong> it.<br />
There are some good views from N umantia<br />
to the southward.<br />
Linden Platform, 52 miles.- This place,<br />
recently established, is more useful at present<br />
to the Department than to the public. The<br />
scenery in the vicinity is singularly wild and<br />
romantic, and the bush abounds in a great<br />
wealth <strong>of</strong> ferns and wild flowers. Here the<br />
engines take water, the supply being drawn<br />
from a dam romantically lying in the basin<br />
<strong>of</strong> the hills about ! a mile from the station.<br />
Woodford (late Buss's) Platform, 55<br />
miles ; 2,191 feet above sea-level.-As<br />
the traveller proceeds on his journey westward<br />
past N umantia, he can catch a lovely but<br />
fleeting glimpse <strong>of</strong> home view scenery to the<br />
northward; another view-nearly in the same<br />
direction-<strong>of</strong> the Pass <strong>of</strong> Broken Back in the<br />
far <strong>of</strong>f Sugar-loaf Range, in the county <strong>of</strong><br />
N orthumherland; two views over the rugged<br />
ravines to the southward and south-eastward;<br />
and distant but approaching views <strong>of</strong> Mount<br />
Hay and Mount King George. The line<br />
after leaving the Numantia Platform takes a<br />
sharp turn to the southward, and continues<br />
on the ridge in that direction for nearly 2<br />
miles, in the middle <strong>of</strong> which stands a handsome<br />
stone gate-house where the Old Road<br />
(which has been running parallel with the<br />
Railroad nearly all the way from "Blaxland")<br />
traveller in the <strong>Railway</strong> is sped along the summit<br />
<strong>of</strong> the range, and catches glimpses <strong>of</strong> the thousand<br />
valleys stretching like ocean waves to the horizon,<br />
on both sides <strong>of</strong> the line (which for a considerable<br />
distance is laid on a narrow causeway that looks as<br />
if built up for thousands <strong>of</strong> feet out <strong>of</strong> awful depths<br />
<strong>of</strong> precipice and ravine), he finds it difficult to<br />
imagine a nobler representation <strong>of</strong> the grandeur and<br />
sublimity <strong>of</strong> nature. "-Scind.s' Official Post Office<br />
Country Directory and Gazetteer <strong>of</strong> New South<br />
· JV ales for 1878, 1879, page 267.
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 39<br />
again crosses the line. The gate is now but<br />
seldom opened, for the Qld Road is practically<br />
superseded by the <strong>Railway</strong>. This gate-house<br />
is 53 miles from Sydney. 1 mile south-west<br />
<strong>of</strong> this gate-house and 2 miles in the same<br />
direction from Numantia stands the Woodford<br />
Platform, about 520 feet higher than Numantia<br />
and Alphington, &c. Mr. Alfred<br />
Fairfax's late residence and large gardens<br />
(Woodford), from which the Woodford Platform<br />
takes its name, has been opened for the<br />
accommodation <strong>of</strong> visitors. Before you get<br />
to Woodford there are several :fine glimpses<br />
<strong>of</strong> scenery, and especially the grand unfolding<br />
<strong>of</strong> a long pale blue broken line <strong>of</strong> mountains<br />
in the extreme distance to the north-eastward<br />
beyond the Brisbane Water district, and in<br />
the direction <strong>of</strong> Maitland. Woodford is only<br />
3 miles from N umantia ; and, although<br />
perhaps somewhat exposed in wintry weather,<br />
it is noted for its fine bracing atmosphere,<br />
which resembles that <strong>of</strong> the more elevated<br />
portions <strong>of</strong> the West <strong>of</strong> England.<br />
Lawson Station (" Blue Mountains"),<br />
58 miles; 2,399 feet above sea-level.-At<br />
about 1 mile due west from the Woodford<br />
platform the line takes a turn and runs for<br />
a mile to the west-north-west; then due west<br />
for another mile, and then west-south-west for<br />
a fourth mile; to the "Old Blue Mountain Inn<br />
Station," now proposed to be distinguished<br />
by the name <strong>of</strong> "Lawson"-the vague,<br />
equivocal designation <strong>of</strong> "Blue Mountains,"<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten misleading unobservant travellers.<br />
Lawson has a telegraph station and post<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice, &c. Close to the station are establishments<br />
where accommodation can be secured.<br />
Lawson is noted for having near it several<br />
views <strong>of</strong> great beauty and deep interest on<br />
either side <strong>of</strong> the line, and at comparatively<br />
short distances in places easy <strong>of</strong> access. This<br />
place is much resorted to by invalids, who<br />
can here without fatigue enjoy the mountain<br />
scenery, and the pure, invigorating air.<br />
There is a fine prospect to the north from<br />
near the station. It takes the railway<br />
traveller about three hours and a half to<br />
arrive here by train from Sydney, and about<br />
two hours to come up to this spot from Penrith.<br />
Here the tourist can conveniently visit the<br />
Adelina Falls (two <strong>of</strong> 40 feet descent, one <strong>of</strong><br />
60, and one <strong>of</strong> 70 feet), or the Junction Falls<br />
on the south side <strong>of</strong> the line; with Dante's<br />
· Glen and three other waterfalls on the<br />
northern side-one <strong>of</strong> 40 feet, one <strong>of</strong> 90, and<br />
one (the most remarkable <strong>of</strong> them all) with a<br />
descent <strong>of</strong> 120 feet. Perhaps a short description<br />
<strong>of</strong> these two adjacent localities may not<br />
be unacceptable to the reader.<br />
The Adelina Falls.-The Adelina Falls<br />
are, all four <strong>of</strong> them, grouped together,<br />
at a distance <strong>of</strong> a mile or so to the southeastward<br />
<strong>of</strong> the station; and from the platform<br />
to the first and most important <strong>of</strong><br />
these beautiful cascades ( see View) there<br />
is an excellently formed road, by which the<br />
visitor soon arrives at the edge <strong>of</strong> a line<br />
<strong>of</strong> rock, whence he can readily descend into<br />
the immediate vicinity <strong>of</strong> the waterfall by a<br />
convenient flight <strong>of</strong> rudely constructed steps.<br />
A smooth path leads him from the foot <strong>of</strong><br />
the steps straight down to a craig on the<br />
eastern side <strong>of</strong> a small ravine, over the<br />
rocky (northern) wall <strong>of</strong> which the clear cold<br />
waters <strong>of</strong> a mountain stream leap headlong<br />
into an abyss. These Falls-the Adelina<br />
Falls-are not less than 70 feet in their<br />
unbroken descent, and are justly admired,<br />
tumbling over a mass <strong>of</strong> dark shining rock<br />
into the scene <strong>of</strong> sylvan beauty represented<br />
by our artist. This water-formed chasm ( or<br />
" gh ·wy 11 " as the Welsh would call it) is<br />
fringed with masses <strong>of</strong> green brushwood and<br />
long reedy grass, well shaded everywhere by<br />
the white-trunked eucalyptus, the narrow<br />
semi-circular valley itself, into which the<br />
streamlet dashes, being partially filled up<br />
with tall straggling gum-trees. Near the<br />
base <strong>of</strong> the grand cascade there is a fine display<br />
<strong>of</strong> ferns and such like plants. Ferns<br />
and creepers overhang this beautiful waterfall<br />
like waving tresses, and bedeck the<br />
sombre wall <strong>of</strong> cliff over which the sparkling<br />
rivulet descends. Near to this Fall are<br />
several elegant coachwood trees and other<br />
arborescents such as are usually seen in<br />
these moist and secluded localities. The air<br />
is deliciously fresh and cool, even during the<br />
hottest summer day. Seated in the shadefrom<br />
his dry and elevated look-out on the<br />
solid rock-the visitor may pass many an hour<br />
<strong>of</strong> delicious repose listening to the murmuring<br />
plash <strong>of</strong> the water, the faint whisper <strong>of</strong> the<br />
wind, and the joyous "sweet jargoning" <strong>of</strong>
40 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
the birds. To reach the three other cascades<br />
on the south <strong>of</strong> the road, the visitor must<br />
cross the head <strong>of</strong> the Adelina Falls-an old<br />
track to the westward, here running southeasterly,<br />
being available for that purpose.<br />
The streamlet is one <strong>of</strong> the many minor<br />
tributaries <strong>of</strong> the Cox, a river which falls<br />
into the Warmgamba, destined, when joined to<br />
the Cowpasture River, to become the N epean.<br />
Dante's Glen and Waterfalls.-Leaving<br />
the Blue Mountain or Lawson Station, and<br />
proceeding for a few yards to the northnorth-west,<br />
by a well-formed road, the visitor<br />
passes two stone tanks or reservoirs for the<br />
supply <strong>of</strong> the engines with water ; and then<br />
following a recently cleared downward path,<br />
trending northerly, he arrives (after walking<br />
for about half-a-mile) at the edge <strong>of</strong> a sloping<br />
r eedy marsh draining into the watershed <strong>of</strong><br />
the Grose. A little beyond the eastern<br />
extremity <strong>of</strong> this out-<strong>of</strong>-the-way and desolate<br />
spot, a rough but well-defined path for<br />
awhile leads him on, until at length by an<br />
abrupt descent he reaches the precipitous<br />
side <strong>of</strong> a wide and dark tree-shaded valley,<br />
suddenly revealed in all its immensity, and<br />
resounding with the continuous rush <strong>of</strong> concealed<br />
waters in its mysterious depths. The<br />
lonely devious path and the steep declivities<br />
<strong>of</strong> this. cavernous glen are difficult enough<br />
and wild enough to remind the student <strong>of</strong> the<br />
"selva oscura" mentioned in the opening <strong>of</strong><br />
the grand and gloomy poem <strong>of</strong> the " immortal<br />
Florentine," there being a weird<br />
character about the whole place calculated to<br />
inspire the soul with admiration and with<br />
awe. Hence, doubtless, the expressive name<br />
<strong>of</strong> Dante's Glen by which this valley has<br />
lately been distinguished. In Dante's Glen<br />
there are three waterfalls which can be<br />
reached by an adventurous and active tourist.<br />
The :first-about t hree-quarters <strong>of</strong> a mile<br />
from the station-is seen to the right, soon<br />
after you enter the glen. The easterly stream<br />
here falls over a ledge <strong>of</strong> rock to a depth <strong>of</strong><br />
40 feet, and becomes invisible during the<br />
r st <strong>of</strong> its course down the valley. Beneath<br />
thi first, a few chains further on, there is a<br />
second waterfall <strong>of</strong> 90 feet. A small steep<br />
track lead down towards both <strong>of</strong> these from<br />
th topmo t rid e <strong>of</strong> the v~lley. The lo_wer<br />
rtion <strong>of</strong> th path thus wmding down mto<br />
this sequegtered locality is thickly wooded,<br />
and ends in two deep precipitous gorges,<br />
uniting at an inaccessible rocky northern<br />
outlet. To the right is the lower (or second)<br />
cascade already mentioned-the largest waterfall<br />
<strong>of</strong> all three being away in the gully up<br />
to the left. The western extremity <strong>of</strong> this<br />
intersecting ravine is a huge black cliff,<br />
hemmed in on all sides by tall trees, and<br />
overhung with ferns, creepers, and parasitical<br />
plants. Over this dark precipice a fine<br />
stream falls 120 feet in sheer descent, its<br />
broken feathery sprays being caught and<br />
collected at the foot <strong>of</strong> the cliff in a basin<br />
like a Naiad's bath hollowed out <strong>of</strong> a flat<br />
rock. The course <strong>of</strong> this stream, descending<br />
therefrom to its junction with the other, is,<br />
like the rest <strong>of</strong> the glen, densely timbered<br />
with coachwood, tree ferns, a kind <strong>of</strong> alder,<br />
and sassafras. There is a _rocky shelf beside<br />
the pellucid pool at the bottom <strong>of</strong> the cataract,<br />
curiously over-arched by the cliff, and <strong>of</strong><br />
course a favourite haunt for excursionists.<br />
You can pass right under this Fall if you<br />
choose to be so foolhardy, but you had much<br />
better not do so, for the feat is not unattended<br />
with danger. Looked up to from the end <strong>of</strong><br />
the over-arched ledge above referred to, the<br />
effect <strong>of</strong> this waterfall is exceeding solemn and<br />
grand. It has been justly said by an excellent<br />
authority (Burton): "There is nothing<br />
more beautiful to be seen in the whole <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Blue Mountains than this wonderful spot."<br />
In addition to the views fully described,<br />
there are many other scenes <strong>of</strong> great beauty<br />
around Lawson-one <strong>of</strong> these, the Junction<br />
Falls, is reached by following a track leading<br />
from the Adelina Falls ; after a short walk<br />
the visitor reaches a lonely glen which is<br />
almost hidden with magnificent ferns. Here<br />
. three creeks empty their waters into the<br />
glen forming three separate and pretty waterfalls.<br />
Another waterfall and romantic glen<br />
in which some splendid fern-trees are growing,<br />
are reached by following the main road westward<br />
for about 2 miles, and then turning <strong>of</strong>f<br />
at a track leading to the left. The track is<br />
not, at present however clearly marked, :1-nd<br />
the services <strong>of</strong> a guide will almost be reqmred<br />
to reach the spot.<br />
Wentworth Falls, or Weatherboard<br />
Platform, 62 miles; 2,856 feet above
Wentvvorth Falls.
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 41<br />
sea-level-On leaving Lawson Station near<br />
the "Old Blue Mountain Inn," the line runs<br />
for 2 miles along the ridge to the westsouth-west,<br />
and then (by a sharp turn) trends<br />
wes~-north-west for 2 miles further, when it<br />
reaches the locality generally known as the<br />
"Weatherboard," where there is a platform<br />
and a pointsman's house. The railway excursionist<br />
is now on the confines <strong>of</strong> that<br />
considerable extent <strong>of</strong> level ground upon the<br />
mountains, about 24 miles in length, and<br />
formerly known by the appellation <strong>of</strong> "The<br />
King's Table-land," a name given to it (as<br />
early chroniclers inform us) by Governor<br />
Macquarie himself, during an adventurous<br />
vice-regal tour in this direction, when deeply<br />
impressed with the "majestic grandeur <strong>of</strong> the<br />
situation, combined with the various objects<br />
to be seen from the spot." On the southwest<br />
side <strong>of</strong> this table-land the mountain<br />
terminates, as an old colonial annalist informs<br />
us, "in abrupt precipices <strong>of</strong> immense depth;<br />
at the bottom <strong>of</strong> which is seen a glen as<br />
romantically beautiful as can well be imagined,<br />
bounded on the further side by mountains <strong>of</strong><br />
great magnitude, terminating as abruptly as<br />
the others, and the whole thickly covered with<br />
timber." The glen thus graphically described<br />
-and named Prince Regent's Glen by Governor<br />
Macquarie-appears to be identical with<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the north-westerly prolongations or<br />
branches <strong>of</strong> that great Cunimbla Valley,<br />
which is now known to be more or less connected<br />
(at its north-westerly extreme) with<br />
the beautiful Valley <strong>of</strong> Hartley. The name<br />
<strong>of</strong> "Prince Regent's Glen" should therefore<br />
now, perhaps be judiciously restricted to a<br />
north-westerly and less extensive ravine,<br />
reaching from its intersection with the great<br />
Cunimbla Valley back to an abrupt rocky<br />
end in the neighbourhood <strong>of</strong> the far-famed<br />
Waterfall <strong>of</strong> the Weatherboard, the true<br />
historical appellation <strong>of</strong> which, by the way, is<br />
Campbell's Cataract--a name bestowed upon<br />
it by Governor Macquarie in honor <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Colonial Secretary <strong>of</strong> the period. The upper<br />
or north-westerly extreme <strong>of</strong> Prince Regent's<br />
Glen is, it may be remarked, <strong>of</strong> a somewhat<br />
circular form, presenting a grand coup cl' ceil<br />
<strong>of</strong> mountains rising beyond mountains, with<br />
stupendous masses <strong>of</strong> cliffs in the foreground<br />
and in mid distance, reaching almost round<br />
the vast and deep well-wooded hollow to the<br />
west and to the southward; except, indeed,<br />
where the Prince Regent's Glen opens out<br />
on to the great sunken valley above-mentioned,<br />
and so displays a glorious, many-tinted<br />
and distant view <strong>of</strong> vast shadowy walls <strong>of</strong><br />
precipice on the other side <strong>of</strong> that valley,<br />
many long miles away. 'fhis circular termination<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Prince Regent's Glen, at its<br />
northernmost end, was named by Governor<br />
Macquarie the "Pitt Amphitheatre" in honor<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Right Honorable William Pitt, and is<br />
what is usually referred to by tourists under<br />
the very vague and most inexpressive name<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ·weatherboard. From any good point<br />
on King's Table-land-such, for example,<br />
as the verandah <strong>of</strong> Mr. Charles Wilson's<br />
accommodation house, about 2,900 feet above<br />
the sea-level-the light-house at the Sydney<br />
South Head, on a clear night, looking due<br />
east, is distinctly visible at a distance <strong>of</strong> 62<br />
miles. The same well-known beacon can,<br />
it is said, at times, be seen from Blackheath,<br />
nearly 500 feet higher, and 11 miles further<br />
away from the coast.<br />
General Description <strong>of</strong> the Weatherboard.-Mr.<br />
C. A. Wilson's accommodation<br />
house lies about 50 yards from the pointsman's<br />
house, on the southern side <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Railway</strong>, not far from the semaphore, and an<br />
old powder magazine in the open-both conspicuous<br />
objects. Near the semaphore is a<br />
tombstone-" Sacred to the memory <strong>of</strong> James<br />
Ferguson, who was killed by lightning on<br />
21st December, 1859; aged 22 years and 10<br />
months." Formerly, as it would appear,<br />
there was a burial-ground now traversed<br />
by the <strong>Railway</strong> in this seclnded spot,<br />
<strong>of</strong> which this ndw seems to be the sole<br />
remaining tomb. A few cottages are to<br />
be found in the vicinity. The air is fresh<br />
and wholesome, as might be expected at such<br />
an elevation ; but in stormy weather it is<br />
not a locality where there is much that can<br />
be pleasant for the tourist out <strong>of</strong> doors.<br />
The old Western Road, between the Weatherboard<br />
and Blackheath, is now almost wholly<br />
disused, except when fat cattle are occasionally<br />
driven over it by night. In many<br />
places this picturesque old road is utterly<br />
dilapidated, torn and worn away by the<br />
wind and rain. At the back <strong>of</strong> Wilson's<br />
there is a ruined bridge, through the broken
42 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
arch <strong>of</strong> which a fine stream (Jamison' s Creek)<br />
flows away southerly for lk or 2 miles to<br />
the neighbouring gorge. The road to the<br />
Weatherboard Falls from the so-called<br />
"station " leads by this broken bridge,<br />
through the bush south-westerly to the edge<br />
<strong>of</strong> that celebrated chasm and most enchanting<br />
view. There is als9 a pleasant walk on<br />
the north side <strong>of</strong> the line, to the north-west<br />
<strong>of</strong> the semaphore. North <strong>of</strong> the Railroad,<br />
but somewhat more to the eastward, lies the<br />
winding track to " The Water Nymph's<br />
Dell," which is difficult to find unless under<br />
the guidance <strong>of</strong> some resident.<br />
Visit to the Weatherboard Gorge and<br />
Falls.-" Starting from the accommodation<br />
house with a guide, I crossed," says a recent<br />
visitor, " the ruined bridge at the back <strong>of</strong><br />
Wilson's, struck into the bush to the southwest,<br />
and-after walking along a pretty fair<br />
road for about I} mile-I reached at the end<br />
<strong>of</strong> a rather devious path the framework <strong>of</strong> a<br />
hut erected by the Government for tourists<br />
and others, a~d wantonly and basely destroyed<br />
(like that at Govett's Leap) by<br />
thoughtless or selfish persons. (A commodious<br />
hut has since been built here.) From the<br />
elevated point thus arrived at on the topmost<br />
edge <strong>of</strong> this titanic gorge, there is a steep<br />
and almost precipitous descent to the southward,<br />
partly shaded with stunted trees, and<br />
terminating-after passing a flight <strong>of</strong> steps,<br />
cut boldly out <strong>of</strong> the solid rock-in a broad,<br />
natural platform <strong>of</strong> waterworn stone, immediately<br />
opposite to "The Campbell Cataract,"<br />
or .Falls, and overlooking that vast amphitheatre<br />
named after the renowned statesman<br />
William Pitt, which here terminates the<br />
Prince Regent's Glen. The platform seems<br />
actually to overhang the Great Falls, which<br />
are, however, at some distance from it<br />
to the left (the eastward), across a huge<br />
semi-circular abyss, hollowed out <strong>of</strong> red and<br />
grey rocks, and overshadowed everywhere with<br />
trees and ferns. In front <strong>of</strong> the spectator is<br />
the chasm's edge, stretching along like the<br />
elevated margin <strong>of</strong> a bay; and beyond this<br />
rough but well-defined line is that fairy-land<br />
<strong>of</strong> mountain, cliff, and forest which no pencil<br />
can perfectly depict or pen adequately describe.<br />
To the left is a small tract <strong>of</strong> barren<br />
and mountainous country, <strong>of</strong> an immense<br />
altitude, coming up from the southward, and<br />
forming the easterly frame <strong>of</strong> this vast and<br />
marvellous picture. Its westerly frame presents<br />
rude cliffs and a wooden talus towards<br />
the entrance to the Pitt Amphitheatre ; and<br />
on its upper surface are seen mountain streams<br />
and rivulets hastening to unite themselves to<br />
the main stream coming from the opposite<br />
direction (J amison's Creek) and then to dash<br />
themselves into a cylindrical abyss, whose<br />
falling waters resound in your ears like an<br />
everlasting sigh. Approaching cautiously to<br />
the edge <strong>of</strong> the platform, or (what is perhaps<br />
more safe) lying down to look over, you<br />
see the stream wildly precipitated over<br />
broad stratified rings <strong>of</strong> grey, red, and black<br />
rock, into the bottom <strong>of</strong> this grand mountain<br />
glen, a distance <strong>of</strong> (apparently) not<br />
less than 1,000 feet in sheer descent. The<br />
waters <strong>of</strong> the cataract drain away into the<br />
far <strong>of</strong>f depths <strong>of</strong> the densely wooded valley<br />
beneath, the lowermost line <strong>of</strong> which seems<br />
ultimately to indicate a south-easterly direction.<br />
When I first approached thi8 spot at<br />
about 9 a.m., the falls were threefold in<br />
their development, and stood in a deep and<br />
misty shadow. Near the bottom <strong>of</strong> the first<br />
fall, breaking into feathery spray, long before<br />
it reaches a slightly projecting mass <strong>of</strong><br />
broken fragments <strong>of</strong> stone, about half-way<br />
down, there is to the south a long thin line<br />
<strong>of</strong> forest trees, the foliage <strong>of</strong> which looks<br />
dim and s<strong>of</strong>t when seen from the great<br />
height <strong>of</strong> the platform on the rock. These<br />
trees, half-way down into the abyss, spread<br />
all along the surface <strong>of</strong> the small projecting<br />
ledge in the precipitous wall on the eastern<br />
side <strong>of</strong> the gorge ; their irregular masses <strong>of</strong><br />
greenery contributing greatly to the charm<br />
<strong>of</strong> the scene. Below these broken masses<br />
<strong>of</strong> stone and trees and brushwood a second<br />
dreadful precipice descends, and a second<br />
fall may, by a daring spectator be seen, far<br />
below the dizzy altitude-so far that no<br />
murmur from this and the next succeeding<br />
fall ascends to break the silence. It is only<br />
the everlasting sweep <strong>of</strong> the upper portion<br />
<strong>of</strong> the cataract which makes itself distinctly<br />
audible. Below, as I have intimated, the<br />
stream follows unseen its appointed course<br />
through the sylvan depths <strong>of</strong> that enchanted<br />
valley. Anything more sublime and aweinspiring<br />
cannot possibly be imagined. On
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 43<br />
the western side <strong>of</strong> the gorge <strong>of</strong> the Weatherboard,<br />
at the distance <strong>of</strong> about f a mile,<br />
there is a second wall <strong>of</strong> parti-coloured rock,<br />
with a huge talus <strong>of</strong> rocks and trees, and a<br />
towering royal crest <strong>of</strong> trees and undergrowth.<br />
Further away to the south-westward<br />
(on the north-west side <strong>of</strong> the amphitheatre)<br />
comes an abrupt break; and then<br />
more cliffs and declivities, and another wide<br />
valley <strong>of</strong> low-lying forest and hill scenery is<br />
displayed, enclosed by another and yet more<br />
extensive range <strong>of</strong> rocky wa11 and talus, or<br />
slopes formed <strong>of</strong> detritus or decayed rock.<br />
This range <strong>of</strong> brightly-tinted cliffs (in which<br />
deep red colour predominates) trends easterly<br />
£or some miles, and at last-having almost<br />
traversed the entire picture-ends with an<br />
abrupt descent into the Prince Regent's<br />
Glen. Beyond the eastern extremity <strong>of</strong> the<br />
distinct line thus furnished in mid-distance<br />
is another stretch <strong>of</strong> woodland, dim and<br />
cerulean in its many shadowy gaps and hollows.<br />
Beyond that line again comes another<br />
more shadowy tract in bright cobalt; and<br />
beyond that yet again appear the far <strong>of</strong>f<br />
outlines <strong>of</strong> a mountainous country, wrapped in<br />
a mantle <strong>of</strong> denser blue, its summits crowned<br />
with cliffs in exquisitely blended tints <strong>of</strong><br />
pink and yellow. Over all that again at<br />
intervals (and especially from the ruined hut)<br />
can be seen an ethereal light blue outline <strong>of</strong><br />
l<strong>of</strong>ty hills in the extreme distance. On the<br />
rocky platform which overlooks the Falls,<br />
the aspiring mind <strong>of</strong> Young .Australia has<br />
prompted the inscription <strong>of</strong> names and surnames<br />
<strong>of</strong> parties not yet otherwise distinguished.<br />
These names have been boldly<br />
carved on the ledge <strong>of</strong> stone, in the vain hope<br />
<strong>of</strong> thereby securing some adventitious immortality.<br />
The whole <strong>of</strong> the rocky ledge which<br />
overlooks the gorge is public property, but<br />
some <strong>of</strong> the land in the vicinity has already<br />
been alienated. ' The Weeping Rock,' for<br />
instance, is on private property, belonging to<br />
Mr. D. Fletcher, <strong>of</strong> Sydney. This 'weeping<br />
rock,' an object <strong>of</strong> great interest to those<br />
who visit the Weatherboard, stands above<br />
the 'Great Fall,' on the east side <strong>of</strong> the<br />
gorge, and well deserves the name which<br />
has been given to it. The continuous flow<br />
<strong>of</strong> water which trickles over this curious<br />
half-isolated mass <strong>of</strong> stone is occasioned by<br />
a rivulet breaking away from the main<br />
stream, known as Jarnison's Greek-the same<br />
which feeds the Great Fall, or Campbell's<br />
Cataract."<br />
Another description <strong>of</strong> the Campbell<br />
Cataract and the Gorge at the Weatherboard.-The<br />
following description <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Campbell Cataract and the adjacent gorge is<br />
taken from Mr. Ed win Burton's <strong>Guide</strong>, an<br />
admirably compiled and useful little work.<br />
Mr. Burton's <strong>Guide</strong>, page 118, says:-" The<br />
Campbell Cataract is, however, the great<br />
attraction to tourists. The water leaps over<br />
the tremendous precipice into the glen below.<br />
The scene has thus been depicted by the<br />
Rev. Dr. Lang:-' .At the point where the<br />
rivulet from the Weatherboard hut discharges<br />
itself there is a break or bay in the line <strong>of</strong><br />
cliffs on that side, as if a vast portion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
wall <strong>of</strong> rock had been quarried out £or the<br />
purpose, the two points appearing from behind<br />
like two l<strong>of</strong>ty headlands jutting out into<br />
the valley, and bearing a remarkable resemblance<br />
to the Heads <strong>of</strong> Port Jackson. The<br />
rivulet, which in its course <strong>of</strong> 2 miles and<br />
a half has been swelled by one or two<br />
smaller streams issuing from lateral valleys<br />
to the size <strong>of</strong> a common mill-stream, precipitates<br />
itself all at once over the rocks at the<br />
head <strong>of</strong> the bay and is lost in the abyss, the<br />
fall being at least 1, OOO feet. On gaining<br />
the edge <strong>of</strong> the precipice the waters <strong>of</strong> the<br />
rivulet seem to shrink instinctively from the<br />
frightful leap to which they have been conducted<br />
in their course down the valley, each<br />
individual drop appearing endowed with<br />
separate volition, and seeming determined to<br />
shift for itself, and the whole mass <strong>of</strong> fluid<br />
resolving itself into what appears like innumerable<br />
particles <strong>of</strong> frozen snow. Many<br />
hundred feet below, the tops <strong>of</strong> apparently<br />
l<strong>of</strong>ty trees are seen at the bottom <strong>of</strong> Prince<br />
Regent's Glen, and so completely do the<br />
cyclopean walls <strong>of</strong> rock which form the<br />
glen defy aJl direct communication between<br />
the heights and the hollow, that the shortest<br />
practicable route from the place where the<br />
rivulet leaps over the precipice to the bottom<br />
<strong>of</strong> the cliffs, over which it falls, is 16 miles.<br />
Governor Macquarie named the waterfall the<br />
Campbell Cataract, in honor <strong>of</strong> the Colonial<br />
Secretary <strong>of</strong> that period. At the time we<br />
visited the Fall there was a strong wind
44 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
blowing up the glen. The wind caught the<br />
falling waters before they had time to reach<br />
the bottom, and scattered them into mist,<br />
carrying them to great distances. The sun's<br />
rays falling on the particles produced the<br />
phenomena <strong>of</strong> innumeraole rainbows, the<br />
effect <strong>of</strong> the whole scene being indescribably<br />
beautiful.' Connected with this wonderful<br />
place there is a legend about the inhumanity<br />
<strong>of</strong> the keeper <strong>of</strong> a 'shanty' near by the<br />
precipice, in the ea.rly days <strong>of</strong> the Colony.<br />
Before railways were thought <strong>of</strong>, lucky diggers<br />
had to use the road, and this 'shanty,'<br />
where grog was sold on the sly, was <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
resorted to by those who wanted shelter and<br />
rest. As the story goes-and there are<br />
more improbable stories-the keeper used to<br />
lure them to the precipice, rob them, and<br />
then pitch them over into the valley beneath.<br />
The Falls are about l!- mile from the railway<br />
platform. There is a small accommodation<br />
house near the platform, where a guide may<br />
be procured. Persons may leave Sydney by<br />
the morning train, visit the Falls, and return<br />
to Sydney the same night."<br />
The Water Nymph's Dell.-Directly<br />
opposite to the Weatherboard Station ( or<br />
rather Platform) there is a very pretty waterfall,<br />
in a curiously secluded narrow glen ;<br />
both waterfall and glen being ·well worthy <strong>of</strong><br />
a visit. You cross the Railroad a little to<br />
the west <strong>of</strong> the pointsman's house, and turn<br />
do,Yn at once into an adjacent scantily<br />
wooded valley, wherein flowering shrubs and<br />
rushes appear as the principal features. A<br />
path leads down a continuation <strong>of</strong> this valley<br />
to the eastward, on somewhat firmer ground,<br />
for about a mile and a half; and then, by an<br />
abrupt turn to the right, a winding and precipitous<br />
track takes you down into the upper<br />
encl <strong>of</strong> a deep and rocky gully. The hottom<br />
and sides <strong>of</strong> this gully are shaded with tall<br />
trees <strong>of</strong> coach wood and sassafras, everywhere<br />
interlaced with vines ; and in the lower<br />
portions <strong>of</strong> the gully there is an abundance<br />
<strong>of</strong> ferns, mosses, and lycopods <strong>of</strong> all descriptions-some<br />
<strong>of</strong> them very choice and rare.<br />
Tree ferns-the Alsophila aiistralis and the<br />
Dicksonia antarctica) display their graceful<br />
fronds on all sides <strong>of</strong> you, in this cool umbrageous<br />
place ; and when you stand upon<br />
the lower ledge <strong>of</strong> rock, at the ba e <strong>of</strong> the<br />
tortuous path, the pleasant rippling sound <strong>of</strong><br />
falling water becomes distinctly audible.<br />
Proceeding further still, the noise <strong>of</strong> a waterfall<br />
is soon heard, and over the grey cliff<br />
opposite, across the gorge ( draped in the<br />
glittering, dark foliage <strong>of</strong> trees and arborescent<br />
plants) a charming cascade comes<br />
down, whispering and mur.muring into the<br />
glen. Following the rough and difficult path<br />
to the westward, up this lovely but lonely<br />
place, the end <strong>of</strong> the gorge becomes suddenly<br />
revealed. At the termination <strong>of</strong> the path,<br />
and below the cliff, lies a pool <strong>of</strong> limpid<br />
water, wherein Egeria herself might not have<br />
disdained to bathe. This pool is supplied by<br />
the waterfall, descending at the back <strong>of</strong> it,<br />
from the precipice, in several broken rills, for<br />
more than 50 feet. The dark sides <strong>of</strong> the<br />
rock and the edges <strong>of</strong> the basin in this Water<br />
N yrnph's Dell are fringed and decked with<br />
mosses and creeping plants <strong>of</strong> a wonderful<br />
beauty and variety. The path down the hillside<br />
appears to be by no means an easy one,<br />
but the youthful, smiling guide speaks admiringly<br />
<strong>of</strong> the indomitable energy and<br />
daring <strong>of</strong> the lady visitors to thir:i beautiful<br />
and romantic spot. Another less hazardous<br />
ramble may be found by leaving the semaphore<br />
near the line, and following up a<br />
bubbling stream, by the edge <strong>of</strong> a marsh, to<br />
the north-westward. The visitor may do this<br />
for some considerable distance and find his<br />
gravelly path bordered by a pr<strong>of</strong>usion <strong>of</strong><br />
mountain flowers, ferns, lycopodiums, and<br />
those other plants which, in Australia, appear<br />
to take the place <strong>of</strong> the heather in the<br />
uplands <strong>of</strong> Scotland and other parts <strong>of</strong><br />
Europe.<br />
Katoomba Platform, 66 miles ; 3,349<br />
feet above sea-level.-Leaving the platform<br />
at the W eatherboar
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 45<br />
splendid climate, Katoomba is fast becoming a<br />
township <strong>of</strong> some importance. Two large<br />
hotels have been established, one <strong>of</strong> which,<br />
the "Great Western" (Carrington) is equal to<br />
the "Imperial" at Mount Victoria, for the<br />
amount <strong>of</strong> accommodation it gives, and for the<br />
excellence <strong>of</strong> its appointments. Biles' hotel,<br />
opposite the station, is a well kept and comfortable<br />
hostelry. A Public and Private<br />
School has also been erected. Probably there<br />
is no place on the mountains where so many<br />
beautiful views can be so easily and conveniently<br />
seen within a short distance <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> as at Katoomba. The main attraction<br />
is the Katoomba Falls and the views <strong>of</strong><br />
Cunimbla Valley. Passing along a well laid<br />
out road, starting from the southern side <strong>of</strong><br />
the <strong>Railway</strong> Station, the visitor, after a walk<br />
<strong>of</strong> about a mile, reaches the edge <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Cunim bla Valley. Here, standing on a<br />
rocky promontory, a glorious view <strong>of</strong> the<br />
extensive valley is presented, the mounds in<br />
the valley thickly covered with timber, rising<br />
like waves in a deep sea; afar <strong>of</strong>f on the<br />
opposite side groups <strong>of</strong> rocks are seen, their<br />
heads mantled with a wreath <strong>of</strong> white fleecy<br />
clouds, resembling some old baronial castle;<br />
and in the centre <strong>of</strong> the valley the course <strong>of</strong><br />
a creek is clearly marked, its waters as they<br />
flow onward being hidden by a thick growth<br />
<strong>of</strong> brushwood. Just before reaching the<br />
rocky promontory overlooking the valley the<br />
road crosses the creek which makes the<br />
waterfall, and a considerable body <strong>of</strong> water is<br />
generally flowing. At Katoomba, unlike the<br />
'\Veatherboard and Govett's Leap, the visitor<br />
can reach the bottom <strong>of</strong> the valley, and the<br />
waterfall is seen best from a point in the<br />
track as it leads to the bottom <strong>of</strong> the valley.<br />
The track, overhung with ferns and :flowering<br />
shrubs, is clearly marked, and for some<br />
distance comparatively easy <strong>of</strong> descent. Somo<br />
little distance down a view is obtained <strong>of</strong> a<br />
section <strong>of</strong> the valley, and through an opening<br />
in a thick growth <strong>of</strong> ferns and umbrageous<br />
trees, the water resembling a beautiful bridal<br />
veil, is seen tumbling down upon the dark<br />
depths <strong>of</strong> rocks below. The pathway then<br />
passes between two massive rocks, the main<br />
walls <strong>of</strong> the valley on one side and a detached<br />
mass standing alone on the other. This rock<br />
towering up for a couple <strong>of</strong> hundred feet like<br />
some turreted castle, receives, on account <strong>of</strong><br />
its isolated position, the name <strong>of</strong> the Orphan<br />
Rock. If the visitor is not afraid <strong>of</strong> a little<br />
exertion, he can follow the track: until it<br />
brings him to the bottom <strong>of</strong> the valley, where<br />
he will reach the coal drive opened up by Mr.<br />
North. A tramway runs from Katoomba to<br />
the mine ; it is on a gradient <strong>of</strong> 1 in 2 from<br />
the rocks fringing the valley to the minea<br />
stationary engine at the top drawing up<br />
by a wire rope the trucks <strong>of</strong> coal. In addi-<br />
tion to the coal there is a good seam <strong>of</strong> shale<br />
in the valley, which promises to create a large<br />
trade. A great deal <strong>of</strong> the prosperity at<br />
Katoomba is due to the enterprise <strong>of</strong> Mr.<br />
North in developing the coal and shale mines ;<br />
and since the tramway has been made, a sawmill<br />
has been started in the valley, a large<br />
quantity <strong>of</strong> timber <strong>of</strong> excellent quality being<br />
obtainable. In the vicinity <strong>of</strong> the saw-mill<br />
and mine numerous splendid specimens <strong>of</strong><br />
fern trees are to be found. There is much<br />
else to occupy the notice <strong>of</strong> the visitor at<br />
Katoomba. At the proper season mountain<br />
mosses, ferns, and :flowers are numerous and<br />
beautiful. Although the main Katoomba<br />
Falls, on account <strong>of</strong> their volume, attract the<br />
greater notice, there are others smaller but<br />
not the less beautiful ; particularly the Leura<br />
and Lurline Falls.<br />
A writer describing Katoomba., says:<br />
Katoomba is situated on t.he Blue Mountains,<br />
66 miles from Sydney by rail, and<br />
3,349 feet above sea-level. Leaving the busy<br />
Redfern <strong>Railway</strong> Terminus, in about thirty<br />
minutes we pass the pretty town <strong>of</strong> Parramatta<br />
; then on either side may be seen some<br />
fine orchards and orange groves, lightly timbered<br />
grass lands, hills, and small streams.<br />
We arrive at the quaint old town <strong>of</strong> Penrith<br />
; here the train stops about ten minutes<br />
for refreshments. Proceeding on our journey<br />
we pass the N epean River, with its romantic<br />
and picturesque scenery, and its massively<br />
constructed iron tubular bridge. We soon<br />
commence the ascent <strong>of</strong> the Zigzag, and as<br />
we near the top a grand. panorama spreads<br />
out before us. The scene is indescribably<br />
magnificent ; we begin to breathe the deliciously<br />
cool mountain air, being now about<br />
700 feet above sea-level. The language <strong>of</strong><br />
the poet can alone describe the splendour <strong>of</strong><br />
the scenery which meets our view as we are
46 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
whirled along over gullies and hills ; the<br />
hurrygraphs <strong>of</strong> scenery that come and go<br />
like the sliding scales <strong>of</strong> a magic lantern, the<br />
windows framing picture after picture, till at<br />
length we get a fine view on our left <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Kanimbla Valley; then there is a grinding<br />
<strong>of</strong> the brake, and the station-master is seen<br />
bustling about the platform, informing us<br />
that we are at Katoomba. The hotels must,<br />
<strong>of</strong> necessity, be a subject <strong>of</strong> interest to those<br />
who visit the Mountains. Of these there are<br />
three, all good and respectable, besides boarding-houses<br />
for all classes-from those who<br />
take their champagne, to those who hire<br />
humble lodgings and take their own provisions.<br />
The "Great Western Hotel" which is situated<br />
on a high eminence just above and to the<br />
left <strong>of</strong> the station, commands the only real<br />
mountain view to be obtained without travelling<br />
some distance from the line. The design<br />
<strong>of</strong> the hotel is on the modern American style,<br />
with a larg~ flat-top ro<strong>of</strong>, from which can be<br />
seen the city -<strong>of</strong> Sydney and its noted harbour.<br />
It has accommodation for seventy to eighty<br />
persons, contains nearly sixty rooms, consisting<br />
<strong>of</strong> a large dining-room, general ladies'<br />
drawing-room, and gentlemen's smoking and<br />
reading-room. These are arranged, with<br />
their necessary retiring rooms, at opposite<br />
ends <strong>of</strong> the building, while the intermediate<br />
space is divided into suites <strong>of</strong> private sitting<br />
and bedrooms. A remarkable feature in the<br />
planning <strong>of</strong> the structure is its large, wide,<br />
and l<strong>of</strong>ty corridors, which, in wet weather,<br />
serves admirably as promenades, as also a<br />
large verandah in front <strong>of</strong> the building, which<br />
faces the east. All the principal rooms have,<br />
therefore, in summer and winter, the benefit<br />
<strong>of</strong> the cheerful early morning sun. Gas is<br />
laid on, electric bells, and hot and cold water<br />
baths are fitted to all the rooms. An excellent<br />
provision for water-supply is now being<br />
made by means <strong>of</strong> a Blake's hydraulic ram,<br />
which is situated in a large spring <strong>of</strong> water in<br />
the valley, about 1,000 yards distant.<br />
Biles' Hotel, which is situated immediately<br />
to the right <strong>of</strong> the station, is a large,<br />
well-conducted hotel. Mr. Biles, who it will<br />
be found is a most agreeable Boniface, has a<br />
reput,ation for the abundance and excellence<br />
<strong>of</strong> his dinners.<br />
"Katoomba Hotel," about i <strong>of</strong> a mile on<br />
the Bathurst road, is a wayside inn, where<br />
every attention is shown to visitors by Mrs.<br />
Curnow.<br />
The principal sights <strong>of</strong> Katoomba, all <strong>of</strong><br />
which are within easy walking distance <strong>of</strong><br />
the hotels, are the following !-<br />
Katoomba Falls.-The I~oomba Falls<br />
are as pretty, and as well worth a visit, as<br />
any on the mountains. Although an excellent<br />
view is obtained from the rocks overlooking<br />
the valley, the Falls are seen best by<br />
taking the track on the right, and from an<br />
opening near the Orphan Rock a splendid<br />
view <strong>of</strong> the Falls and the valley below is<br />
obtained. The Orphan Rock, standing solitary<br />
like a sentinel on duty, is a prominent<br />
object from the rocks near the head <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Falls.<br />
The Witch's Leap.-By following the<br />
winding path at the foot <strong>of</strong> the Falls you<br />
will pass Maud's Wonder, from which can be<br />
had a splendid view <strong>of</strong> the Falls and the<br />
Glen, and pursuing the path by the first<br />
opening on the left, the excursionist will<br />
come upon M. Q. Any sound produced here<br />
will be reverberated for several seconds.<br />
Another very good view <strong>of</strong> the Falls can be<br />
obtained from this point. Passing the Orphan<br />
Rock, and descending the Gully, the<br />
scene chanaes at every step. On the right<br />
may be see~ the coal-tram ~merg~ng out <strong>of</strong> a<br />
cleft in the rock. Descendmg a little further<br />
(carefully) the valley can be reached, and following<br />
the track to the left past the Sawmills<br />
you will arrive at the foot <strong>of</strong> the Falls.<br />
The tree ferns hereabouts are very fine.<br />
The Bluff at Engine Point.-To the left<br />
appears the Three Sisters, in front is the<br />
Corowal or Solitary Mount, and on the extreme<br />
left <strong>of</strong> the Mount and near the top is<br />
the Crouching Lion, inclining to the right is<br />
the Ruined Castle, Megalong, Mount Clear,<br />
and in the distance some 50 miles away are<br />
the Picton and N attai Ranges.<br />
Grace's Hill.-From this point you can<br />
see Jamison Valley to the south-east. ·when<br />
stationed on this ~ill, the Three Sisters, a<br />
portion <strong>of</strong> the Kanimbla Valley, Blackheath,<br />
Mount Victoria, and the Boar's Head, &c.,<br />
can be seen.
Katoomba Falls.
(/l<br />
~<br />
0<br />
(/l
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 47<br />
The Gap and the Neck <strong>of</strong> Land.-The<br />
sight <strong>of</strong> this rugged and grand crater-like<br />
abyss should not be missed by the tourist.<br />
Birdie's Dell or Silver Spray Waterfall<br />
is an enchanting spot, from which can<br />
be caught a glimpse <strong>of</strong> the meeting <strong>of</strong> the<br />
waters at Nelly's Glen.<br />
Nelly's Glen is a remarkable gorge extending<br />
from the top <strong>of</strong> the mountain to the<br />
Kanimbla Valley, sloping rapidly for about<br />
500 feet, and varying in width from 20 to 60<br />
feet. At the top a meeting <strong>of</strong> two watercourses<br />
forms the cascade. A thrice repeated<br />
echo is heard here.<br />
Leura and Lurline Falls.-A little above<br />
these will be seen some beautiful cascades,<br />
and .the meeting <strong>of</strong> two water-courses which<br />
flow over beds <strong>of</strong> moss and rock to the verge<br />
<strong>of</strong> a precipice, down which it suddenly leaps<br />
in an almost unbroken sheet a descent <strong>of</strong> 800<br />
feet, creating a deep hollow sound, while the<br />
trembling waters shoot up their silvery spray<br />
sparkling and flashing and foaming with tbe<br />
dancing sunbeams bright and perfect rainbows.<br />
The Fossil Rock is another marvel which<br />
should not be forgotten.<br />
The Coal-mine is well worth a visit. The<br />
tramway is one mile and a quarter in lenO'th<br />
from the <strong>Railway</strong> Siding and the trucks ~re<br />
drawn by a steel cable, measurinO' 2J_ miles<br />
0 2<br />
and weighing 5! tons.<br />
_The . Jenolan (formerly called the<br />
Fish River) Caves.-Many inquiries have<br />
been made as to the new route from Katoomba<br />
to the remarkable caves which lie<br />
a_t a dista~ce <strong>of</strong> about 18 miles in a straight<br />
line, and m a S.W. by W. direction. As<br />
the journey via Tarana and Oberon is<br />
about 90 miles in length from Katoomba,<br />
a shorter cut has long been a desideratum<br />
ancl as a step in this direction the hotel~<br />
keepers <strong>of</strong> Mount Victoria some years ago<br />
cons~ru?ted a ~uggy track from that place<br />
to withm 2 miles <strong>of</strong> the caves. The distance<br />
between the two places is 44 miles,<br />
and from one cause or other this track has<br />
not been made much use <strong>of</strong> by the public.<br />
Of course, from Katoomba this route, though<br />
shorter than that by Tarana, would also be<br />
very roundabout, and several attempts were<br />
accordingly made to find a track direct ;<br />
among others by Mr. Peter Fitzpatrick, <strong>of</strong><br />
Burragorang, who was connected with some<br />
mining operations near Katoomba, and who<br />
brought the matter under the notice <strong>of</strong> the<br />
late Premier (Sir A. Stuart) on one <strong>of</strong> his<br />
visits to that favourite resort. The result<br />
was that first Mr. Rossbach, road surveyor,<br />
and, later on, Mr. W. M. Cooper, Surveyor<br />
<strong>of</strong> Public Parks, were sent to inspect and<br />
report on the feasibiljty <strong>of</strong> the route and to<br />
find the best line for a horse track. Mr.<br />
Rossbach's inspection was only a preliminary<br />
one, extending over a single day; Mr.<br />
Cooper, who followed, spent ten days on the<br />
work, and marked out a line from end to<br />
end. The number <strong>of</strong> detours necessary to<br />
earry a track with reasonable gradients<br />
over so mountainous a country caused the<br />
distance traversed to be 25 miles from the<br />
starting point, or 26} from the "Great<br />
Western Hotel," Katoomba. Special care<br />
was taken to mark the line, so that it could<br />
not easily be mistaken, by blazing trees in<br />
a distinctive manner, and by affixiDg to the<br />
trees at various intervals, corresponding<br />
to the nature <strong>of</strong> the ground, squares, or<br />
rather diamonds, <strong>of</strong> white calico, with black<br />
figures conspicuously printed thereon, running<br />
consecutively from 1 to 105. The<br />
work wa8 completed in April, 1884, and<br />
the following is a description <strong>of</strong> the route<br />
which has been adopted between the two<br />
places, and <strong>of</strong> the country passed through<br />
on the way. A number <strong>of</strong> persons have<br />
already made the journey on foot; any one<br />
accustomed to walking can do it comfortably<br />
in twelve hours ; and as the track becon1es<br />
opened up, an increasing num~er <strong>of</strong> s_eekers<br />
after health and pleasuro combmed will probably<br />
follow their example. Whe~ t~e<br />
proposed horse-track is completed it will<br />
be a very enjoyable ride. <strong>of</strong> five. hours.<br />
There is a good deal <strong>of</strong> variety and mtcrest<br />
in the scene en route, and a short account<br />
<strong>of</strong> its principal features will doubtless prove<br />
acceptable to tourists, whether on foot or<br />
horseback.
48 THE RA.IL WA. Y GUIDE.<br />
Of the nature <strong>of</strong> the country passed<br />
through it may be generally remarked that<br />
it consists, first, <strong>of</strong> the great depression <strong>of</strong><br />
the Cox Valley, some 7 miles wide and 2,500<br />
feet deep, and then <strong>of</strong> three spurs <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Main Dividing Range <strong>of</strong> the Colony, the<br />
range itself being followed for about a<br />
mile, but not crossed, and attaining the<br />
summit level <strong>of</strong> 4,040 feet at 21 t miles from<br />
Katoomba.<br />
On leaving Katoomba, the Main Western<br />
Road is followed for lf mile until the<br />
E xplorer's Tree is reached. This is a<br />
venerable relic <strong>of</strong> the early history <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Colony, an old battered W and L cut in its<br />
trunk (the B which was originally also there<br />
having become obliterated by decay) telling<br />
the story <strong>of</strong> the first successful attempt made<br />
to surmount the hitherto impassable Blue<br />
Mountains and penetrate the unknown interior,<br />
by Wentworth, Lawson, and Blaxland.<br />
The tree is fenced round and buttressed<br />
with masonry, and bears the following inscription<br />
affixed thereto :-<br />
This wall and fence has (sic) been erected by the<br />
H on. J. S. F arnell, Esq., Minister for Lands, to<br />
preserve this tree marked by<br />
BLAXLAND,<br />
LAWSON,<br />
WENTWORTH,<br />
being the farthest distance reached in their first attempt<br />
to cross the :Blue Mountains in the month <strong>of</strong><br />
May,<br />
A.D. 1813.<br />
The expedition, which consisted <strong>of</strong> William<br />
Charles Wentworth, Gregory Blaxland, and<br />
Lieutenant William Lawson, started from<br />
South Creek, near Penrith, the residence <strong>of</strong><br />
Mr. Blaxland, on May 11, 1813, and reached<br />
its farthest point on June l. The following<br />
passa,ge from Oxley's Journal refers to the<br />
state <strong>of</strong> things at this time:-<br />
They now conceived that they had sufficiently accomplished<br />
the design <strong>of</strong> -their undertaking, having<br />
surmounted all the difficulties which had hitherto<br />
prevented the interior <strong>of</strong> the country from being explored.<br />
They had partly cleai:ed, or at least marked<br />
out, a road by which the passage <strong>of</strong> the mountain<br />
might be easily effected. Their provisions -were nearly<br />
expended, their clothes and shoes wer~ in _very bad<br />
condition, and the whole party were 111 with bowel<br />
complaints.<br />
The expedition completed its return to<br />
South Creek on June 6, having thus been<br />
out less than a month. In order to do justice<br />
to the courage, perseverance, and public<br />
spirit displayed on this expedition, it should<br />
be remarked that many previous attempts to<br />
penetrate the barrier <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountains<br />
had returned unsuccessful, the first <strong>of</strong> which<br />
was undertaken by George Bass in 1796.<br />
Bass reported, on his return, that it was<br />
" impossible to find a passage, even for a<br />
person . on foot." In consequence <strong>of</strong> the<br />
success <strong>of</strong> the former expedition, Governor<br />
Macquarie dispatched George William<br />
Evans, Deputy Surveyor <strong>of</strong> Lands, to extend<br />
the discoveries. He crossed the N epean on<br />
the 20th November, 1813, arrived at the termination<br />
<strong>of</strong> Messrs. Wentworth, Blaxland,<br />
and Lawson's journey on the 26th, and prosecuted<br />
his undertaking for about 100 miles<br />
further to the west to the Bathurst Plains.<br />
On December 18 he commenced his return,<br />
and on January 8, 1814, he arrived home<br />
again. The construction <strong>of</strong> a road across<br />
the mountains was immediately commenced,<br />
and carried on so vigorously that on January<br />
21, 1815, it was completed from Sydney to<br />
Bathurst.<br />
At this point the route to the caves commences,<br />
following at first a cart track, which ·<br />
turns <strong>of</strong>f to the left, and presently turning<br />
<strong>of</strong>f to the left again it arrives (2 miles from<br />
Katoomba) at the head <strong>of</strong> the Megalong<br />
Cleft. This is a na,rrow chasm in the great<br />
sandstone wall, which is so remarkable a<br />
feature in the Blue Mountain scenery. It<br />
is quite practicable for travellers on foot,<br />
though steep and slushy, from the con~tant<br />
trickling <strong>of</strong> water from its head and sides,<br />
and almost filled with magnificent tree and<br />
other ferns, which thrive luxuriantly in the<br />
constant shade and damp. Halfway down<br />
the steep incline the musical sound <strong>of</strong><br />
falling water is heard, and a cascade <strong>of</strong><br />
some 30 ft. in height is seen on the left.<br />
The cleft is about 3,280 ft. a born the sea at<br />
the top (Katoomba is 3,350) and 2,690 at<br />
the foot, thus making a descent <strong>of</strong> some<br />
600 ft. in 21 chains, or an average grade <strong>of</strong><br />
1 in 2t, which might be impr?ved by zi~zaging<br />
to 1 in 5 or 6. On emergmg from this<br />
gorge <strong>of</strong> gloom, pr<strong>of</strong>ound even at mid.-d:1y,<br />
and from many points further on, strikmg<br />
views are obtained <strong>of</strong> the long line <strong>of</strong> sandstone<br />
cliffs behind and on each side, the
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 49<br />
outlines and the great masses <strong>of</strong> light and<br />
shade bein~ very bold and varied, and the<br />
colouring <strong>of</strong> yellow, red, purple, and green<br />
superb. In many places the cliff overhangs,<br />
and one craggy mass to the west <strong>of</strong> the cleft<br />
bears a strong resemblance to a huge castle,<br />
with its great square towers, battlements,<br />
buttresses, and turrets, even the lines and<br />
joints <strong>of</strong> the masonry being distinctly visible;<br />
and another to the e:1st, on which has been<br />
conferred the name <strong>of</strong> the Boar's Head, is<br />
curiously like the head <strong>of</strong> an heraldic dragon,<br />
with pomted ears and open jaws. When<br />
flushed with the morning or evening glow,<br />
this mighty natural rampart is a sight worth<br />
going far to see.<br />
Proceeding onwards, a mile or so <strong>of</strong> rough<br />
ground is passed over, a slope strewn with<br />
angular rocks <strong>of</strong> different shapes and sizes,<br />
the accumulated wreck <strong>of</strong> ages from the cliff<br />
above, and covered with rather thick bush<br />
and scrub. After this the track pasrns<br />
through capital walking country, with sandy<br />
or gravelly soil, open bush, and no scrub.<br />
It is almost level for the next 3 or 4<br />
miles to Megalong Station, where some<br />
huts are seen on the right. After striking<br />
the S.E. corner <strong>of</strong> the paddock fence the<br />
track runs alongside the fence for about<br />
a mile, and at the S.W. corner (6-! miles<br />
from Katoomba, and 1,870 ft. above the<br />
sea) lea,es the course <strong>of</strong> Megalona Creek,<br />
which we have followed from the cleft thus<br />
far, and, bearing to the left, sidles the<br />
sloping ground on the left bank <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Cox, which foams a.long its rocky bed far<br />
b~low. An easy gradual descent for 3l<br />
miles takes us to the crossing, passing on<br />
the way, between marks 47 and 48 some<br />
picturesque granite rocks, which h~ve in<br />
past ages come tumbling down from the hill<br />
a?ove . ( called the Pinnacle) like colossal<br />
mne-prns ; one group, to which, from its<br />
shape, the name <strong>of</strong> the Toad has been given<br />
bei~g curiously perched one upon another:<br />
wh1ls~ across the river a ridge, with three<br />
promrne~t knobby peaks, attracts. attention<br />
on the right. At lOi miles we arrive at<br />
the crossing <strong>of</strong> the Cox, at its confluence<br />
with the Gibraltar Creek, the level <strong>of</strong> which<br />
is only 940 ft. above the sea, so that we<br />
have descended no less than 2,500 ft. since<br />
we left the Western Road. The river bed is<br />
well worth noticing : it is composed almost<br />
entirely <strong>of</strong> grey granite, mostly solid, but<br />
with loose rocks and boulders strewn about,<br />
some <strong>of</strong> them <strong>of</strong> huge dimensions, whilst the<br />
clear green water forms deep mirror-like<br />
pools among them, or tumbles over in<br />
brawling cascades. A mile or so further up<br />
the stream the valley is crossed by a dyke <strong>of</strong><br />
red granite, <strong>of</strong> a lovely rose colour, well<br />
worth turning aside to see, if time allows,<br />
or it could be taken on the return journey,<br />
and a cut across made afterwards to rejoin<br />
the track above. In its ordinary state the<br />
river can be crossed dryshod, and if the<br />
water should be unusually high a log whieh<br />
spans the stream a few chains below is<br />
available, but in the case <strong>of</strong> a flood it would<br />
not be wise for an inexperienced person to<br />
attempt the passage, whilst it is needless to<br />
say that during a high flood nothing can<br />
cross without swimming. Ralf a mile below<br />
the crossing is the comfortable hut <strong>of</strong> Peter<br />
Reilly, a free selector, who acts as stockrider<br />
on the adjacent hills, which are well<br />
grassed. H~ and his wife are the only residents<br />
on the route, for Megalong Station is<br />
only occasionally inhabited. Any travelJer<br />
who spends an evening with Peter will be<br />
entertained with a number <strong>of</strong> racy anecdotes<br />
concerning the wild bush life which he and<br />
so many others have led in the days gone by.<br />
The track follows up the Gibraltar Creek,<br />
and after crossing it three times, sidles up<br />
the steep slopes <strong>of</strong> its right bank. It is easy<br />
going, with the exception <strong>of</strong> two sharp<br />
pinches, which can be avoided by side cutting<br />
when the track is made, and brings us at 121<br />
miles to a low saddle (2,310 ft.) across the<br />
Mini Mini Range, an <strong>of</strong>f-shoot <strong>of</strong> the Main<br />
Divide, forming the northern boundary <strong>of</strong><br />
the Little River Valley, into which we<br />
descend by an easy spur, and at 13t miles<br />
we reach the bank <strong>of</strong> the river, 1,830 ft.<br />
above the sea. Here, bordered by low hills,<br />
is a small flat which will be a capital position<br />
for a half-way house hereafter. Follow_ing<br />
the left bank <strong>of</strong> the clear, pebbly, musical<br />
stream for half a mile, we cross it and commence<br />
the ascent <strong>of</strong> the Black Range, another<br />
<strong>of</strong>f-shoot <strong>of</strong> the Main Divide,runningeasterly<br />
from it, and separating the waters <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Little and J enolan Rivers. By a long easy<br />
spur we rise 1,400 ft. in the next mile and a<br />
D
•<br />
50 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
half, this gives an average grade <strong>of</strong> 1 in G,<br />
so that it is a task <strong>of</strong> no difficulty, except<br />
for one stiff pull, where the grade <strong>of</strong> the<br />
natural surface is about 1 in 4 for 60 cha.ins,<br />
and where the going condition <strong>of</strong> the traveller<br />
jg put to the pro<strong>of</strong>. On reaching the top<br />
(15t miles, height 3,200 ft.) the bron,d and<br />
apparently flat range extends westward for<br />
4 miles, then turns north for a mile so as to<br />
head a gully <strong>of</strong> great depth, in which rises<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the heads <strong>of</strong> the J enolan River; and,<br />
bending to the west again for half a mile,<br />
joins the Main Dividing Range <strong>of</strong> the Colony<br />
at 20{ miles, and at a height <strong>of</strong> 3,980 ft.<br />
above the sea. All along the Black Range<br />
an olcl cart track is followed, used in former<br />
years for the transport <strong>of</strong> bark to Bindo and<br />
Hartley. Although: as might be expected,<br />
pursuing a very serpentine course, it makes<br />
a cn,pital walking track, quite equal if not<br />
superior to the average Sydney foot pavement,<br />
and much better than the Sydney<br />
macadam. Here and there, where the track<br />
approaches the edge <strong>of</strong> the ridge, extensive<br />
views are obtained to the north, north-east,<br />
and south-deep gullies plunging steeply<br />
down into the great valleys, seas <strong>of</strong> dull<br />
green foliage out <strong>of</strong> which rise the bluegreen<br />
hills, with light yellow scars on their<br />
distant flanks, plainly denoting the ss.ndstone<br />
formation. About a mile further, at a point<br />
4,040 ft. high, the Main Range, which in this<br />
part <strong>of</strong> its course forms a remarkable ru<br />
curve, turns to west and north-west, and our<br />
trar.k leaves it and follows a spur trending<br />
almost due south right away to the caves.<br />
Along this spur runs the buggy track from<br />
Mount Victoria before alluded to, which,<br />
being cleared 10 or 12 ft. wide, and the ridge<br />
being nowhere steep, affords another 3t miles<br />
<strong>of</strong> excellent walking. Some extensive views<br />
to the eastward are to be had from several<br />
points on this part <strong>of</strong> the route, embracing<br />
to the left Katoomba, with the "Great<br />
\V estern Hotel" standing out against the<br />
sky ; to the front the Cox Range, Medlow<br />
Gap, and the striking two-peaked hill <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Brothers visible through it, reminding the<br />
travelled Australian <strong>of</strong> the Mythen on Lake<br />
Luzern ; and to the right the pr<strong>of</strong>ound recesses<br />
<strong>of</strong> the great J enolan Gorge, terminating<br />
in the mount <strong>of</strong> that ilk, one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
hills which has the honor <strong>of</strong> being named<br />
on Sir Thomas Mitchell's excellent feature<br />
map, still by far the best in existence <strong>of</strong><br />
the mountain district within 100 miles <strong>of</strong><br />
Sydney. On the west is the deep gorge <strong>of</strong><br />
the J enolan Creek, clothed in luxuriant<br />
timber, and on its further side the long wall<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Main Range stands up high against<br />
the sky. The descent <strong>of</strong> the spur we are<br />
on is so easy that at 25 miles we are still<br />
3,770 ft. above the sea; and then commences<br />
the descent to the caves, which are 1,200 ft.<br />
below. The spur plunges irregularly down<br />
to its termination at the caves, so that it is<br />
inexpedient to follow its ridge, and hence a<br />
narrow track has been trenched in its side,<br />
up or down which it is easy for man or horse<br />
to walk except after dark. This brings us<br />
to the Easter Arch <strong>of</strong> the caves-a natural<br />
bridge <strong>of</strong> limestone striding over the J enolan<br />
(M'Keown's, or M'Ewan's) Creek, from the<br />
spur we have come down, to another which is<br />
followed by the road from- Oberon. The<br />
top <strong>of</strong> this archway is strewn with slippery<br />
limestone rocks, and sundry holes descend<br />
to the regions below, so that wary walking is<br />
necessary in this neighbourhood. A track<br />
is, however, marked out which there is no<br />
difficulty in finding by daylight; and following<br />
this down we come at" last, after a journey<br />
<strong>of</strong> 26! miles, to our destination. In 11armony<br />
with the philosophy <strong>of</strong> the American, who<br />
said that there was no prospect, however fine,<br />
which was not improved with a good hotel in<br />
the foreground, the traveller who has come<br />
thus far will probably deem the sight <strong>of</strong> the<br />
accommodation house stretching across the<br />
narrow valley in front <strong>of</strong> him one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
pleasantest on the journey, the more so as<br />
for the last 13 miles since leaving Little<br />
River there is only one place where, excepting<br />
just after rain, water is conveniently to be<br />
had. He will be sure to receive every comfort<br />
and attention from Mr. and Mrs. Wilson,<br />
and under the experienced guidance <strong>of</strong> the<br />
former or his brother can proceed next<br />
morning to explore the caves, which may<br />
be aptly termed the Australian fairy land,<br />
and to the examination <strong>of</strong> whose charms<br />
several days should be devoted. For extent,<br />
variety, and wonderful beauty combined, this<br />
series <strong>of</strong> caves has few equals in the world.<br />
The present writer is aware <strong>of</strong> only one, the<br />
grotto <strong>of</strong> Adelsberg, in Carniola, 12 miles
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE.<br />
5l<br />
S.E. ·<strong>of</strong> Trieste, where the features are very<br />
similar, and command the unbounded admiration<br />
<strong>of</strong> travellers from every part <strong>of</strong><br />
Europe. Considering their attractions, it<br />
seems surprising that our caves have not<br />
been visited by every intelligent person in<br />
the colony who possesses the time and means<br />
necessary to enable him to make the expedition.<br />
No doubt a ]arge number have been<br />
deterred by the tedious and roundabout route<br />
at present employed, and the limited number<br />
which the house at the caves has hitherto been<br />
able to accommodate. Both these difficulties<br />
areincourse<strong>of</strong> being remedied to some extent:<br />
the one by the horse track which is in course <strong>of</strong><br />
construction along the line marked out by Mr.<br />
Cooper, and the other by an enlargement <strong>of</strong> Mr.<br />
Wilson's house, which has been recently completed,<br />
thoughit appears to be still inadequate<br />
to public requirements on special occasions.<br />
It 1s understood that arrangements are in<br />
contemplation to exhibit their marvellous<br />
beauties in the only way by which anything<br />
like justice can be done to them,-by lighting<br />
up the caves by electricity. This, if carried<br />
out, will add tenfold to their charms, and<br />
cannot fail to induce a much larger number<br />
<strong>of</strong> persons to visit what will then certainly<br />
be one <strong>of</strong> the sights <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />
In conclusion, we can confidently recommend<br />
any one <strong>of</strong> good health and vigorous<br />
constitution, who has an eye for natural<br />
beauty, and a love <strong>of</strong> fresh air and exercise,<br />
t? take. this trip. By starting early, say 6<br />
o cloc~ m the morning, it can be comfortably<br />
made m ~he day on foot, and it will probably<br />
~e <strong>of</strong> assrntance to him and give an additional<br />
u~terest to his journey if he will carry with<br />
him these notes and the accompanying map,<br />
showing the natural features <strong>of</strong> the country<br />
traversed by the track. It will be observed<br />
that it is intersected from north to south<br />
and south-east by the great deprernion <strong>of</strong><br />
the Cox Valley, from 2,000 to 3,000 feet<br />
deep, bounded on the east by the long wall<br />
<strong>of</strong> sandstone cliffs which is so well known<br />
to tourists in the district. The remarkable<br />
shape assumed by the island-like hills hereabouts<br />
cannot fail to strike the observerislands<br />
and promontories they once were,<br />
no doubt ; they once bathed their feet in<br />
the surge <strong>of</strong> the Pacific, and the oceans <strong>of</strong><br />
ancient days hollowed out their cavernous<br />
sides, at the time when the coral insects<br />
were slowly building up the limestone ridge<br />
which now contains the wonderful series <strong>of</strong><br />
caves that are the object <strong>of</strong> the journey.<br />
On the west <strong>of</strong> the valley, and ut an avern,gc<br />
distanc·e <strong>of</strong> about 8 miles, it is bounded by<br />
the line <strong>of</strong> the Main Dividing Range, a.bout<br />
4,000 feet in height; numerous lateral spurs<br />
rising from it divide the intervening space<br />
into tributary vulleys, and along one <strong>of</strong><br />
these spurs, called the Black R.ange (from a<br />
dark-coloured stone found upon it), the<br />
track is taken to its junction with the Main<br />
R.ange. As the range at this point bends<br />
almost back again on itself in a curious (\)<br />
curve, the track leaves it and takes udvantage<br />
<strong>of</strong> a spur running southwards right to<br />
the caves themselves.<br />
A sum <strong>of</strong> £2,500 has been voted by Parliament<br />
for the construction <strong>of</strong> a horse track<br />
by this route, and the work has been commenced<br />
at the Megalong Cleft, where a zig-zag<br />
is being cut, partly in solid rock, which when<br />
completed will be usable by horses without<br />
difficulty, the steepest gradient being I in 5!.<br />
Summary <strong>of</strong> Distances and Heights on Track from Katoomba to Jenolan Gares.<br />
Mark.<br />
Place.<br />
Distn,nce from<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> Station,<br />
Ifatoomba.<br />
Height<br />
above<br />
Sen,.<br />
0<br />
6<br />
16<br />
26<br />
42<br />
54<br />
62<br />
65<br />
71<br />
88<br />
99<br />
105<br />
~at~omb,a <strong>Railway</strong> Station • , •.... , , , , , • , , , . , .... , , , , , , , , . . ... , . , •.... , ....... .<br />
T xp <strong>of</strong>~ s Tree ......... ,., ....... ,,,,,, , ,, .. ,, ... ,,,,,,, ........ ,,,,,,,,, .... .<br />
F~~t 0 0£ J[o~af {:; 0 Jf !it · · · · · · · · · · · · · ' · · ' ' ' ' · · ' · · · · ' · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ' ' · · · · ·<br />
~t~f Q}l;:.:/!//!/!Iti!\//<br />
Main Dividing Range and bu"'gy track fro~1 ·M~uht vi~t~;·i~ · · · · · · · · • · · · · · · · · .....<br />
Top <strong>of</strong> descent ....... , , .... ~ ........... , , , ..... , ..... , . , : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :<br />
Caves ...... , , ......... . , ............. , , . , . , .. , .•.. , .. , . , .. , .. , , ...... , ...... .<br />
miles<br />
chains<br />
1 40<br />
1 73<br />
2 14<br />
3 22<br />
6 61<br />
10 17<br />
12 38<br />
13 62<br />
15 25<br />
21 29<br />
24 73<br />
26 37<br />
feet<br />
3,350<br />
3,440<br />
3,280<br />
2,690<br />
2,110<br />
1,870<br />
940<br />
2,310<br />
1,830<br />
3,200<br />
3,980<br />
3,770<br />
2,540
52 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
When you leave Katoomba there are peeps<br />
to the left as you proceed for about 2 miles<br />
further to the westward. Mountains then<br />
become visible to the right, and distant<br />
views are to be seen to the left, with l<strong>of</strong>ty red<br />
cliffs and dark blue and grey ranges. Then<br />
the road-at Pulpit Hill-takes a sharp turn<br />
to the northward, and runs through many<br />
deep cuttings on this prolongation <strong>of</strong> the<br />
table-land still lying between the two great<br />
watersheds; winding a good deal, and showing<br />
many glimpses <strong>of</strong> blue mountains and<br />
magnificent cliffs <strong>of</strong> red and grey sandstone.<br />
To the left, over the Cunimbla Valley, views<br />
are occasionally to be seen <strong>of</strong> wondrous<br />
beauty, and strangely diversified with rich<br />
varieties <strong>of</strong> colour and atmospheric effects.<br />
The line passes a pretty Gothic gatehouse<br />
(for the benefit <strong>of</strong> those drovers· who may<br />
still have occasion to use the Old Road) and<br />
soon after you catch sight <strong>of</strong> the far <strong>of</strong>f<br />
ranges <strong>of</strong> mountains, which lie in the direction<br />
<strong>of</strong> Windsor and Richmond, and even <strong>of</strong><br />
Brisbane Water-the " Gap" beyond Cooranbong,<br />
in the Broken Back or Sugar-loaf<br />
Range, being readily distinguishable on a<br />
clear day by those who know where to look<br />
for it. Then there are several hastily displayed<br />
and as rapidly withdrawn views <strong>of</strong><br />
the Cunimbb Valley away to the southwestward<br />
; and so, after a very pleasant<br />
t1'a:J°et <strong>of</strong> 7 miles, the traveller finds himself<br />
arrived at Blackheath, in the immediate<br />
vicinity <strong>of</strong> Govett's Leap and Gorge, overlooking<br />
to the north and north-eastward the<br />
Great Valley <strong>of</strong> the Grose.<br />
A visit to Katoomba, Blackheath, &c., has<br />
been pleasantly described by Locksley in the<br />
Melbourne" Argus." He says:-<br />
" You take the train at Redfern at 9 o'clock<br />
in the morning, and soon leave the city and<br />
its straggling suburbs behind. The day was<br />
bright and sunny when we began our trip,<br />
and the country was fresh and green from the<br />
recent rains. We pass groves <strong>of</strong> oranges,<br />
where the winter crop <strong>of</strong> the golden fruit<br />
shines out brightly from the rich green foliage.<br />
The considerable town <strong>of</strong> Parramatta is<br />
passed, and further on that <strong>of</strong> Penrith, on<br />
the banks <strong>of</strong> the fine N epean River, which<br />
flows just at the foot <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountains<br />
which here rise steep and high, a colossal<br />
barrier, right athwart our course. The line<br />
runs straight for them, and soon you feel by<br />
the heavy beats <strong>of</strong> the engine that you are<br />
labouring up a very stiff ascent. Some<br />
distance further on you come to the first<br />
Zigzag in ascending which you obtain in<br />
various aspects some very charming views <strong>of</strong><br />
the plains you have quitted, with the gleaming<br />
river winding through them. As you<br />
advance you steadily rise, and climb up to<br />
the higher part <strong>of</strong> the great mountain mass.<br />
The road presents constant changes to the<br />
eye; now you are looking over miles <strong>of</strong> blue<br />
hills and bluer valleys, now passing some<br />
wild fantastic glen, now looking onward to a<br />
strange notch in the ridge <strong>of</strong> a
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 53<br />
all covered with small ranges <strong>of</strong> hills like the<br />
blue, storm-tossed billows <strong>of</strong> a mighty sea.<br />
But in the midst <strong>of</strong> the valley right before<br />
us rises a massive hill, level with the ground<br />
we stand on, and showing on its red-tinted<br />
cliffs lines <strong>of</strong> stratification exactly corresponding<br />
to those visible in the bounding-walls <strong>of</strong><br />
the valley. This is the Solitary, but its<br />
savagely isolated, inaccessible look, and its<br />
general conformation, first a huge talus, then<br />
a wall <strong>of</strong> perpendicular cliff, and on the top<br />
a forest-covered table land, reminded us <strong>of</strong><br />
views we had seen <strong>of</strong> the great unscaleable<br />
mountain <strong>of</strong> Roraima, on the borders <strong>of</strong><br />
British Guiana. Below where we stood on a<br />
jutting point <strong>of</strong> cliff, a huge rock, fantastically<br />
shaped like a colossal natural cathedral, stood<br />
in the valley below. A walk <strong>of</strong> a mile or<br />
two took us to another point <strong>of</strong> view, just<br />
over the Katoomba Falls, where a slender<br />
stream leaps as though with fear and reluctance<br />
over the lip-edge <strong>of</strong> a great precipice,<br />
and descends in finely divided, wavering,<br />
lace-like tracery to the depths <strong>of</strong> the valley<br />
below, where it is lost among the trees <strong>of</strong><br />
which we just discern the tops. On the<br />
other side <strong>of</strong> us rises from the pr<strong>of</strong>ound gulf<br />
a tall, rudely pinnacle-shaped rock, all<br />
shaggy with trees which found root-hold in<br />
its rugged joints and recesses. But the sight<br />
<strong>of</strong> all was the long lines <strong>of</strong> battlemented<br />
cliffs, now redder than ever in the light <strong>of</strong><br />
the afternoon sun, while the depth <strong>of</strong> the<br />
valley was growing bluer, as though by<br />
reflection from the sky above. They seemed<br />
like mighty fortifications remaining from a<br />
time when giants warred with gods, with<br />
their curtains and ravelins, scarp and glacis,<br />
and jutting bastions, the dimensions <strong>of</strong> which<br />
were not in yards but in furlongs. And so<br />
these enormous ramparts stretched away for<br />
miles down the valley, where, at its lower<br />
end, the strange formation breaks up into<br />
formless disorder, and confused masses <strong>of</strong> blue<br />
hills bound the prospect.<br />
" The afternoon air at the altiLude <strong>of</strong> this<br />
magnificent sanitarium for the people <strong>of</strong><br />
Sydney is warm and genial, but as the sun<br />
approaches the horizon and the shadows<br />
grow long the temperature rapidly falls, and<br />
you are glad to get inside the house. But the<br />
air is al ways light, and fresh, and free, and<br />
as stimulating as champagne. From the<br />
verandah <strong>of</strong> the hotel the great electric light<br />
in the lighthouse at South Head, which<br />
iJlumines the whole harbour with its revolving<br />
blaze, can be seen scintillating and flashing,<br />
like a more brilliant Venus, on the horizon.<br />
" When we rise in the morning the easterly<br />
plains are covered in patches with a low mist,<br />
and seem as though covered with the sea.<br />
From the great valley close at hand rise the<br />
ragged edges <strong>of</strong> enormous boiling mists, which<br />
dissipate as soon as they ascend ab.ove the<br />
sides <strong>of</strong> the mighty cauldron. We take a<br />
walk <strong>of</strong> about a mile to the historic tree<br />
where the three gallant explorers, Wentworth,<br />
Blaxland, and Lawson, in their first attempt<br />
to penetrate the huge barrier <strong>of</strong> the Blue<br />
Mountains in 1813, carved their names before<br />
turning back, as they were forced to do, for<br />
fresh supplies. The tree is now protected by<br />
a wall, built by the Government, containing<br />
a large inscribed stone to commemorate the<br />
circumstance. It then became a question<br />
what was to be the programme for the day.<br />
We could not, indeed, reach the Lithgow<br />
Valley, or even the Second (which is the<br />
greater) Zigzag, and get back to Sydney, as<br />
we wished to do, that night. But we could<br />
go on as far as Govett's Leap and see the<br />
similar, and it is said even more awful, Valley<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Grose ; or we could go down to the<br />
next station and see the Wentworth Falls,<br />
at the famous Weatherboard. We were<br />
persuaded to choose the latter, in which<br />
I think we made a mistake, inasmuch as<br />
we thereby only saw one <strong>of</strong> the great<br />
gorges instead <strong>of</strong> the two. Not that the falls<br />
themselves were anything less than wonderful.<br />
Their depth must be enormous, including the<br />
space where the little stream rushes down for<br />
perhaps one or two hundred feet in white,<br />
foaming, plashing, rapids between the rocks,<br />
then falls for hundreds <strong>of</strong> feet through the<br />
air in slender threads, projected on the black<br />
background <strong>of</strong> the overhanging cliff, swaying<br />
in the breeze, and at times caught by the<br />
gusts and whirled wildly about 'like a .mad<br />
witch's hair,' and carried right back agam to<br />
the top <strong>of</strong> the fall, but all ultimate~y descending<br />
in spray and rain among the nch :7eg.etation<br />
at the foot, where it collects agam rnto<br />
a stream before taking its final plunge over<br />
another vast cyclopean wall into the valley<br />
beneath. From this point you undoubtedly see
54 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
the valley in its most impressive aspect. The<br />
precipices here are more imposing, the effect <strong>of</strong><br />
the mighty containing walls <strong>of</strong> the gorge<br />
is grander, and the great Solitary looks more<br />
like Roraima than ever. When you try to<br />
analyse the impression these sights stamp on<br />
the mind you find a difficulty in resolving it<br />
into its elements. It is too strange for sublimity,<br />
too overpowering for beauty, too stern<br />
for the fantastic, too severely wild for the<br />
grotesque. The impression, like the scene, is<br />
unique, and will not come in place under any<br />
<strong>of</strong> the familiar terms <strong>of</strong> description. The<br />
feeling which rises in the mind as you look<br />
at the scene and give yourself up fully to the<br />
sentiments awakened by the view <strong>of</strong> these<br />
awful precipices, these vast distances, these<br />
strangely contrasted colourings <strong>of</strong> bright red<br />
cliff ancl intensely blue valley, these enormous<br />
depths, that ·wildly confused floor covered<br />
with hills and forests many hundreds <strong>of</strong> feet<br />
below, is that you have been brought nearer<br />
than you ever stood before to the workings<br />
<strong>of</strong> some strange and mighty and unsuspected<br />
forces in the great arsenal <strong>of</strong> nature.<br />
'' And with this our views <strong>of</strong> the Blue<br />
Mountains had for the time to encl. They<br />
are well and happily named. All <strong>of</strong> our Australian<br />
mountains are blue in the distance,<br />
but none I think so blue as these. Their<br />
blueness, or 'blueth,' as some <strong>of</strong> our old<br />
writers used to write the word, seems a<br />
positive colouring and not a mere effect <strong>of</strong><br />
distance. It begins so very close to you, and<br />
deepens into such deep ultramarine farther<br />
away.<br />
One more word about the Blue Mountains.<br />
These are capable <strong>of</strong> being regarded in many<br />
different aspects. For a long time they were<br />
looked upon as an enormous tract <strong>of</strong> waste<br />
and useless land, lying like an enormous<br />
obstruction in the middle <strong>of</strong> the Colony. It<br />
is impossible to regard them in this way now.<br />
They have been proved to be amazingly<br />
rich in mineral treasures <strong>of</strong> the most varied<br />
characters. Few places rival the famous<br />
Lithgow Valley in the abundance and variety<br />
<strong>of</strong> their mineral wealth. And even here,<br />
in these nearer parts we have visited, the<br />
same character <strong>of</strong> mineru.l richness holds<br />
good. Just within sight <strong>of</strong> the picturesque<br />
Katoomba Falls the upper works <strong>of</strong> a<br />
coal-mine are perched on the very edge <strong>of</strong><br />
the vast prec1p1ce, and the coal is hauled<br />
from the pit by a wire rope right to the side<br />
<strong>of</strong> the railway."<br />
Mount King George, Mount Hay,<br />
Mount Toomah, and Mount Wilson.<br />
Lying north-eastward and north <strong>of</strong> the linP,<br />
between Katoomba and Blackhe~th-from 6<br />
to 13 miles away, and in the almost inaccessible<br />
country which constitutes the watersheds<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Grose and the Colo RiYers-are<br />
the four l<strong>of</strong>ty mountains <strong>of</strong> King George,<br />
Hay, Toomah, and Wilson. Mount King<br />
George, on the north-west side <strong>of</strong> the Grose<br />
-the Saddle-backed Hill, visible from<br />
Sydney-is 3,620 feet high; Mount Hay,<br />
on the south-east side <strong>of</strong> the same river,<br />
2,400 feet; and (more northerly between the<br />
Colo River and the Wollangambe Creek)<br />
Mount Wilson, 3,580 feet. Eastward <strong>of</strong> all<br />
these stands Mount Toomah, 3,240 feet high.<br />
These mountains, the most conspicuous points<br />
in the whole range, can be seen from Sydney,<br />
and are sometimes spoken <strong>of</strong> collectively, as<br />
" The Dromedary." Some <strong>of</strong> them can :first<br />
be seen from the verandah <strong>of</strong> the " Old Blue<br />
Mountain Inn," at the Lawson Station; but<br />
as the traveller proceeds to the westward,<br />
they become gradually more and more developed.<br />
"Mr. Charles Moore, <strong>of</strong> the Sydney<br />
Botanic Gardens," says Burton's <strong>Guide</strong> (page<br />
121), "has drawn attention to the fact that<br />
on these four hills the soil is <strong>of</strong> the richest<br />
kind, composed principally <strong>of</strong> disintegrated<br />
trap, and clad with noble timber trees <strong>of</strong> a<br />
brush character, the undergrowth being<br />
chiefly tree and other ferns. This is the<br />
more extraordinary from the fact that they<br />
are surrounded in all directions by others <strong>of</strong><br />
a sandstone formation, covered by a wretched<br />
and sterile scrub, and some eucalypti <strong>of</strong><br />
miserable growth." For long after the opening<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Main Western Road, Mount Hay<br />
was supposed . to be inaccessible, until -that<br />
indefatigable explorer, Count Strzelecki, successfully<br />
crossed the ravines and ascended<br />
the summit. "Some idea," says Sir Thomas<br />
Mitchell, in his work on Australia, "may be<br />
formed <strong>of</strong> the intricate character <strong>of</strong> the mountain<br />
ravines in the neighbourhood, from the<br />
difficulties experienced by the surveyors in<br />
endeavouring to obtain access to Mount Hay.<br />
Mr. Dixon, in an unsuccessful attempt, pene-
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 55<br />
trated to the Valley <strong>of</strong> the Grose, until then<br />
unvisited by man, and when he at length<br />
emerged from the ravines in which he had<br />
been bewildered four days, he thar.ked God<br />
(to use his own words, in an <strong>of</strong>ficial letter)<br />
that he had- found his way out <strong>of</strong> them."<br />
Even Count Strzelecki tells us, that in the<br />
course <strong>of</strong> his researches he was engulphed in<br />
the endless labyrinth <strong>of</strong> the almost subterraneous<br />
gullies <strong>of</strong> Mount Hay, and was<br />
unable to extricate himself and his men until<br />
after days <strong>of</strong> incessant fatigue, danger, and<br />
starvation. "But," he adds, "the ascent <strong>of</strong><br />
Mount Hay, whEn these difficulties are once<br />
surmounted; repays richly the exertions and<br />
fatigues which it entails. From its basaltic<br />
top the distant views to the south and<br />
weRt are somewhat intercepted by King's<br />
Table-land and other mountains somewhat<br />
higher than Mount Hay ; but to the east,<br />
the sea-coast, bordering the interesting basin<br />
through which flows the rivers N epean and<br />
Hawkesbury, the vicinity <strong>of</strong> Farramatta<br />
River, together with Sydney and Botany<br />
Bay, are distinctly visible. To the north also<br />
the prospect is extensive. In the intervening<br />
space may be noticed the vast gorge at the<br />
head <strong>of</strong> the Grose River. In a westerly direv<br />
tion, in the valley, lie the towns <strong>of</strong> Hartley<br />
and Bowenfels, ,vith Mount Lambie in the<br />
background." Mount King George, Mount<br />
Hay, and Mount Toornah, form conspicuous<br />
objects in the grand view from the edge <strong>of</strong><br />
the gorge near Blackheath, which generally<br />
goes by the odd but well-known name <strong>of</strong><br />
"Govett's Leap."<br />
l Blackheath Platform, 73 miles ; 3,494<br />
feet above sea-level.-The visitor may<br />
either leave the train here, where he will find<br />
good accommodation, or journey on to Mount<br />
Victoria, from which place Blackheath may<br />
be readily visited either on foot or on horseback,<br />
there being a good road near the line<br />
all the way, a distance <strong>of</strong> about 4 miles.<br />
On the eastern side <strong>of</strong> the hotel standing near<br />
the station a road branches <strong>of</strong>f to the northeastward,<br />
and leads the tourist, after a walk<br />
or ride <strong>of</strong> 2 miles, to the edge <strong>of</strong> the gorge.<br />
Mount King George is found rising to the left<br />
<strong>of</strong> the traveller when he reaches this interesting<br />
spot, and Mount Hay appears in front<br />
<strong>of</strong> him, at the distance <strong>of</strong> rather more than 5<br />
miles. "as the crow flies." Between the hut<br />
and lYiount Hay there is a general and almost<br />
continuous descent to the extreme depth <strong>of</strong><br />
1,850 feet, the vast densely wooded basin<br />
beneath converging towards the gorge <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Grose, presenting a coup d'(J!,il which can never<br />
be forgotten. On the right <strong>of</strong> the ruined<br />
hut, at the distance <strong>of</strong> about half a mile, is<br />
the "G.ovett's Leap," or Falls, an unbroken<br />
descent <strong>of</strong> about 500 feet. Far below, in the<br />
valley, is "The Trinity Cascade," and to the<br />
westward (nearly on a line with Govett's<br />
Leap) is another waterfall, not so easy to see,<br />
known as "The Left-hand Fall," for want<br />
<strong>of</strong> some more fitting designation. There is<br />
also yet another cascade formed by one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
minor tributaries <strong>of</strong> the Grose, away to the<br />
eastward, at the distance <strong>of</strong> 2 or 3 miles<br />
from the hut. Another track-ending on the<br />
west side <strong>of</strong> the accommodation house-leads<br />
to " Ferry's Look-clown" into the Grose<br />
Valley, near Hat Hill-some miles further to<br />
the north <strong>of</strong> Govett's Leap. From "Ferry's<br />
Look-down" the track is continued past<br />
"Docker's Ladder," down to a place called<br />
"The Gap," and so on to "Junction Camp,"<br />
in "the Gorge <strong>of</strong> the Grose," properly so<br />
called, 2,150 feet below the Blackheath<br />
platform ; but no ordinary visitor should<br />
on any account attempt to visit these lastnamed<br />
spots without a thoroughly competent<br />
guide.<br />
Govett's Leap: Waterfalls and Gorge.<br />
-From a bold and rugged mass <strong>of</strong> rock in a<br />
J;ay or bend at the southern extremity <strong>of</strong><br />
the valley or chasm, and near the ruined<br />
hut at the end <strong>of</strong> the road, the visitor may<br />
perhaps obtain the best general view <strong>of</strong> this<br />
wondrous spot. To the right, at the distance<br />
<strong>of</strong> about half a mile, the Govett's Leap, or<br />
Fall, pours itself, headlong, over a perpendicular<br />
wall <strong>of</strong> dark tinted rock, 520 feet in<br />
sheer descent, on to a mass <strong>of</strong> black fragments<br />
<strong>of</strong> stone which has in the course <strong>of</strong> ages<br />
accumulated at the base <strong>of</strong> the cataract.<br />
This descending mass <strong>of</strong> water-white and<br />
misty as the driven snow-sways, as the<br />
wind blows, to and fro, like the veil <strong>of</strong> a<br />
bride ; the vast height <strong>of</strong> the waterfall, the<br />
strong contrast <strong>of</strong> colour, and the undulating<br />
motion so produced, imparting a very singular<br />
and most charming effect. When the sun
56 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
attains to a certain altitude, a rainbow plays<br />
for hours around the cloudy folds <strong>of</strong> this<br />
Fairy Veil. From the neighbourhood <strong>of</strong> the<br />
hut the other cascades are not visible ; but on<br />
turning a few yards to the westward the deep<br />
whisper <strong>of</strong> the Left-hand Fall may be distinctly<br />
heard. The whole <strong>of</strong> this rock-enclosed<br />
valley before the spectator is for the<br />
most part hemmed in with titanic walls <strong>of</strong> red<br />
and grey rocks from 400 to 800 feet in height,<br />
and from the irregularly defined base <strong>of</strong> these<br />
outermost and uppermost walls <strong>of</strong> the valley<br />
there is everywhere a steep rocky incline, or<br />
talus, covered with thick woods down to the<br />
lowest depths, 1,200 feet below the level <strong>of</strong><br />
the rock on which the traveller stands. Here<br />
and there in this broad and verdant expanse<br />
<strong>of</strong> tree-tops, rising and falling according to<br />
the varied surface, may be seen a few grey<br />
patches <strong>of</strong> half denuded rock; but for the<br />
most part all these lowest slopes (on either<br />
side <strong>of</strong> the devious but invisible central<br />
stream) are densely shaded with primeval<br />
forest trees, the tops <strong>of</strong> which, from the alt.itude<br />
occupied by the spectator, appear<br />
strangely s<strong>of</strong>t and dim in their outlines.<br />
Beyond the " Leap" -apparently a Cumbrian<br />
provincialism for wate1fall, named after W.<br />
R. Govett, a Government surveyor, who first<br />
explored these parts-and round the first<br />
point to the eastward, there is another deep<br />
" bay" <strong>of</strong> precipitous rock ; and from the<br />
furthest limit <strong>of</strong> this bay there is a winding<br />
channel leading down to the centre <strong>of</strong> the<br />
whole tableau. From the easternmost end <strong>of</strong><br />
the Govett's Leap Gorge the rocky walls trend<br />
north-westerly, until, ending sharply as before,<br />
the semicircular barren top <strong>of</strong> Mount Hay<br />
becomes visible, with long lines <strong>of</strong> blue hills<br />
in the extreme distance. The Govett's Leap<br />
Gorge is shut in on the western side <strong>of</strong> its<br />
northern limit by a boldly projecting termination<br />
<strong>of</strong> cliff and talus; and thence inside <strong>of</strong><br />
that outer boundary a grand sweep <strong>of</strong> rocks,<br />
mountains, and declivitous slopes comes back<br />
to the left <strong>of</strong> the spectator. To the west <strong>of</strong><br />
the hut, as you go towards the Left-hand<br />
Falls, there is a most extraordinary echo, by<br />
which short sentences are distinctly repeated<br />
nearly half a minute after they have been<br />
uttered. In the slopes many hundred feet<br />
below, in the vicinity <strong>of</strong> the Left-hand Fall,<br />
there are large and lovely groves <strong>of</strong> tree fern<br />
and such like products, the rocks behind<br />
them being beautifully decked with trailing<br />
creepers and arborescent plants. Mount<br />
King George (here assuming the outline <strong>of</strong> a<br />
couchant lion) overlooks the western side <strong>of</strong><br />
the Govett's Leap cha~m-a southern <strong>of</strong>fshoot<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Valley <strong>of</strong> the Grose, the course <strong>of</strong><br />
which, by the way, is here from north-west<br />
to south-east. The glorious character <strong>of</strong> the<br />
entire scene, in all its vastness and sublimity<br />
-cliff, mountain, forest, and shadowy distant<br />
hills-impresses the beholder with admiration<br />
and with awe, the never ceasing sigh <strong>of</strong> unseen<br />
and remote waters naturally conducing<br />
greatly to the general effect.<br />
Another description <strong>of</strong> Govett's Leap.<br />
-The following description <strong>of</strong> the Govett's<br />
Leap Gorge and Falls is from the accomplished<br />
pen <strong>of</strong> Mr. E. Du Faur, F.R.G.S.: "Leaving<br />
the Blackheath Platform (7 3 miles from<br />
Sydney) the tourist follows a road trending<br />
east-north-east, through an uninteresting<br />
scrubby forest, for about 2 miles (having<br />
gradually descended about 320 feet), when<br />
he arrives at the edge <strong>of</strong> a gorge hemmed in<br />
by perpendicular cliffs <strong>of</strong> sandstone, lying in<br />
horizontal strata, and varying generally from<br />
400 to 800 feet in depth. From the foot <strong>of</strong><br />
these cliffs a steep talus descends to the<br />
centre <strong>of</strong> the gorge, at a depth <strong>of</strong> 1,850 feet<br />
from th.e edge <strong>of</strong> the precipice. The width<br />
<strong>of</strong> the gorge varies from three-quarters <strong>of</strong> a<br />
mile to a mile and a-half, and its length, in a<br />
straight line, to its confluence with that <strong>of</strong><br />
the Grose River, is 3-l miles. At a distance<br />
<strong>of</strong> 520 yards from the end <strong>of</strong> the road a small<br />
watercourse abruptly terminates in the Falls<br />
known as Govett's Leap, the perpen
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 57<br />
limited, being confined to the northern slopes<br />
<strong>of</strong> the main ridges along which the <strong>Railway</strong><br />
passes; but being fed from swamps or<br />
'sponges,' they are perennial, and show little<br />
variation in the quantity <strong>of</strong> water passing<br />
down them in winter or summer, except immediately<br />
after heavy rains. The descent to<br />
the foot <strong>of</strong> the Falls is at present impracticable<br />
from their immediate neighbourhood. It was<br />
reached for the first time-at least for many<br />
years-in the month <strong>of</strong> October, 1875, from<br />
a sketching camp formed by the writer, at<br />
the junction <strong>of</strong> Govett's Leap Gorge with the<br />
Valley <strong>of</strong> the Grose, to be hereafter described.<br />
That junction is situated about 12 miles<br />
down the Grose Valley from the Hartley<br />
Vale Siding (80 miles from Sydney), and<br />
2,270 feet below the <strong>Railway</strong> _; thence, owing<br />
to the roughness <strong>of</strong> the upper part <strong>of</strong><br />
Govett's Creek bed and the denseness <strong>of</strong> the<br />
scrub, fully three and a half hours are<br />
required to reach the foot <strong>of</strong> the Falls,<br />
although the distance, as above stated, is only<br />
about 3-1- miles in a straight line. As<br />
described by its visitor'l3 on that occasion, the<br />
scene at the bottom <strong>of</strong> the Falls is, if possible,<br />
grander than that from above. From the<br />
top you can see nothing distinctly, only an<br />
awful gulf, with a confused mass <strong>of</strong> foliage<br />
far b~low; but from below it appears a large<br />
amphitheatre, filled with trees <strong>of</strong> luxuriant<br />
growth, and ferns and mosses. The water<br />
corning down sometimes like falling rockets,<br />
sometimes dissipated by the wind into clouds<br />
<strong>of</strong> spray before it has half completed its<br />
downward course, is wafted over a large area,<br />
and insures the conditions <strong>of</strong> perennial<br />
moisture so plainly evidenced by the luxuriance<br />
<strong>of</strong> the surroundin()' verretation. Then<br />
, f O 0<br />
agam, rom below you have a sky-line broken<br />
into many fantastic shapes, and lighted up in<br />
parts with delicate bright hues, while others<br />
are in deep shade, in lieu <strong>of</strong> the almost<br />
uniformly level horizon seen from above.<br />
Standing at the basin at the foot <strong>of</strong> Govett's<br />
Leap, which is only about 25 yards from the<br />
perpendicular wall <strong>of</strong> rock, it is almost impossible<br />
to look up at the Falls. The better<br />
plan is to lie on one's back, and look upwards<br />
to the zenith, when the 700 feet cliffs forming<br />
the ends <strong>of</strong> the horse-shoe bend in which the<br />
Falls are situated tower above you on either<br />
side, while the waterfall appears to be coming<br />
down from a depression in their centre almost<br />
on to your face. Few persons perhaps could<br />
lie in that position for more than a minute<br />
or two at a time without feeling giddy, the<br />
sight is so grand. Besides the three principal<br />
falls above referred to, there are many others<br />
in this valley and in that <strong>of</strong> the Grose <strong>of</strong><br />
almost equal depth, which have not yet been<br />
clm;ely approached; while some <strong>of</strong> the minor<br />
cascades-notably the 'Trinity Falls'-are<br />
<strong>of</strong> excessive beauty. Before leaving the<br />
subject it may be as well to record the origin<br />
<strong>of</strong> the name <strong>of</strong>' Govett's Leap.' Mr. W. R.<br />
Govett was a Government surveyor who, in<br />
the year 1832, under instructions from Sir<br />
Thomas (then Major) Mitcell, the Surveyor<br />
General, 'to survey the features <strong>of</strong> the county<br />
<strong>of</strong> Cook,' is supposed to have first discovered<br />
the Falls. He made some unsuccessful<br />
attempts to descend into the gorge ; but his<br />
plarn; <strong>of</strong> the contour <strong>of</strong> the ranges and gorges,<br />
as partly traversed and otherwise sketched in<br />
from above, and which illustrate an area <strong>of</strong><br />
some 650 square miles, are proved to be<br />
remarkably accurate, when the early date and<br />
limited means at his disposal, in country<br />
<strong>of</strong> so remarkahly difficult a character, and<br />
entirely uninhabited, are considered."<br />
Another description <strong>of</strong> Govett's Leap.<br />
-Mr. Edwin Barton's description <strong>of</strong> Govett's<br />
Leap and its vicinity will also Le re.ad with<br />
interest. That indefatigable litterateiir says :<br />
" One <strong>of</strong> the greatest natural ,vonders <strong>of</strong> the<br />
world is Govett's Leap, 6 miles from Mount<br />
Victoria Station. The goods train, which<br />
leaves soon after 10 o'clock every morning,<br />
will drop the excursionist at Blackheath<br />
Platform, and a walk <strong>of</strong> a mile and a half<br />
through some pretty scenery will bring him<br />
to the Gap itself. There was once a stockade<br />
here, and the ruins <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ficers' quarters<br />
may still be see.n lying on the ground, whilst<br />
on the opposite side <strong>of</strong> the station is an old<br />
graveyard. The track leading to the 'Leap,'<br />
which is wide enough for buggies, is entered<br />
amidst some tea-tree scrub a hundred yards<br />
or so to the left <strong>of</strong> the Main Western Road,<br />
and not far from the hotel. Once on the<br />
track the visitor has nothing to do but to<br />
follow it up until he reaches the tremendous<br />
rent or depression in the earth, which is said<br />
to be the deepest chasm with perpendicular
58 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
cliffs in the known world. It is almost sur-·<br />
rounded with these cliffs, which are believed<br />
to be nowhere less than 3,000 feet above the<br />
level <strong>of</strong> the sea. The full sublimity and<br />
majestic grandeur <strong>of</strong> the scene is not realised<br />
at a first glance. After contemplating it for<br />
a time the mind becomes filled with awe and<br />
wonder as it vainly strives to comprehend<br />
" ---The vast immeasurable abyss<br />
Outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, wild."<br />
The trees in the valley below, although one<br />
or two hundred feet high, or perhaps more,<br />
are undistinguishable in their individuality.<br />
Standing on the abrupt precipitous wall, one<br />
cannot help feeling a strong desire to reach<br />
the depths <strong>of</strong> the gorge. But the closer one<br />
seeks for a spot at which a descent can be<br />
made, the more certain does it appear that<br />
such an object is unattainable. It is recorded<br />
that Sir Thomas Mitchell (formerly<br />
Surveyor-General for the Colony) endeavoured,<br />
first by walking ancl then by crawling between<br />
the great fragments <strong>of</strong> sandstone, to ascend<br />
the Gorge through which the river Grose<br />
joins the Nepean, but in vain. Near to the<br />
shed which was erected by the Government<br />
on the occasion <strong>of</strong> Prince Alfred's visit, and<br />
which overlooks the ravine, a track may be<br />
noticed winding down 200 or 300 feet, to<br />
where a rock juts out, and on which those<br />
who are fearless enough may recline, and<br />
endeavour, if they can, to form some conception<br />
<strong>of</strong> this wonderful place. The scenery is<br />
full <strong>of</strong> grandeur, and to add to its beauty<br />
there are two streams, which are precipitated<br />
into the mighty chasm, and a~though meeting<br />
with no impediment but the atmosphere in<br />
their descent, they are dissipated into mist<br />
long before their waters can reach the bottom<br />
j and <strong>of</strong>ten when the wind is favourable<br />
the spray is wafted upwards and along for a<br />
considerable distance. To a few members <strong>of</strong><br />
the New South Wales Academy <strong>of</strong> Art is the<br />
horror due <strong>of</strong> having explored the valleys which<br />
lead up to this tremendous gorge. For some<br />
days this gallant band made their home in the<br />
ravines, and succeeded in ascertaining the<br />
heights <strong>of</strong> the hills, and taking a number <strong>of</strong><br />
excellent photographs <strong>of</strong> the scenery."<br />
The Mermaid's Glen.-The visitor to<br />
Blackheath should 11ot omit to pay a visit to<br />
a pretty dell known as the Mermaid's Glen.<br />
To reach it you leave Blackheath platform,<br />
and after following the <strong>Railway</strong> line in the<br />
direction <strong>of</strong> Sydney for about half a mile the<br />
word "Cave" will be found written on the<br />
~ailway fence (southern boundary), a little<br />
distance beyond the furthest distance signal<br />
from the station. From the fence a welldefined<br />
track leads into the valley. At the<br />
bottom <strong>of</strong> the glen the track passes between<br />
two rocks into a lovely natural basin, dense<br />
with ferns, into which a streamlet falls.<br />
Leaving this and passing to the right a larger<br />
stream is found running through the valley j<br />
the stream is hidden in many parts by masses<br />
<strong>of</strong> ferns and shrubs; in places forest trees,<br />
. their trunks covered with moss <strong>of</strong> years'<br />
growth, have fallen across it; while the living<br />
trees, with foliage beautifully green and dense,<br />
t!1row a grateful shade over the whole glen.<br />
Mount Victoria Station, 77 miles;<br />
3,422 feet above sea-level.-4 miles northwest<br />
from the Blackheath PlaHorm is the<br />
Station <strong>of</strong> Mount Victoria, not the less remarkable<br />
for the centrality <strong>of</strong> its position<br />
and for its bracing atmosphere than for the<br />
grandeur <strong>of</strong> its scenery. Mount Victoria is<br />
a place <strong>of</strong> some importance, being a very<br />
favourite place <strong>of</strong> resort for tourists and invalids.<br />
Already it contains numerous villa<br />
residences, a post <strong>of</strong>fice, a telegraph station,<br />
two or three stores, and three excellent<br />
hotels-the "Royal," Perry's "Imperial,"<br />
and the " :Manor House." There is also<br />
a Public School and an Anglican Church.<br />
The "Imperial Hotel" is a large castellated<br />
edifice, occupying a commanding situation<br />
between the two other hotels. In the immediate<br />
vicinity <strong>of</strong> Mount Victoria are many<br />
localities <strong>of</strong> great beauty and peculiar interest<br />
to the traveller. Amongst these are: Mount<br />
Piddington; the Fairy Dell; the Engineer's<br />
Cascade ; the Little Zigzag ; the Fairy Bower;<br />
Cox's Cave and Waterfall, below Mount<br />
Piddington; and the Mount Victoria Pass.<br />
There are few places throughout the whole<br />
Blue Mountain Range where a more pleasant<br />
variety can be found for the lovers <strong>of</strong> the<br />
picturesque or more comfortable accommodation.<br />
. It is usual for tourists to make Mount<br />
Victoria their head-quarters, and thence to<br />
make excursions in different directions-up
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 59<br />
and down the line, away into Hartley Vale,<br />
and into the great Cunimbla Valley and<br />
elsewhere.<br />
Mount Piddington.-A favourite much<br />
frequented spot is Mount Piddington, to the<br />
south <strong>of</strong> Mount Victoria, one <strong>of</strong> the highest<br />
points in the vicinity, and about a mile from<br />
the Station. Mount Piddington received<br />
its name in commemoration <strong>of</strong> the enterprise<br />
and public spirit <strong>of</strong> the Hon. W. R. Piddington,<br />
who felled many trees on the summit,<br />
formed the roads, and caused seats to be constructed<br />
by the Government for the convenience<br />
<strong>of</strong> pedestrians. The place is now<br />
vested in the hands <strong>of</strong> three Trustees (Mr.<br />
Cousins, Mr. Benson, and the Hon. Mr.<br />
Piddington), who have done a great deal<br />
towards making the many places <strong>of</strong> note easy<br />
<strong>of</strong> access to the crowd <strong>of</strong> tourists who visit<br />
hero. On Mount Piddington a commodious<br />
hut has been erected, from which the visitor,<br />
protected from sun or rain, may see the glorious<br />
view spread out before him. Thi::i grand<br />
eminence, Yisible from the <strong>Railway</strong> on the<br />
Sydney side, overlooks a portion <strong>of</strong> the Vale<br />
<strong>of</strong> Hartley and the broad Cunimbla Valley,<br />
amongst the undulating hills and forests <strong>of</strong><br />
which there are numerous homesteads. To<br />
the south-east are the uplands <strong>of</strong> the country<br />
near the town <strong>of</strong> Camden; and to the north<br />
may be seen the distant ranges which lie<br />
away in the direction <strong>of</strong> Singleton, on the<br />
Hunter. Much nearer, at the distance <strong>of</strong><br />
only a dozen miles or so, may be recognized<br />
the four mountains <strong>of</strong> King Georg0, Hay,<br />
,vilson, and Toomah. The view from Mount<br />
Piddington ( everywhere traversed by admirable<br />
roads) is extremely fine in the early<br />
morning, when the varied depths <strong>of</strong> the whole<br />
Valley <strong>of</strong> Cunim hla <strong>of</strong>ten lie whelme:l in a<br />
misty moving se:i <strong>of</strong> blue ( cobalt) tipped here<br />
and there with the rosy ( or golden) light <strong>of</strong><br />
the sun. Mr. E. Vickery's country residence,<br />
on some far-away hill in the great valley<br />
below, is at all times a conspicuous and<br />
interesting feature in the charming prospect<br />
here unfolded to view. It is near Vickery's<br />
only 2 or 3 miles beyond it, that the Blackheath<br />
Creek falls into the river Cox.<br />
The Engineer's Cascade.-The Engineer's<br />
Cascade is a fine waterfall a mile or so<br />
at the back <strong>of</strong> Ferry's " Family Hotel," about<br />
midway between Mount Piddington and the<br />
Little Zigzag-a little to the left <strong>of</strong> the road<br />
as you go down towards the Pass. Here,<br />
as in many <strong>of</strong> the other dingles and glens,<br />
wild flowers, mosses, and ferns abound. The<br />
view from this spot to the south-westward is<br />
very highly spoken <strong>of</strong>.<br />
The Little Zigzag or Cunimbla Pass.<br />
Not far from the Old Main Road, and to the<br />
rear <strong>of</strong> "Ferry's Hotel," there is a bridle-track<br />
laid out by the Roads Department, leading<br />
from the mountain down the face <strong>of</strong> the<br />
precipice into the Cunimbla Valley. This is<br />
generally known as the Little Zigzag or<br />
Cunim bla Pass, and is well deserving <strong>of</strong> a<br />
visit. This pass, formed with much shill on<br />
a series <strong>of</strong> zigzags, is 46 chains in length.<br />
There are sixteen <strong>of</strong> these traverses on the<br />
side <strong>of</strong> the mountain, each averaging about<br />
190 feet in length. The scenery from these<br />
successive terraces ( and especially from the<br />
upper ones) is very grand. To the. right is<br />
Mount Victoria, with its connecting pass on<br />
the Old Road, in full view, and there is<br />
moreover an unbroken prospect stretching<br />
over all the lower country. Half-way down<br />
this road are some remarkable :fissures in the<br />
rocks, known as the Cunimbla Caves. These<br />
extend into the mountain for some depth.<br />
The Mount Victoria Pass.-The Monnt<br />
Victoria Pass-ahout 2 miles from the Mount<br />
Victoria Station, on the Old Road to the<br />
westward leading towards Hartley-was constructed<br />
many years ago by prison labour,<br />
under the supervision <strong>of</strong> Sir Thomas Mitchell.<br />
In the old clays, before the existence <strong>of</strong><br />
Railroads, it was regarded as a triumph <strong>of</strong><br />
engineering skill, and it is still well worth a<br />
visit. After passing through a deep cutting<br />
at this spot the visitor should turn <strong>of</strong>f the<br />
road for a few yards to the right, and he will<br />
then have spread before him a magnificent<br />
panorama <strong>of</strong> mountain, vale, and forest ;<br />
Little Hartley lying at his feet, Great Hartley<br />
beyond, and Bowenfels in the distance. Here<br />
Hartley Vale ( containing the measured lands<br />
<strong>of</strong> the New South Wales Shale and Oil Company,<br />
with Mount York and Mount Clarence<br />
adjoining-in fact the whole upper basin <strong>of</strong><br />
the river Lett and other minor tributaries <strong>of</strong>
60 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
the Cox) lies away to the north and west <strong>of</strong><br />
this road and pass, hemmed in by the steep<br />
mountain ridges upon the east and north.<br />
Mount York.-Another pleasant walk<br />
from Mount Victoria may be found along the<br />
ridge to Mount York, one <strong>of</strong> the most prominent<br />
elevations on the western side <strong>of</strong> the<br />
range. This mountain-which is named after<br />
Her present Majesty's uncle, the Duke <strong>of</strong><br />
York-terminates abruptly to the westward<br />
(at about 6 miles from the Mount Victoria<br />
Station) in precipices <strong>of</strong> over 750 feet in<br />
height; its topmost point being 3,292 feet<br />
above the level <strong>of</strong> the sea. On the one hand,<br />
at the base <strong>of</strong> this mountain lies the Valley<br />
<strong>of</strong> Clwydd·:
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 61<br />
and Lithgow. The principal hotel is the<br />
"Imperial." It is one <strong>of</strong> the largest out <strong>of</strong><br />
Sydney, contains seventy rooms, and has<br />
accommodation for eighty people. Opposite<br />
the hotel the proprietor has laid out a recreation<br />
ground for his patrons, tennis-court, &c.<br />
<strong>Guide</strong>s, horses and vehicles, are always to be<br />
obtained, and excursions are now frequently<br />
made from here to the Fish River Caves, the<br />
distance being 31 miles. The oldest established<br />
house, kept by Mrs. Perry, and the<br />
"Royal,." are also comfortable well-appointed<br />
hotels, situated in close proximity to the<br />
station. Visitors who desire more private<br />
accommodation can secure it at Manor<br />
House, a private hotel, well conducted and<br />
favourably situated. In addition there are<br />
several other private establishments, so that<br />
a large number <strong>of</strong> visitors can be here accommodated.<br />
Excursion from Mount Victoria to<br />
the Weatherboard.-An artist, or any real<br />
lover <strong>of</strong> the picturesque, may take a very<br />
pleasant excursion from Mount Victoria to<br />
the "Weatherboard," by starting early in<br />
the morning, and walking all the way down<br />
by the side <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Railway</strong>, a distance <strong>of</strong> 15<br />
miles. Much lovely scenery may thus be<br />
observed by a pedestrian tourist, which he<br />
cannot otherwise see, either from the line<br />
or the Old Road. At about a mile to the<br />
eastward <strong>of</strong> Mount Victoria he will come,<br />
al ways looking to the right, upon a bold<br />
bluff in the foreground, fringed with woods<br />
along its outline; sweeping round from the<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> range to where it ends, in a cliff<br />
with a well-wooded talus. Beyond this<br />
stands disclosed an enchanting prospect <strong>of</strong><br />
the Great Cunimbla Valley to the southeast-spread<br />
out before you as on a model<br />
map. These distant reaches <strong>of</strong> country are<br />
beautifully diversified in outline and colour,<br />
and when seen early in the morning, or<br />
(better still) in the evening, are full <strong>of</strong> great<br />
effects <strong>of</strong> light and shade. Further on, at<br />
the top <strong>of</strong> a deep perpendicular cuttingnear<br />
the staff <strong>of</strong> the telegraph line-there is<br />
another grand view <strong>of</strong> the same valley, the<br />
chrome-coloured cliffs in the foreground<br />
lending to it a strange but striking attraction.<br />
Then the tourist has to scramble,<br />
at some risk, past three precipitous cuttings,<br />
and he will at length find himself rewarded<br />
with the unexpected prospect <strong>of</strong> a curious<br />
grey rock to the west <strong>of</strong> a great gR.p to the<br />
southward-best seen from an old disused<br />
road to the south <strong>of</strong> the line. Another<br />
grand view is next disclosed further on to<br />
the eastward, the Great Cunimbla Valley<br />
appearing over the broken edge <strong>of</strong> a shelving<br />
semicircular basin <strong>of</strong> rock, with sloping<br />
woods, set <strong>of</strong>f (laterally) by tall and brightly<br />
tinted cliffs. The next ·change presents a<br />
modification <strong>of</strong> the same kind <strong>of</strong> scene,<br />
· dotted everywhere with broken fragments <strong>of</strong><br />
isolated grey rock and rough pyramids <strong>of</strong><br />
stone; Mount Piddington reappearing in<br />
the distance to the westward. This pretty<br />
well occupies the first 4 miles <strong>of</strong> the trip;<br />
but (near the Blackheath Platform) there<br />
are still occasional peeps <strong>of</strong> the Great Valley<br />
worth going many miles to see, and not<br />
visible from tlie adjacent line. Passing<br />
Blackheath and continuing along the line<br />
towards Katoomba there will be found a<br />
varied succession <strong>of</strong> views to the south and<br />
south-east - at least six - that are well<br />
deserving <strong>of</strong> the artist's pencil. Having<br />
reached Katoomba-11 miles from Mount<br />
Victoria-the tourist will find several grand<br />
views <strong>of</strong> huge parti-coloured cliffs and<br />
shadowy ranges-especially one which he<br />
will open out soon after he has passed the<br />
siding and telegraph station. Good accommodation<br />
can be had at Katoomba, and<br />
after obtaining refreshment the visitor can<br />
resume his walk to Wentworth Falls, distant<br />
4 miles.<br />
Hartley Vale Platform, 80 miles; 8,818<br />
feet above sea-level.-After leaving the<br />
Mount Victoria Station the <strong>Railway</strong> takes a<br />
northerly and sometimes even a north-easterly<br />
direction, along a narrow ridge, known as<br />
the "Darling Causeway," and dividing the<br />
watersheds. The waters fall into the Grose<br />
to the eastward ; whilst, on the western side<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ridge, the heads <strong>of</strong> the river Lett, and<br />
other affiuents <strong>of</strong> the Cox, although eastern<br />
waters, commence their course by flowing to<br />
the westward. As the traveller proceeds<br />
towards Lithgow and Bathurst, he may first<br />
observe a fine view to the left opening up a<br />
deep well-wooded valley-that <strong>of</strong> Clwydd;<br />
whilst to the right (the eastward) Mount
62 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
King George, with its singularly stratified<br />
cliffs, is · seen in mid-distance. Next he<br />
catches, on the same side, a passing glimpse<br />
<strong>of</strong> a wild and stony country ; and then-as<br />
by a magic shift <strong>of</strong> the camera-a grand and<br />
more distant view is seen <strong>of</strong> Mount King<br />
George and Mount Hay. After that (still<br />
to the eastward) he has a brief out-look over<br />
the upper portion <strong>of</strong> the gorge <strong>of</strong> the Grose,<br />
stretching past the northerly mouth <strong>of</strong> the<br />
gorge <strong>of</strong> Govett's Leap. To the westward<br />
the traveller can occasionally see peeps <strong>of</strong> the<br />
beautiful Vale <strong>of</strong> Hartley, which, curiously<br />
enough, gives its name to the next <strong>Railway</strong><br />
platform after Mount Victoria, upon the<br />
mountain ridge.<br />
Kerosene Mines in Hartley Vale.~<br />
"The Kerosene Mines in Hartley Vale," says<br />
Burton, "are well worth seeing, not alone on<br />
account <strong>of</strong> the scenery but also becaus~<br />
there is some interest attaching to a successful<br />
and important industry. There is a<br />
siding laid down from the Great Western<br />
<strong>Railway</strong>, about 3 miles from Mount Victoria,<br />
and the goods and passenger trains may be<br />
availed <strong>of</strong>. Visitors will be put down at the<br />
Hartley Vale Siding if previous notice be<br />
given to the guard. Then a walk <strong>of</strong> a mile<br />
and a half will bring them to the face <strong>of</strong> an<br />
almost perpendicular rock 600 feet high, up<br />
which the shale is hoisted by a wire rope<br />
worked by steam. The shale is conveyed to<br />
Sydney, the bulk <strong>of</strong> it for making oil at the<br />
Western Kerosene Company's Works at<br />
Waterloo, some for the manufacture <strong>of</strong> gas,<br />
and some for export. The main road from<br />
Mount" Victoria to Bowenfels passes within 4<br />
miles (to the south) <strong>of</strong> the mines." The best<br />
seam <strong>of</strong> petroleum oil coal here is 3 feet 2<br />
inches thick. It has been pronounced by the<br />
Examiner <strong>of</strong> Coal Fields to be equal to any<br />
known seam in any other part <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />
It yields from 150 to 160 gallons <strong>of</strong> crude<br />
oil to the ton, with an illuminating power<br />
equal to forty candles.<br />
The Valley <strong>of</strong> the Grose.-From the<br />
Hartley Vale Platform, on its eastern side,<br />
the traveller may, with some necessary assistance,<br />
find the best track down into the Valley<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Grose, following that river from its<br />
head down to the " Junction Camp," already<br />
spoken <strong>of</strong> under the section <strong>of</strong> Blackheath<br />
and Govett's Leap, a distance <strong>of</strong> about D<br />
miles. The Valley <strong>of</strong> the Grose, says Mr.<br />
Du Faur, "may be taken as typical <strong>of</strong> the<br />
character <strong>of</strong> the ravines by which the Blue<br />
Mountains are intersected in all directions;<br />
their geological character will be treated in<br />
a separate paper. Possessing at present<br />
but a limited watershed <strong>of</strong> about 268 square<br />
miles, it is bounded on the south by the<br />
main ridge which has been chosen for the<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> line; on the west, for about 6 miles,<br />
by the Darling Causeway above referred to ;<br />
and on the north by the main ridge along<br />
which 'Bell's Line <strong>of</strong> Road,' a route for<br />
stock only, passes over Mount Tomah and<br />
the Kurrajong Hills to Richmond. Its<br />
course in a direct line, from the Darling<br />
Causeway to its confiuence with the Hawkesbury<br />
River, a little above Richmond, does<br />
not exceed 26 miles; yet within this limited<br />
area, through which flows a stream that<br />
may generally be forded, though at times<br />
an impetuous torrent, are everywhere present<br />
evidences <strong>of</strong> the silent workings <strong>of</strong><br />
Time and Nature on a stupendous scale ;<br />
no sudden upheavals <strong>of</strong> volcanic force, hut<br />
the gradual disintegration due to atmospheric<br />
and pluvial forces, commenced probably<br />
under very different condition& to those<br />
obtaining at present, but still continuing.<br />
The valley was traversed throughout in 1859<br />
by a party <strong>of</strong> sappers and miners, with a<br />
view to testing its practicability as a route<br />
for the Western <strong>Railway</strong>; since that date<br />
it has only been visited occasionally at long<br />
intervals. In 1875 it was determined to<br />
form a sketching and photographic camp at<br />
about 12 miles down the valley, with a view<br />
to roughly illustrating it, in order to bring<br />
it under the notice <strong>of</strong> artists and lovers <strong>of</strong><br />
natural scenery ; and also, as previously<br />
stated, to explore a route to the foot <strong>of</strong><br />
Govett's Leap Falls. On a preliminary trip,<br />
made in July, it was found that the sappers'<br />
and miners' track were so overgrown, encumbered<br />
by fallen trees, and obliterated in parts<br />
by landslips, that a considerable amount <strong>of</strong><br />
clearing was necessary to enable packhorses<br />
to pass down the gorge with reasonable safety.<br />
This having been done, two camps were at<br />
last formed in October-the upper one at<br />
about 7 miles below the <strong>Railway</strong>, and the
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 63<br />
lower at the junction <strong>of</strong> Govett's Leap Creek<br />
with the river, under the magnificent cliffs<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mount King George. The transport <strong>of</strong><br />
instruments and chemicals, by hand, down<br />
such a path, and the limited time for which<br />
the services <strong>of</strong> the photographer (supplied by<br />
the Commissioners for the Philadelphia Exhibition)<br />
were available, precluded any hope<br />
<strong>of</strong> obtaining results <strong>of</strong> finished excellence.<br />
Each spot, previously selected, had to be<br />
taken when reached, irrespective <strong>of</strong> adverse<br />
conditions <strong>of</strong> light or weather, and <strong>of</strong> chemicals<br />
constantly disturbed; and the strength<br />
<strong>of</strong> the party was altogether inadequate for<br />
making the clearings in timber and scrub,<br />
without which many <strong>of</strong> the finest views could<br />
not be favourably reproduced by photography.<br />
At the utter camp, at which operations commenced,<br />
a depth <strong>of</strong> 1,880 feet had been<br />
reached; but between that point and the<br />
Junction Camp, although the actual difference<br />
<strong>of</strong> level was only 390 feet in 5 miles, the<br />
track was particularly hilly, passing over the<br />
lateral spurs which descend very abruptly to<br />
the river bed; in some places also the width<br />
<strong>of</strong> the gorge is so little, in comparison to the<br />
stupendous heights <strong>of</strong> the adjacent cliffs, that<br />
the latter subtend a larger angle than can<br />
be compassed by the camera. The scenery<br />
in many pa1·ts <strong>of</strong> the river bed is remarkably<br />
picturesque ; the colours <strong>of</strong> the rocks <strong>of</strong> most<br />
varied hues; the foliage on the river bank,<br />
more especially on its left bank, <strong>of</strong> a luxuriance<br />
so seldom met with in the Colony; while<br />
the rush <strong>of</strong> the water amongst the obstructing<br />
boulders, and its perfect transparency in<br />
the still pools or slighter rapids, affords fresh<br />
charms to the artist at every turn-charms<br />
·which, unfortunately, cannot be reproduced<br />
by photography."<br />
Mount Wilson Platform, 88 miles;<br />
3,478 feet above sea-level.-3 miles north<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Hartley Vale Siding, and 6 from the<br />
Mount Victoria Station, stands the Mount<br />
Wilson Platform, erected at the western<br />
termination <strong>of</strong> the Bell's Line <strong>of</strong> Road from<br />
Richmond, between 4 and 5 miles to the<br />
westward <strong>of</strong> Mount Wilson, from which it<br />
takes its name.<br />
Mount Wilson.-Speaking <strong>of</strong> Mount<br />
Wilson itself, where the scenery is as striking<br />
as it is uninteresting at the "Platform" <strong>of</strong><br />
that name, Mr. Du Faur has remarked on<br />
the beauty <strong>of</strong> the vegetation, and the fertility<br />
<strong>of</strong> the soil. That gentleman says-" The<br />
scanty vegetation and miserably stunted and<br />
gnarled timber which everywhere surround<br />
the tourist on the Blue Mountains and<br />
obscure his view-except when, standing on<br />
the edge <strong>of</strong> a precipice, he looks down on the<br />
more luxuriant growth which is barely<br />
visible in the gorges beneath him-detract<br />
immensely from the interest <strong>of</strong> the scenery.<br />
There are but two striking exceptions to this<br />
general condition, viz., at Mount Tomah, on<br />
Bell's Line <strong>of</strong> Road (which is unfavourably<br />
situated, owing to its distance from the<br />
<strong>Railway</strong>), and at Mount Wilson, the position<br />
<strong>of</strong> which has already been generally described.<br />
A ride <strong>of</strong> about 5 miles (from the Mount<br />
Wilson Platform) along the northern watershed<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Grose, and <strong>of</strong> about 3 miles<br />
further along a spur trending to the northward's<br />
from Bell's Line <strong>of</strong> Road, and leading<br />
down into some <strong>of</strong> the heads <strong>of</strong> tne Wollangambe<br />
Creek and the Colo River (also<br />
affiuents <strong>of</strong> the Hawkesbury River), brings<br />
the tourist to the foot <strong>of</strong> a ridge, which<br />
on his right hand appears to be bounded<br />
by the usual perpendicular escarpment <strong>of</strong><br />
horizontal sandstone <strong>of</strong> the Hawkesbury<br />
formation; but the denser undergrowth,<br />
the increased size and improved symmetry<br />
<strong>of</strong> the trees, and the rich black soil beneath<br />
bis feet, tell <strong>of</strong> a sudden change. A few<br />
yards further on, along a rather steep ascent<br />
<strong>of</strong> about 1 in 7, is disclosed a charming<br />
avenue cut through this dense undergrowth,<br />
on a steep sideling bordered with clematis,<br />
wild tobacco plants, native raspberry, and<br />
ot~er luxuriant shrubs, amongst which tower<br />
l<strong>of</strong>ty blue gums (Eucctlyptiis botryoides),<br />
stringy-bark (E. amygdalina), black butt (E.<br />
pilularis), and other eucalypti, interspersed<br />
with clumps <strong>of</strong> sassafras (Doryophora sassafras),<br />
acacias, and tree ferns (Alsophila<br />
australis, and Dicksonia antarctica) <strong>of</strong> an<br />
unusual height. The cause <strong>of</strong> this sudden<br />
change is at once apparent. The upper bank<br />
<strong>of</strong> the road is studded with boulders <strong>of</strong><br />
basaltic rock, a dyke <strong>of</strong> which has burst<br />
through and overcapped the sandstone, and<br />
its disintegration has formed the rich black<br />
chocolate-coloured soil which has favoured
- - ------<br />
64 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
this special vegetation. A rise <strong>of</strong> 260 feet<br />
in less than half a mile leads to the summit<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ridge, which extends in an east-northeast<br />
direction for about 10 miles, but has not<br />
been fully explored for more than half that<br />
distance. Bounded on all sides by steep<br />
thickly wooded slopes, penetrable with difficulty<br />
by man or beast, and by precipitous<br />
cliffs, this remarkable oasis appears to have<br />
been scarcely visited until ten years ago,<br />
except by Mr. Surveyor Govett, who traversed<br />
the western portion <strong>of</strong> it in 1832.<br />
In 1869 the present road up the mountain<br />
was cut by the Government, and the richer<br />
portion <strong>of</strong> the land measured for sale ; it<br />
remained, however, unnoticed until 1875,<br />
when the sixty-two allotments previously<br />
measured, and containing in all about 1,025<br />
acres, were taken up by thirty-three purchasers.<br />
The distance <strong>of</strong> Mount Wilson<br />
from the <strong>Railway</strong>,* and the large amount <strong>of</strong><br />
available land, barren as it is, within easier<br />
access, has hitherto militated against its<br />
settlement; but there can be little doubt in<br />
the minds <strong>of</strong> those who have once visited it<br />
that it will eventually become a favourite<br />
resort by those requiring a change from the<br />
relaxing climate <strong>of</strong> Sydney, as it affords a<br />
climate as bracing as that <strong>of</strong> Tasmania, and<br />
a vegetation and scenery not inferior to that<br />
<strong>of</strong> New Zea.land. In the winter season occasional<br />
falls <strong>of</strong> snow occur, and ice lies in the<br />
shady spots for several days together-the<br />
thermometer falling at night as low as 22°<br />
]'ahr., and for weeks in succession below<br />
freezing point, but the shelter afforded by<br />
the vegetation protects the locality from the<br />
bleakness experienced in the more exposed<br />
parts <strong>of</strong> the mountains ; and in June and<br />
July it is not uncommon on still bright<br />
mornings to find the thermometer standing<br />
at 60° in the sun, while the frost still lies<br />
untha wed in the shade. The summit <strong>of</strong> the<br />
ridge is chiefly covered with a dense growth<br />
<strong>of</strong> eucalypti (the mere trunks <strong>of</strong> which almost<br />
obscure the horizon), and in the undergrowth<br />
* About 8 miles, by Bell'a Line <strong>of</strong> Road. After<br />
the turning-<strong>of</strong>f to Mount Wilson, " Bell's Line"<br />
continues to take a south-east direction for nearly 2<br />
miles, and then follows up a ridge to the north-east,<br />
between the waters <strong>of</strong> Bowen's Creek and the<br />
affiuents <strong>of</strong> the Grose, passing Mount Bell on the<br />
right, and '' The Haystack" on the left, towards<br />
Mount Tomah and the Kurrajong.<br />
it is no exaggeration to say that thousands<br />
<strong>of</strong> tree ferns, ranging up to 30 feet in<br />
height, are' visible in every direction; it is on<br />
the southern slopes that the sassafras jungle<br />
is found, in which mosses and orchids luxuriate,<br />
and festoons <strong>of</strong> lianes hang from the<br />
topmost branches. There are two peculiarities<br />
in this vegetation which are worthy<br />
<strong>of</strong> notice : (1) that the tree ferns (Alsophila<br />
aiistralis) frequently bifurcate at a short<br />
distance from the ground, and in many cases<br />
divide into three or four, and sometimes into<br />
five and six stems, from one root; (2) that<br />
tree-ferns (which must be <strong>of</strong> very ancient<br />
date) are frequently almost entirely absorbed<br />
by the growth <strong>of</strong> forest trees ( Qiiintinia<br />
sieberii) which germinating in the axles <strong>of</strong><br />
their fronds, send down suckers to the ground,<br />
and enclose within their solid tim her the fern<br />
stems from which they derived their first<br />
support. In some cases are seen ferns which,<br />
having attained a growth <strong>of</strong> 20 feet in height,<br />
have been laid low by the wind, and where<br />
some portions <strong>of</strong> their heads have touched<br />
the ground a second growth <strong>of</strong> equal altitude<br />
has succeeded,· which, in its turn, has been<br />
subsequently enclosed by a quintinia <strong>of</strong> large<br />
diameter, while the roots <strong>of</strong> the original treefern<br />
still retain their vitality. The measured<br />
lands on l\fount Wilson include the greater<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the rich basaltic formation interspersed<br />
with poorer sandstone soil, which<br />
frequently leads to abrupt precipices forming<br />
its boundaries ; from the edge <strong>of</strong> these,<br />
extensive views are obtained over the<br />
broken uninhabited ranges and gorges which<br />
surround it in all directions. 'I'his scenery<br />
extends as far as Capertee, 32 miles distant.<br />
From other points the dividing ranges forming<br />
the watershed <strong>of</strong> the Hunter River are<br />
visible (W arra W olong, distant 60 miles in<br />
one direction, and W erong and Coricudgy, 50<br />
miles in another), while from the cliffs first<br />
mentioned as lying to the right hand <strong>of</strong> the<br />
traveller when ascending the mountains, the<br />
view has been considered almost unsurpassed<br />
on the Blue Mountains : it embraces Barranjuey<br />
(Broken Bay Heads), on the horizon to<br />
the east, and Mount ,J elore (60 miles distant),<br />
to the south ; the Flagstaff Hill, Mounts Victoria,<br />
King George, Hay, and Tomah, and<br />
the Haystack in the middle distance; and<br />
the northern watershed <strong>of</strong> Bowen and W ol-
Lithgow Valley Zig-Zag.
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 65<br />
langambe Creeks, a succession <strong>of</strong> broken<br />
ravines more than a thousand feet below the<br />
stand-point, form the foregronnd." Mr. E. C.<br />
M erewether, Mr. E. King Cox, Mr. vVynne,<br />
Mr. Stephen, and others, are the owners<br />
<strong>of</strong> land in this picturesque and beautiful<br />
locality.<br />
Clarence Siding Platform, 88 miles ;<br />
3,658 feet above sea-level.-The line<br />
having made a slight descent between Mount<br />
Victoria and the Hartley Vale Siding, rises<br />
160 feet before it reaches the Mount Wilson<br />
Platform, and continues to rise 180 feet more<br />
during the next 5 miles to the north-west,<br />
when (at the Clarence Siding) its greatest<br />
altitude is attained-upwards <strong>of</strong> 3,650 feet.<br />
Here there are signs <strong>of</strong> cultivation, a large<br />
siding and several houses for persons employed<br />
upon the line. At a short distance<br />
to the west <strong>of</strong> the platform there is a tunnel<br />
539 yards in length, lined with cemented<br />
masonry throughout. The Mount Clarence<br />
Tunnel is about a mile on the Sydney side <strong>of</strong><br />
the Lithgow Valley Zigzag. The features <strong>of</strong><br />
the country hereabouts were such that the<br />
surveyors who marked out the line had to<br />
be lowered down over the rocks with ropes,<br />
the contractor having also to commence his<br />
work in a similar way. Emerging from the<br />
long dark tunnel the traveller finch; abundant<br />
occupation in lookin
66 TH]!} RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
situated, and it is at Eskbank the principal<br />
portion <strong>of</strong> the Rail way business is done, the<br />
Lithgow platform being merely for passenger<br />
and parcels traffic. "Attention," says a<br />
journalist, "has rather despondently been<br />
drawn to the supposed circumstance that an<br />
extension <strong>of</strong> <strong>Railway</strong> to some retired inland<br />
towns, both here and in England, not only<br />
fails permanently to advance their relative<br />
importance, but even that such a direct connection<br />
with the more stirring centres <strong>of</strong><br />
population and commercial activity appears<br />
frequently and actually to cause a sort <strong>of</strong><br />
retrogressive effect-especially when the<br />
line passes further on into the depths <strong>of</strong><br />
a hitherto wholly undeveloped country.<br />
There is, as in all such generalizationEI, no<br />
doubt a certain degree <strong>of</strong> truth in that remark;<br />
but it by no means conveys the true assertion<br />
<strong>of</strong> an absolute and general fact, for very <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
a decaying inland town (like Parramatta, for<br />
example, in this Colony) will, through the<br />
action <strong>of</strong> a <strong>Railway</strong>, gradually, and in the<br />
answered the call <strong>of</strong> Australian enterprise,<br />
and what no longer back than eight years<br />
ago was almost untouched bush, boasting bnt<br />
one or two inhabitants, is to-day a busy<br />
manufacturing community, who are solving<br />
some <strong>of</strong> the most important problems connected<br />
with industrial pursuits in New South<br />
Wales. Bountifully supplied as the locality .<br />
is with rich deposits <strong>of</strong> minerals and clays,<br />
and well provided as it is with means <strong>of</strong> communication<br />
by which markets in various<br />
directions can be found, the land lay for some<br />
time uninterfered with, and then, its great<br />
value suddenly becoming better known and<br />
understood, a mania to possess it seized upon<br />
various persons and it was speedily taken up,<br />
principally under lease."<br />
General description <strong>of</strong> Lithgow.-<br />
Lithgow, 96 miles from Sydney and 49 miles<br />
east <strong>of</strong> Bathurst, is now a rising mining and<br />
industrial township, situated in the wider<br />
and westerly portion <strong>of</strong> that secluded, rocky,<br />
most astonishing manner, revive and receive glen into which the "\Vestern <strong>Railway</strong><br />
a new and healthy impetus ; such an un- abruptly descends by the well-known Great<br />
expected reinvigoration as may also be seen Zigzag. This town, called into existence<br />
already manifesting itself at Bathurst, Goul- by the <strong>Railway</strong>, and not above ten years<br />
burn, and elsewhere. Nor is that all; for in old, already numbers over 2,000 inhabitants;<br />
many places (such as Lithgow and Blayney, having several excellent hotels, stores, and<br />
for example) which hut for the Railroad must dwelling-houses, with a handsome and cornhave<br />
remained mere picturesque solitudes, the modious Bank, Telegraph Office, Court-house,<br />
arrival <strong>of</strong> the 'iron horse' has shown a really Public School, Insurance Offices, Assembly<br />
marvellous tendency to create industrial Rooms, Club-houses, and such like comcentres,<br />
thriving townships, and busy mercial and social institutions. Everywhere<br />
populous communities. We may take Lith- substantial buildings are in the course <strong>of</strong><br />
gow as an instance <strong>of</strong> this creative action <strong>of</strong> erection in its long wide streets, and every<br />
the <strong>Railway</strong> everywhere, and especially in day some new sign <strong>of</strong> the rapid developsuch<br />
a country as New South Wales." ment <strong>of</strong> this <strong>Railway</strong> township is forced<br />
Another writer, referring to its progress, upon the observation <strong>of</strong> the astonished visitor.<br />
writes-" In no place out <strong>of</strong> Sydney within Lithgow stands in the entrance or more<br />
the Colony are there to be fonnd greater open part <strong>of</strong> Lithgow Valley-a picturesque<br />
evidence <strong>of</strong> progress in the past and solid locality, enclosed by precipitous, well-wooded<br />
prosperity in the future than in the little mountains, and is undeniably a place which<br />
thriving town <strong>of</strong> Lithgow-or Lithgow, Esk- but for the <strong>Railway</strong> would most certainly<br />
bank, and the Vale <strong>of</strong> Olwydd, for the three have remained to the end <strong>of</strong> time-as it did<br />
are in reality one-situated just the other side for countless ages after creation, and for<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountains, and within easy reach many long years subsequent to the founda<strong>of</strong><br />
Sydney by means <strong>of</strong> the Great -western tion <strong>of</strong> this Colony-unknown to the civilized<br />
<strong>Railway</strong>. As in the instance <strong>of</strong> the won- world, and utterly useless and unproductive.<br />
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 67<br />
factory, a tannery, a brewery, and such like<br />
industries. Coal is <strong>of</strong> course cheap and<br />
good, and firewood (as yet) abundant; water<br />
also is plentiful and <strong>of</strong> an excellent quality.<br />
At almost all <strong>of</strong> the collieries coal is readily<br />
obtained by running " drives" into the hillsides,<br />
which is a decided economy <strong>of</strong> labour.<br />
Good pi pecla y and firecla y are to be found everywhere,<br />
and potteries and brick-kilns are therefore<br />
attached to most <strong>of</strong> these establishments.<br />
The Lithgow Valley Colliery Company's<br />
Works are carried on at the distance <strong>of</strong> about<br />
a quarter <strong>of</strong> a mile from the Lithgow platform,<br />
and close to the mouth <strong>of</strong> the colliery the<br />
same Company are engaged in brick, pipe,<br />
and tile making. The seam <strong>of</strong> coal operated<br />
upon by the Lithgow Valley Coal Company<br />
is 10 feet in thickness, and is worked from<br />
the adit. There is a tramway with a<br />
siding to the adjacent trunk line, by means<br />
<strong>of</strong> which the coal can in all weathers be<br />
expeditiously despatched to the market.<br />
The coal, on "skips" or trucks~ is drawn out<br />
laterally from the mine by a small steamengine<br />
with a tail rope <strong>of</strong> wire. The tramway<br />
on entering this mine follows the dip<br />
<strong>of</strong> the seam for about a quarter <strong>of</strong> a mile,<br />
and then the skips are loaded from the<br />
workings. The coal is finally transferred<br />
from the skips by a platform and shoot at<br />
~he pit mouth into the waggons, in which it<br />
1s thence taken away to the line by Government<br />
engines. The number <strong>of</strong> men constantly<br />
employed on this colliery is twenty.<br />
Two horses are engaged for wheeling the coal<br />
in the skips inside <strong>of</strong> the mine. The brick<br />
and tile works <strong>of</strong> the same Company, adjacent<br />
to the mine, within half a mile <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Railway</strong>, are well deserving <strong>of</strong> a visit. Here<br />
(by machinery) are made fire-bricks, pressed<br />
bricks, and common bricks. They also make<br />
sanitary drain-pipes (for sewers) <strong>of</strong> a very<br />
superior quality and <strong>of</strong> large size-from 3<br />
inches to 2 feet in diameter. Drain-pipes <strong>of</strong><br />
a small size, for the purpose <strong>of</strong> draining land,<br />
are also here made to order for agriculturists.<br />
These are from 2 inches in diameter up to 6<br />
inches. Tiles <strong>of</strong> various shapes and colours<br />
are here also deftly manufactured. A firstclass<br />
machine is here now for the 1rnrpose <strong>of</strong><br />
making bricks by steam, and this enables the<br />
Company to turn out 12,000 bricks per diem,<br />
and to furnish tiles <strong>of</strong> various descriptions to<br />
order, with equal expedition and perfect<br />
finish. The bricks are made by the dry<br />
process and by the semi-plastic process.<br />
Olay for that purpose abounds ; and the fireclay<br />
(supposed to be quite equal to any found<br />
in the Australian Colonies) is all obtained<br />
from the shale, crushed by a disintegrator<br />
worked by steam. In the kilns the bricks,<br />
pipes, and mouldings for windows, &c., &c.,<br />
are burnt by the over-draft. The fire-bricks<br />
here made have been well tested, and have<br />
been proved to be <strong>of</strong> far better quality than<br />
than those commonly sent out from the Horne<br />
Country. Jn the brick and tile works <strong>of</strong><br />
the Lithgow Valley Coal Company there is<br />
a steam-engine <strong>of</strong> 40-horse power, working<br />
with a wire-rope on a barrel, by means <strong>of</strong><br />
which coal is not only brought up for immediate<br />
consumption, on a tramway from the<br />
pit mouth, but all the elaborate machinery<br />
is moved for the pipe, tile, and brick making.<br />
The same engine is also connected with a<br />
pump to keep water out <strong>of</strong> the mine and to<br />
supply the same element for the brick-making,<br />
&c. There are large sheds for drying the<br />
bricks, pipes, and tiles ; and hard by also<br />
stand constantly shifting stacks <strong>of</strong> all that<br />
has been manufactured for sale. The brickmaking<br />
machine on a new model (by Whitehead,<br />
<strong>of</strong> Preston, in Lancashire) is the<br />
first <strong>of</strong> the kind ever imported into this<br />
Colony. The new disintegrator works at 500<br />
revolutions per minute, having a double<br />
motion <strong>of</strong> the wheels. To an inquiring min
68 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
property <strong>of</strong> the Company ; the ore operated<br />
upon is found in quantities on the low<br />
fiat near the foundry (just beneath the<br />
surface) on a neighbouring hill to the<br />
north-east, but a considerable quantity is<br />
brought from outside sources. Coal may<br />
be readily procured for this Company on<br />
their own ground, and freestone, loam, and<br />
sand are all ready to hand. Here the<br />
Proprietary Company have a large blast<br />
furnace, capable <strong>of</strong> producing from 100 to<br />
120 tons <strong>of</strong> pig iron per week, a 70-horsepower<br />
engine, two boilers, and all other<br />
needful apparatus. There is also a foundry<br />
connected with the great furnace producing<br />
castings for the rolling mills. The Company<br />
make their own castings for use, and can<br />
supply whatever may be in
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 69<br />
Vale <strong>of</strong> Cl wydd Colliery, though close to factory. To the south <strong>of</strong> the factory, on<br />
Lithgow, is shut out from it by a gentle the road towards Hartley, at the distance <strong>of</strong><br />
emirnmce. A sort <strong>of</strong> village, or rather a mile or so, and soon after you have passed<br />
hamlet, embosomecl in the hills and woods,<br />
has here sprung up, the miners' homes in<br />
the village near the station, there is a<br />
tannery.<br />
this spot being perhaps less comfortable than<br />
picturesque. Their habitations are for the Excursion from Lithgow to Hartley.-<br />
most part huts <strong>of</strong> mud or wood ; but some, A pleasant excursion may be made from<br />
manifesting an Arab-like independence, Lithgow to Hartley, either on horseback or<br />
apparently prefer to live in tents. In in a buggy; starting from Lithgow at an<br />
this colliery there is a perpendicular shaft<br />
sunk to about 250 feet below the surface ;<br />
and from this shaft there are long drives<br />
in various directions, the prevalence <strong>of</strong> water<br />
in one <strong>of</strong> them, which runs under a neighbouring<br />
swamp! being <strong>of</strong>ten rather troublesome<br />
early hour, and going round the mountain<br />
past Bowenfels. Bowenfels and Hartley, two<br />
small townships on the Old Western Road,<br />
are separated from the Lithgow Valley by a<br />
steep chain <strong>of</strong> sandstone hills, forming a<br />
spur or <strong>of</strong>f-shoot <strong>of</strong> the Blue Mountain<br />
to the engineer and inconvenient to the range to the west,vard. These eminences,<br />
miners. Good limestone is found with the on their southern face, terminate ahruptly<br />
coal, and is burned on the spot, for use and towards the Valley <strong>of</strong> Hartley, in boldly<br />
for sale. H ere also (as in the neighbourhood defiu ed precipices, which go by the fanciful<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mr. T. Brown's colliery) copper-smelting name <strong>of</strong> '' Hassan's Walls," and overhang<br />
works have been established. A tramway the road, south-easterly, to Hartley, for<br />
connects this colliery with the ,V estern several miles. The views from the summits<br />
R ailway.<br />
On the northern side <strong>of</strong> the R ail way, and<br />
connected ·with it by a branch line, is the<br />
<strong>of</strong> these grey masses <strong>of</strong> rock are said to<br />
be grand and extensive; and along the<br />
irregular line which they disclose and guard<br />
Bowenfels Coal-mine. This mine is the furthest<br />
are several cascades and almost inaccessibie<br />
west <strong>of</strong> the Lithgow Collieries, and is at glens, <strong>of</strong> more wildness perhaps than<br />
present least actively worked.<br />
beauty. From the heights <strong>of</strong> Hassan's<br />
About a mile or so from Lithgow, on the Walls the country in the direction <strong>of</strong><br />
other (western) side <strong>of</strong> the township, and Mudgee and <strong>of</strong> Bathurst is distinguishable<br />
not far from the Bowenfels Station, is a for a great distance. The tourist's road<br />
tweed factory, built by lVIr. Andrew Brown. from Lithgow lies first to the westward,<br />
In this long brick and stone building (which along the side <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Railway</strong>, for rather more<br />
contrasts curiously with lVIr. A. Brown's<br />
pretty rural homestead and gardens) about<br />
forty hands find constant and remunerative<br />
than a mile; he then turns sharply <strong>of</strong>f to<br />
the left (near the schoolhouse to tlte east <strong>of</strong><br />
Coerwull) aud so follows down the Old Road,<br />
employment. In the factory are twenty-four southerly, as far as Bowenfels, just round<br />
power looms, three sets <strong>of</strong> carding machines, the end <strong>of</strong> the mountain range. In this road<br />
and all the other requisite appliances, £18,000<br />
having been here invested in the best and<br />
there is much agreeable scenery-first, the<br />
tweed factory, away in the fields, with l\Ir.<br />
most recently devised machinery. 4,000 A. Brown's horn,e and gardens ; then a<br />
yards <strong>of</strong> good tweed are here manufactured<br />
every week, the beautiful fabric so made<br />
finding a ready sale at Sydney and in the<br />
tannery, a good country-house, and an old<br />
road-side inn; then a quaint old church and<br />
churchyard; and last, not least, a lock-up.<br />
adjacent Colonies, where (for the integrity <strong>of</strong> This is Bowenfels. On gaining the elevated<br />
its workmanship) it is justly esteemed. The ground to the west <strong>of</strong> the end <strong>of</strong> the sandstone<br />
wool used is <strong>of</strong> course Colonial-brought<br />
range a fine view <strong>of</strong> the Hartley<br />
from the interior to this spot by the Railroad, Valley is obbined. When you get round<br />
and here prepared for use. The machinery into Bowenfels another and more extensive<br />
is driven by steam power. Cottages have view is opened up to the south-east-looking<br />
been erected for the workpeople, <strong>of</strong> whom clown towards the Victoria Pass. The now<br />
forty are employed, near to the walls <strong>of</strong> the somewhat decayecl village <strong>of</strong> Bowenfels has
70 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
still many large houses in it, and is a cheerful,<br />
healthy, and pleasantly situated spot.<br />
By a turn in the road, soon after leaving it<br />
en route for Hartley, you come full in sight<br />
<strong>of</strong> Hassan's Walls, at an end <strong>of</strong> which (to<br />
the southward) towers a curiously isolated<br />
rock, presenting a singularly exact facial<br />
outline peculiar to the " Great Iron Duke,"<br />
but loyally and rather absurdly called " King<br />
George's Head"-being probably one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
discoveries <strong>of</strong> the Georgian era. Some <strong>of</strong><br />
the distant country <strong>of</strong> the Great Cunimbla<br />
Valley may now be perceived as you come<br />
clown the winding road ; where, ii1. many <strong>of</strong><br />
its essential features <strong>of</strong> copse, headland, and<br />
streamlet there is a great resemblance to the<br />
scenery <strong>of</strong> South Devon in England. The<br />
road itself is pretty, and along it are poor<br />
but picturesque homesteads-such as cottages<br />
and gardens, old inns with oak-trees, and<br />
other attractive features-until you reach<br />
the end <strong>of</strong> the wall <strong>of</strong> cliffs already mentioned.<br />
Then there is a dull mile or two<br />
before you come to the edge <strong>of</strong> the deep<br />
descent into Hartley, standing on the rocky<br />
banks <strong>of</strong> the murmuring Lett, about a mile<br />
or so above the point where it falls into the<br />
river Cox, draining the whole region from<br />
beyond Bowenfels, until it :finally falls into<br />
the W ollondilly. At the foot <strong>of</strong> the last hill<br />
you pass over the Lett by a very fair wooden<br />
bridge, and so, entering Hartley, you :find it<br />
a quaint old-fashioned place. Here you can<br />
put up at the village inn, and either return<br />
by the road you came, or ( sending back the<br />
horse or trap) regain the line by walking on<br />
to Mount Victoria ; or you may ride across<br />
the mountain to the north, over the "Gap,"<br />
and so back again into Lithgow. For an<br />
invalid or an over-wrought jaded man there<br />
can be few more acceptable retreats than<br />
Hartley. It has two pretty stone churches,<br />
a Uourt-house, and a store or two; but it is<br />
quite a rural village. The distance from<br />
Lithgow to Hartley, as above indicated, is<br />
about 10 miles. Across the mountain, by<br />
the new road over the "Gap," it is not more<br />
th::m 6.<br />
Bowenfels Station, 97 miles ; 2,972<br />
feet above sea-level.-Bowenfels station-<br />
3 or 4 mile north <strong>of</strong> the town <strong>of</strong> Bowen£ els,<br />
and 1 mile north-west <strong>of</strong> Lithgow-is by no<br />
means a large place, the majority <strong>of</strong> the<br />
houses being at Cooerwull, a short dist11nce<br />
from the line. The district is agricultural,<br />
pastoral, and mining. The surrounding<br />
country is mountainous and well wooded.<br />
Between this place and the next <strong>Railway</strong><br />
Station--Wallerawang to the north-westthere<br />
is a rather dreary track, with tunnels<br />
and cuttings.<br />
Marangaroo Platform, 101 miles;<br />
3,073 feet above sea-level.-Marangaroo<br />
is a platform, 4 miles west <strong>of</strong> Bowenfels<br />
Station and 4 miles east <strong>of</strong> W allerawang.<br />
It is one <strong>of</strong> the most elevated spots between<br />
the Great Zigzag and Bathurst. A short<br />
distance beyond the platform the train passes<br />
through Marangaroo platform, 264 yards in<br />
length.<br />
Wallerawang Station, 105 miles; 2,928<br />
feet above sea-level.-Wallerawang is a<br />
small but busy place, being the spot where<br />
the line to Mudgee joins the Great Western<br />
line. Wallerawang has a small street, with<br />
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian,<br />
and Wesleyan places <strong>of</strong> worship-and a<br />
Public School, capable <strong>of</strong> holding 120 children.<br />
The Inns are-the "Royal Hotel,"<br />
the "Commercial Hotel," and the "<strong>Railway</strong><br />
Inn." 7 miles from W allera wang is W olgon,<br />
a sunken valley, which is very beautiful, and<br />
well worth a visit. The district is principally<br />
agricultural, although it possesses mineral<br />
resources which only need developing.<br />
Rydal Station, 111 miles; 3,117 feet<br />
above sea-level.-Returning to the Main<br />
Western line, soon after passing Wallerawang<br />
the line trends sharply to the south-west, and,<br />
rising to a somewhat higher level; passes to<br />
the eastward <strong>of</strong> Honeysuckle Hill. Before<br />
the line takes its southerly turn the road to<br />
Ry ls tone (which has been running near to<br />
the rails) branches <strong>of</strong>f to the northward.<br />
Rydal is but a small place, with a quaintlooking<br />
stone church and three inns. These<br />
inns are th~ "Globe Hotel," the " .Freemasons'<br />
Hotel," and the "Commercial Hotel."<br />
Country adjacent-agricultural and pastoral;<br />
ruggedmountainscenery,andheavilytimbe~·ed.<br />
Near Rydal, on the southern side <strong>of</strong> the lme,<br />
is the extraordinary rock known as "Evans'
ITINERA.RY-PA.RRA.MA.TTA. TO BOURKE. 71<br />
Crown." Within the last few years a great<br />
impetus has been given to the trade <strong>of</strong> Rydal<br />
by the discovery <strong>of</strong> the rich silver mines at<br />
Sunny Corner (Mitchell) 15 miles from the<br />
Station. A. large population bas already been<br />
gathered to the vicinity, and the field promises<br />
to last for many years giving large<br />
returns.<br />
Sod walls Platform, 114 miles; 2,850<br />
feet above sea-level.-A.fter passing Rydal<br />
the line begins to descend, and continues to<br />
do so, following the winding valley <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Fish River, towards Bathurst. The country<br />
adjoining the Sodwalls Platform is <strong>of</strong> an<br />
agricultural character, with farms and some<br />
sort <strong>of</strong> cultivation ;-rather pretty. The<br />
traveller has now left the County <strong>of</strong> Cook,<br />
and is pushing on, westerly, through the<br />
County <strong>of</strong> Westmoreland. It is hereabouts<br />
that he catches the first glimpse <strong>of</strong> the Fish<br />
River-a stream which he has to cross nineteen<br />
times before he finally leaves it, not far<br />
from Macquarie Plains. The Fish River<br />
having joined the Campbell River, a few<br />
miles south <strong>of</strong> Bathurst, becomes thenceforth<br />
known as "Macquarie," the native name <strong>of</strong><br />
which is "Wambool." The Macquarie is an<br />
affluent <strong>of</strong> the Darling.<br />
Tarana Station, 120 miles; 2,561 feet<br />
above sea-level.-At Tarana Station there<br />
is a watering-place for the engines. It is a<br />
pretty place, but dull. The country round<br />
about is partly used for agricultural and<br />
pastoral purposes. In the Isabella District,<br />
50 miles away, a large quantity <strong>of</strong> tobacco is<br />
grown. There is one hotel at Tarana<br />
Fa wcett' s. Here you can get a carriage or<br />
buggy and go to Mutton Falls, westerly,<br />
about 4 miles <strong>of</strong>f. From the Mutton Falls<br />
you can ride or drive to a small township<br />
called Oberon-agoodagricultural settlement,<br />
with mineral resources-and go on thence to<br />
the Fish River Caves. Tarana, 35 miles<br />
from the Fish River Caves, is the most convenient<br />
point <strong>of</strong> the line to those vast<br />
limestone caverns. There is some nice<br />
scenery along the road in that direction.<br />
The Fish River Caves.-The celebrated<br />
limestone caverns on the Fish River (near<br />
O'Connell in the neighbourhood <strong>of</strong> Bathurst),<br />
commonly known as the Fish River Caves,<br />
are <strong>of</strong> vast extent, and singularly attractive;<br />
having a great variety <strong>of</strong> very intricate<br />
galleries or passages, only to be traversed<br />
safely under the care <strong>of</strong> the experienced local<br />
guide employed by the Government. The<br />
subterraneous scenes herein disclosed are<br />
indeed magnificent-well worth the time and<br />
trouble <strong>of</strong> paying them a visit. There is a<br />
whole group <strong>of</strong> these grand subterraneous<br />
halls and bewildering galleries, and each one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the series is known by a different name;<br />
the New Cave, Lucas Cave, the Bell Cave,<br />
the Lurline Cave, the Imperial Cave, the<br />
Elder-tree Cave, &c. Several oqiects <strong>of</strong> great<br />
interest are to be viewed at and in the Fish<br />
River Caves; and amongst these are the<br />
Great Archway, the Carlotta Arch, the<br />
Meeting <strong>of</strong> the Creeks, the Pinnade Rock,<br />
the interiors, the outside entrances, the<br />
waterfall, and adjacent woodland scenes.<br />
The Carlotta Arch-a curious natural archway<br />
in the rocks--excites much astonishment<br />
and admiration. These caves, so remarkable<br />
for their stalactitic and stalagmiticformations,<br />
are <strong>of</strong> such an immense 8xtent that whole<br />
days are necessary for their due exploration.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> these enormous caverns is estimated<br />
to be not less than 500 feet in height,<br />
and <strong>of</strong> a proportionate length and breadth.<br />
The strange forms gradually assumed by<br />
the drippings <strong>of</strong> the limestone rocks throughout<br />
are almost infinite, and not to be anywhere<br />
else surpassed in beauty. In one<br />
place there is tbe weird, rock-like semblance<br />
<strong>of</strong> a well-stocked menagerie; and in another<br />
place the pendants from the ro<strong>of</strong> and slabs<br />
below are <strong>of</strong> a still more fantastic and<br />
extraordinary character. ,vhen lighted up<br />
with the magnesium wire these sublime<br />
palaces, "which Nature's hands have deftly<br />
formed," present a truly gorgeous spectacle,<br />
being filled with delicate pendants and<br />
drooping sprays, gigantic columns and<br />
shadowy arches-all resplendent with<br />
dazzling, illusive gems. In the "New Cave"<br />
the scene developed by the magnesium light<br />
is described (by Burton) as "one <strong>of</strong> surpassing<br />
loveliness," the appearance <strong>of</strong> a heavy fall <strong>of</strong><br />
snow being produced; the rocks in the rear<br />
presenting to the imagination a black, frowning<br />
sky. Occasionally a sparkling waterfall<br />
heightens the effect <strong>of</strong> the scene. The caves
72 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
are in the charge <strong>of</strong> Mr. Jeremiah Wilson,<br />
who receives remuneration from the Government.<br />
It was found desirable to place<br />
them under control, as visitors <strong>of</strong>ten committed<br />
ruthless destruction. The Government<br />
has had constructed a number <strong>of</strong> wire<br />
ladders for the convenience <strong>of</strong> . visitors in<br />
ascending and dey letter) Mr. Wilson will meet a party at<br />
Tarana with horses or a waggonette. It will<br />
greatly lessen the fatigue <strong>of</strong> the journey from<br />
Tarana to the Fish River Caves and increase<br />
the comfort <strong>of</strong> the tourists if the party <strong>of</strong><br />
excursionists stop for the night en route,<br />
either at Mr. \Vilson's house, at Oberon, or<br />
at one <strong>of</strong> the two hotels, Yiz., the " Royal"<br />
and" W elcome Inn."<br />
A fuller description <strong>of</strong> the caves, contributed<br />
by C. S. Wilkinson, Government Geological<br />
Surveyor, will be found in the Appendix.<br />
Locksley's Platform, 130 miles; 2,428<br />
feet above sea-level.-The country in the<br />
neighbourhood <strong>of</strong> Locksley Platform is on<br />
the whole not interesting, hut there are<br />
views on the line near it not unworthy <strong>of</strong><br />
some notice. This platfor m was formerly<br />
known as L ocke's.<br />
Brewongle, 135 miles; 2,476 feet<br />
above sea-level.- Leaving Locke's P latform<br />
behind him to the eastward, the railway<br />
traYeller passes through an open treeless<br />
country, having only here and there a few<br />
patches <strong>of</strong> bush. Then undulating plains,<br />
with sheep and cattle feeding, are opened<br />
up ; and so the traveller, after an interval<br />
<strong>of</strong> 5 miles, finds himself opposite to the<br />
well-built station <strong>of</strong> Brewongle-being<br />
on the easterly boundary <strong>of</strong> that singular<br />
tract <strong>of</strong> country adjoining Bathurst, and<br />
giving to that city one <strong>of</strong> its distinctive<br />
appellations. A good deal <strong>of</strong> wheat is grown<br />
in the vicinity <strong>of</strong> Brewongle. The district<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers good shooting to sportsmen ; hares<br />
are very numerous, and excellent sport can<br />
be had at but a little distance from the<br />
station. Brewongle receives traffic for<br />
O'Connell, a township with a population <strong>of</strong><br />
about 200, 3 miles distant, and for Wiseman's<br />
Creek, 7 miles, where a copper-mine<br />
is worked. Tobacco is also cultivated in the<br />
district. ·<br />
Raglan Station, 140 miles; 2,436 feet<br />
above sea-level-Raglan is a station in the<br />
midst <strong>of</strong> the Macquarie Plains, where a road<br />
from the north <strong>of</strong> that tract joins on to the<br />
Old -western Road. Here you first catch a<br />
distant but impressive view <strong>of</strong> the city <strong>of</strong><br />
Bathurst, to the westward. At Raglan there<br />
is an Anglican Church and a Public School.<br />
Kelso Station, 143 miles; 2,154 feet<br />
above sea-level.-Kelso Station is the<br />
stopping-place on the <strong>Railway</strong> for Kelso, a<br />
populous suburb <strong>of</strong> Bathurst, on the eastern<br />
side <strong>of</strong> the Fish River, or (:ts it is here<br />
called) the "Macquarie." The Bathurst city<br />
station is 2 miles distant to the southwestward.<br />
Bathurst Station, 145 miles ; 2,153<br />
feet above sea-level.-Bathurst, the "City<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Plains" and metropolis <strong>of</strong> the western<br />
geographical di \-ision <strong>of</strong> the Colony, is<br />
situated on the left bank <strong>of</strong> the Macquarie<br />
River, 145 miles from Sydney. Originally<br />
founded by Governor Macquarie, on 7th <strong>of</strong><br />
May, 1815, just after the discovery <strong>of</strong> the<br />
country beyond the Blue Mountains, it has<br />
gradually risen to its present position <strong>of</strong> great<br />
influence and established wealth. A whole<br />
book might be written about this city, but<br />
the description <strong>of</strong> it in an "itinerary" must<br />
necessarily be very brief; notwithstanding its<br />
political, social, and physical importance. A<br />
few miles before reaching Bathurst, the<br />
traveller cannot help being struck with the<br />
altered appearance <strong>of</strong> the country. I nstead<br />
<strong>of</strong> wooded mountains and ridges <strong>of</strong> sandstone,
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 73<br />
the eye rests everywhere on a fine open<br />
tract, about 12 miles square, almost devoid<br />
<strong>of</strong> trees, and covered with a rich soil. This<br />
treeless character becomes still more confirmed<br />
when the traveller passes the Brewongle<br />
Station, but the aspect <strong>of</strong> the<br />
country is undulating, and even hilly at<br />
times, though usually and familiarly spoken<br />
<strong>of</strong> as "plains." Bathurst occupies a commanding<br />
situation, on a gradual westward slope<br />
down to the Macquarie, with a beautiful and<br />
extensive prospect in every direction for miles<br />
around. Within comparatively a short distance<br />
<strong>of</strong> the city gold and copper mines are<br />
worked. The climate, like that <strong>of</strong> a town in<br />
England, is frequently very cold in the<br />
winter months, but extremely healthy and<br />
invigorating. In some respects Bathurst<br />
is entitled to be considered as nRxt in rank<br />
to the capital. It is laid out in blocks <strong>of</strong><br />
10 chains square, with many miles <strong>of</strong> streets<br />
99 feet wide lighted by gas; and it is the<br />
seat <strong>of</strong> a Bishopric, both in the Anglican<br />
and the Roman Catholic Churches. There<br />
are two Cathedrals, with colleges in connection<br />
with each <strong>of</strong> the largest communions,<br />
and a handsome Presbyterian Ohurch; also<br />
a Wesleyan Church, and other places <strong>of</strong><br />
worship. The Roman Catholic Cathedral,<br />
although not quite completed, is a noble<br />
structure, and near it stands the convent<br />
and its school, in buildings <strong>of</strong> an imposing<br />
appearance. There is a School <strong>of</strong> Arts, with<br />
4,000 volumes, a fine Hall, excellent stores,<br />
banks, and hotels ; local newspapers are<br />
here published, as at n.11 the principal inland<br />
towns. The annual receipts <strong>of</strong> the Bathurst<br />
Hospital amount, it is said, to over £500.<br />
Bathurst also possesses a large gaol and a<br />
splendid range <strong>of</strong> Government buildings, Post<br />
and Telegraph Office, &c., which are probably<br />
tho best out <strong>of</strong> Sydney. Bathurst enjoys<br />
the advantage <strong>of</strong> a great variety <strong>of</strong> local<br />
institutions, and was proclaimed a munici-.<br />
pality in 1862. The population <strong>of</strong> Bathurst<br />
and its environs is now 7,500. At the<br />
Bathurst Station (on the south side <strong>of</strong> the<br />
city) there is a large and convenient refreshment-room<br />
for the use <strong>of</strong> travellers. Persons<br />
intending either to go inland towards Orange,<br />
or "up" the line, towards Mount Victoria,<br />
will do well to remember this. The places<br />
near Bathurst are-Black Springs, Box<br />
Ridge, Caloola, Cow Flat, Dirty Swamp,<br />
Dunkeld, Duramana ( or Back Creek), Evan's<br />
Plains, Glanmire, The Lagoons, Lirnekilns,<br />
Meadow :Flat, Mitchell's Creek, Oberon,<br />
O'Connell, Palmer's Oakey, Peel, Quartz<br />
Ridge, Rockley, S<strong>of</strong>ala, Trunkey, Turon, and<br />
.Wattle Flat. Coaches run from Bathurst to<br />
S<strong>of</strong>ala, Hill End, and districts.<br />
Perth Platform, 149 miles ; 2,225 feet<br />
above sea-level.-The platform <strong>of</strong> Perth,<br />
4 miles from Bathurst, presents nothing<br />
remarkable. The adjacent country is <strong>of</strong> an<br />
open character, with peculiar-looking bare<br />
hills beyond it. Between Bathurst and Perth<br />
several country residences and farms are<br />
passed.<br />
George's Plains Station, 151 miles;<br />
2,260 feet above sea-level.-There is some<br />
fine scenery, with a wide stretch <strong>of</strong> arable<br />
country, lying between Perth Platform and<br />
the George's Plains Station, a distance <strong>of</strong><br />
about 2 miles. The Station is the centre <strong>of</strong><br />
an extensive agricultural district, and a large<br />
traffic is done. 6 miles from the station are<br />
the Cow Flat Copper Mines, and 13 miles the<br />
Thompson's Creek or Burraga Mines. Burraga<br />
is an extensive and rich mineral district, •<br />
and gives employment to a considerable<br />
nnmber <strong>of</strong> men.<br />
Wimbledon Platform, 158 miles; 2,737<br />
feet above sea-level.-The Wimbledon<br />
Platform is a convenient stopping-place for<br />
tl1e inhabitants <strong>of</strong> an extensive tract <strong>of</strong><br />
agricultural country, 34 miles from Orange<br />
and 13 from Bathurst. Near Wimbledon is<br />
the fine country residence <strong>of</strong> Mr. Joseph<br />
Smith.<br />
Newbridge Platform, 164 miles; 2,877<br />
feet above sea-level.-:N' ewbri
74 THE RAILWAY GUIDE . .<br />
tract <strong>of</strong> cultivated country. Near the Trunkey<br />
Creek Diggings are the Pine Ridge and<br />
the Grove Caves, &c. There is a fine and<br />
comprehensive view over the whole country<br />
to the north-east, a mile or two to the westward<br />
<strong>of</strong> the N ewbridge Platform-on the<br />
line towards Blayney, at the Stringy-bark<br />
Cuttings. Newbridge was formerly known<br />
as Back Creek. The name by which it is<br />
known in the Post Office Directory is the<br />
aboriginal name <strong>of</strong> Duramana. The roads<br />
lead south by the shortest way to Caloola,<br />
where alluvial gold is still being worked, to<br />
Tuena, and to Trunkey, at one time the scene<br />
<strong>of</strong> great activity in quartz-mining. Quantities<br />
<strong>of</strong> wool and live stock also arrive at the<br />
station from the surrounding districts, so<br />
that N ewbridge is likely to become a very<br />
important position in connection with the<br />
traffic on the Great Western <strong>Railway</strong>. An<br />
iron mine has been opened within 300 yards<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Railway</strong> Station. A deposit <strong>of</strong> asbestos<br />
has been discovered about 2 miles away.<br />
Blayney Station, 172 miles ; 2,841 feet<br />
above sea-level.-Blayney is one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
new and rising townships owing its prosperity<br />
like Lithgow, to the <strong>Railway</strong>. It is quite a<br />
new place, and promises soon to be a large<br />
town ; for it is the centre <strong>of</strong> a great squatting<br />
district, and is closely connected with mining<br />
interests, while in the surrounding districts<br />
large quantities <strong>of</strong> wheat are grown. The<br />
town possesses four churches, two flour-mills,<br />
a brewery, Court-house, and handsome Post<br />
and Telegraph Office. The principal hotels<br />
are the "Royal," "Club House," "Albion,"<br />
"Cosmopolitan," "Commercial," "Exchange,"<br />
and ''Criterion." Blayney stands on the Belubula<br />
River, 8 miles from the junction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
roads from Calder and ·Grenfell. From this<br />
station fat stock are sent "up" by the trains,<br />
in large numbers for the Sydney Market.<br />
There are churches for the Anglicans and<br />
Presbyterians; and a Roman Catholic church<br />
is building on the right side <strong>of</strong> the line.<br />
There are also two large flour-mills at<br />
work. To the right, as the traveller goes<br />
towards Orange, there is (beyond Blayney) a<br />
curious conical hill. Coaches run from Blayney<br />
to Carcoar, Cowra, and Grenfell, and<br />
districts. Blayney will in a few years become<br />
a place <strong>of</strong> still greater importance, for it<br />
is from here that a <strong>Railway</strong>-line is being constructed<br />
to meet the Great Southern <strong>Railway</strong><br />
at Murrumburrah. In addition to this line,<br />
opening up much fertile country, and providing<br />
for many populous districts, it will afford<br />
travellers from the far Western to reach the<br />
Southern districts without the necessity <strong>of</strong><br />
first going to Sydney. It will also encourage<br />
~ommunication between Melbourne and the<br />
far distant Western districts, and no doubt<br />
when the line is constructed large numbers <strong>of</strong><br />
cattle will be sent from Dubbo, Bourke, and<br />
other pastoral centres to the Victorian capital.<br />
The construction <strong>of</strong> the line will shorten the<br />
rail journey between Melbourne and the<br />
western towns beyond Blayney to the extent<br />
<strong>of</strong> 375 miles.<br />
Milthorpe Station, 179 miles; 3,138<br />
feet above sea-level-This Station is the<br />
most elevated <strong>of</strong> any on the Main Line<br />
between Lithgow and the Western terminus.<br />
The country around is open bush land,<br />
and used for pastoral and agricultural purposes.<br />
Goods are received at Spring Grove<br />
for Icely, Byng, Gulgong, Forest Reefs,<br />
Cadia, &c. Spring Grove is in the centre <strong>of</strong><br />
a mining district, rich gold-mines being situated<br />
at Forest Reefs, 6 miles, and extensive<br />
copper-mines at Byng. A large flour-mill is<br />
noticeable after leaving the station.<br />
Spring Hill Station, 183 miles; 3,086<br />
feet above sea-level.-The country hereabouts<br />
is not very interesting. The land,<br />
divided by queer-looking fences, is used for<br />
agricultural and pastoral purposes.<br />
Huntley Platform, 186 miles; about<br />
3,000 feet above sea-level.-A small platform<br />
between the Spring Hill Station and<br />
Orange, about 6 miles from the latter township.<br />
BetweenHuntleyandOrangotheOrange<br />
Meat-preserving Company have established<br />
works. Large paddocks surround the works,<br />
in which the stock are kept till required.<br />
The machinery, refrigerators, &c., are <strong>of</strong> the<br />
latest and most approved kind. The works<br />
are divided into five chambers, capable <strong>of</strong><br />
holding some hundreds <strong>of</strong> sheep and cattle.<br />
The meat is dispatched by special trucks to<br />
Sydney, and loaded without delay into the<br />
refrigerating chambers <strong>of</strong> the steamers ap-
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 75<br />
pointed to receive it. A number <strong>of</strong> shipments<br />
<strong>of</strong> meat from this Company have been<br />
placed successfully on the London market.<br />
At the present time this industry is not in<br />
working.<br />
Orange Station, 192 miles ; 2,843 feet<br />
above sea-level.-Between Spring Hill<br />
and Orange the railway traveller will find<br />
arable land under cultivation on either side<br />
<strong>of</strong> the line. Orange is one <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
progressive towns <strong>of</strong> the Colony, remarkable,<br />
amongst other things, for the unusual<br />
excellence <strong>of</strong> its hotels, stores, and banks.<br />
It adjoins a fertile and wealthy district,<br />
and is the busy centre <strong>of</strong> a considerable<br />
amount <strong>of</strong> trade <strong>of</strong> all kinds, agricultural, pastoral,<br />
and mining. The manufactories include<br />
three breweries, three large flour-mills, sawmill,<br />
boot factory and tannery, brickworks,<br />
timber-yards, &c. The town is well laid<br />
out j the wide, well-built streets presenting<br />
an imposing and well nigh metropolitan<br />
appearance. The population by last Census<br />
was 2,700. Orange has a School <strong>of</strong> Arts, a<br />
Masonic Hall, a Hospital, Churches for the<br />
four chief Denominations, and other places<br />
<strong>of</strong> public worship. There are two large<br />
Schools, a commodious Court-house, and<br />
three local newspapers. The principal hotels<br />
are---The "Royal," the "Club-house Hotel,"<br />
the "Occidental Hotel,"and "Kenna's Hotel,"<br />
opposite to the <strong>Railway</strong> Station. Orange is<br />
in the centre <strong>of</strong> a large and rich auriferous<br />
di::;trict, and it was here ( at Ophir) the first gold<br />
was discovered in Australia. Ophir is still<br />
worked, and reefing is being carried on with<br />
considerable success in the fields around, viz.,<br />
at Belmore, Lucas Gully, Jaw-bone, Golden<br />
Point, Blacksprings, and at Lucknow. Orange<br />
is surrounded by a reliable agricultural district,<br />
rust being unknown, and even in the<br />
dry seasons the crops around Orange have<br />
not been affected as in many other parts <strong>of</strong><br />
the Colony. Orange is also the centre <strong>of</strong><br />
a large and important pastoral area, goods<br />
being received here for Parkes, Forbes, Condoholin,<br />
stations on the Lachlan, Cudal,<br />
Cargo, Cadia, &c. A large portion <strong>of</strong> this<br />
traffic will however be lost when the Rail way<br />
line to Forbes is constructed. Orange possesses<br />
a handsome <strong>Railway</strong> Station, the appearance<br />
<strong>of</strong> which is much enhanced by the well-kept<br />
garden, gay with flowers, immediately in<br />
front <strong>of</strong> the Station-house.<br />
For some time Orange was the terminal<br />
station for the Western line. In June,<br />
1880, the extension westward was opened to<br />
Wellington, and since then extensions have<br />
been opened to the '\V estern Terminus,<br />
Bourke. A railway has been approved <strong>of</strong><br />
by Parliament from Orange to Wilcannia, on<br />
the Darling, via Forbes.<br />
Extension, Orange to Molong.-The<br />
extension from Orange to Molong was<br />
opened at the close <strong>of</strong> last year (1885), and<br />
it has proved a great boon to the many<br />
settlers in and about the district. The<br />
extension joins the '\Vestern <strong>Railway</strong> two<br />
miles from Orange, and is about ~2 miles in<br />
length. The line passes through a country<br />
well watered by t,he Cheeseman's, Boree, and<br />
Molong Creeks, and the district is largely<br />
devoted to agriculture. The country is <strong>of</strong><br />
basaltic formation and the timber principally<br />
box. · There are stopping places between<br />
Orange and Molong at Amaros, Borenore,<br />
and Cargo Road, -provided for local traffic.<br />
Molong is a town <strong>of</strong> some importance, numbering<br />
over 1,000 inhabitants, and is a<br />
municipality. It possesses ample hotel accommodation<br />
and a considerable husincss is<br />
transacted. As the district is well settled<br />
principally by farmers, the crops grown<br />
being wheat-in connection with which there<br />
are two fiour mills-oats, maize, and Hay,<br />
while a large variety <strong>of</strong> fruits grow particularly<br />
well in the district, including grapes,<br />
cherries, apples, and plums. This place also<br />
possesses mineral resources, being the centre<br />
<strong>of</strong> a gold-field, and in addition silver has<br />
lately been discovered and copper. Splendid<br />
flagging is obtainable and abundance <strong>of</strong> lime.<br />
Molong being the terminns <strong>of</strong> the line<br />
receives a large quantity <strong>of</strong> goods. Forbes<br />
(partly), Parkes, Obley, Cummock, Buckinbar,<br />
Yarra Bell River, etc., drawing supplies<br />
frorn this station. The distri0t is not devoid<br />
<strong>of</strong> the picturesque. The country is billy, and<br />
some splendid views are to be had <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Conoblas and in the Continubul mountains.<br />
Mullion Creek, 203 miles : 2,827 feet<br />
above sea-level.-After leaving Orange a<br />
fair amount <strong>of</strong> cultivated land is seen on
76 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
each side <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Railway</strong>, but the greater<br />
portion <strong>of</strong> the country is devoted to pastoral<br />
purposes, grass being plentiful in good seasons.<br />
11 miles from Orange, Mullion Creek is<br />
reached, the line crossing the creek by a<br />
bridge <strong>of</strong> three 26-feet timber openings. The<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> between these two places is comparatively<br />
level, Mullion Creek being only<br />
16 feet lower than Orange. The only signs<br />
<strong>of</strong> population about Mullion Creek are the<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> Station buildings and a few scattered<br />
hamlets in the vicinity. The station<br />
only receives a small local traffic, principally<br />
agricultural.<br />
Warne, 217 miles : 2,072 feet above<br />
sea-level.-After leaving Mullion Creek the<br />
line commences to descend from the higher<br />
table-lands towards the lower interior plains,<br />
there being a fall <strong>of</strong> nearly 800 feet between<br />
Mullion Creek and Warne, a distance <strong>of</strong> 14<br />
miles. The cuttings between these two<br />
stations are both numerous and heavy, and<br />
some <strong>of</strong> the gra
ITINERARY-PARRAMATTA TO BOURKE. 77<br />
vicinity <strong>of</strong> Wellington there is much that<br />
is interesting and beautiful to be seen.<br />
There is first the celebrated Wellington<br />
Caves, 6 miles out on the Ironbarks Road.<br />
A writer in speaking <strong>of</strong> them says,-" The<br />
vVellington Caves have always had a large<br />
amount <strong>of</strong> interest attached to them, not<br />
only on account <strong>of</strong> their natural beauty and<br />
peculiarity, but because <strong>of</strong> the strange remains<br />
<strong>of</strong> a bygone time that every exploration <strong>of</strong><br />
their depths brings to light. Remains <strong>of</strong><br />
men have been found there, ::tnd strange tools<br />
and weapons; grotesque drawings, indicating<br />
a poetic conception and stirring times, tell <strong>of</strong><br />
a people who have passed away as entirely as<br />
has the time in which they lived. Save the<br />
deeply graven lines on the face <strong>of</strong> the rock,<br />
the strange and petrified forms <strong>of</strong> tools and<br />
utensils for household use, the footprints <strong>of</strong><br />
ages ago firmly fixed in a clay that has long<br />
since turned into rock, no record remains<br />
<strong>of</strong> the people or the period when the Wellington<br />
Caves were places <strong>of</strong> common resort,<br />
either for purposes <strong>of</strong> security or comfort."<br />
A little distance from Wellington the waters<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Bell and Macquarie unite, the place<br />
receiving the poetic name <strong>of</strong> the "Meeting<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Waters." Towering above the town<br />
is a majestic hill called Mount Arthur, from<br />
which a splendid view <strong>of</strong> the rivers is obtained,<br />
as they wind like streaks <strong>of</strong> silver over the<br />
plain. The scenery along the banks <strong>of</strong> the<br />
river is in places very pretty, and the rivers<br />
themselves furnish plenty <strong>of</strong> sport-the cod<br />
and silver bream, delicious fish, being caught.<br />
Wellington is also rich in minerals, and<br />
should ere long become a more important<br />
town. Copper is obtained here. A coal-field,<br />
the Belmore, is situated 15 miles away; and<br />
in the district are the gold-fields <strong>of</strong> vVoolaman,<br />
Goodrich, and Mitchell's Creek. Ample<br />
and good accommodation can be had here ;<br />
the principal hotels being the "Royal,"<br />
" Exchange," "Occidental," " Commercial,"<br />
"Bridge," "<strong>Railway</strong>," and "Telegraph."<br />
<strong>Railway</strong> refreshment-rooms have been esta:blished<br />
at Wellington, and as the train passes<br />
through at seasonable hours the refreshmentrooms<br />
prove a great convenience to travellers.<br />
Maryvale, 254 miles; 1,000 feet above<br />
sea-level.-A little distance beyond W ellington<br />
the <strong>Railway</strong> crosses the Macquarie, by<br />
a handsome iron bridge, <strong>of</strong> 3 spans <strong>of</strong> 150<br />
feet each and two <strong>of</strong> 60 feet each, with brick<br />
abutments, &c. The total length <strong>of</strong> the<br />
bridge is 648 feet. The height <strong>of</strong> the rails<br />
above the level <strong>of</strong> the river is 70 feet. It<br />
will be remembered that this is the second<br />
time the Macquarie is crossed by the <strong>Railway</strong>,<br />
and further west, at Dubbo, the line<br />
again crosses the su.me stream. In the<br />
vicinity <strong>of</strong> Wellington the land is largely<br />
under cultivation, a considerable quantity <strong>of</strong><br />
wheat and oats for hay being grown. Maryvale<br />
is in the centre <strong>of</strong> wide-stretching<br />
wheat-fields, and a large quantity <strong>of</strong> produce<br />
is annually sent from this platform. At 267<br />
miles there is another platform, Murrumbidgerie,<br />
from whence a large quantity <strong>of</strong><br />
timber-principally <strong>Railway</strong> sleepers, which<br />
are obtained in the vicinity-is despatched.<br />
Dubbo, 278 miles; 865 feet above sealevel.-The<br />
country between Maryvale and<br />
Dubbo is uninteresting, and is used almost<br />
entirely for pastoral purposes. The line<br />
between Wellington and Dubbo generally is<br />
level, although at one point there is for a<br />
short distance a gradient <strong>of</strong> 1 in 40. The<br />
sha1:pest curve is 40 chains radius. Dubbo<br />
is au important trucking place for cattle,<br />
and just before reaching the station the<br />
train passes extensive trucking yards. The<br />
town is situated on the edge <strong>of</strong> the salt-bush<br />
or pastoral country, and is the centre <strong>of</strong><br />
one <strong>of</strong> the richest mineral and pastoral<br />
districts <strong>of</strong> New South Wales. The population<br />
<strong>of</strong> the town, according to the Census <strong>of</strong><br />
1881, was 3,324, and <strong>of</strong> the surrounding<br />
district 12,000. Dubbo is, though one <strong>of</strong><br />
the most recent <strong>of</strong> the new townships which<br />
have sprung up during the last twenty years,<br />
op.e <strong>of</strong> the most flourishing. Its buildings<br />
are handsome and substantial. Some splendid<br />
stores are to be seen. In public buildings<br />
the most noticeable are the Church <strong>of</strong> England,<br />
Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan<br />
Churches. The first three are built <strong>of</strong> white<br />
sandstone, taken from the quanies at West<br />
Dubbo, 2 miles from the town. The supply<br />
<strong>of</strong> this stone is unlimited. The Government<br />
buildings-viz., the Court-house and<br />
Post Office-are soon to be replaced by str11ctures<br />
more in accordance with the present<br />
wants <strong>of</strong> the place. The <strong>Railway</strong> Station is
'<br />
78 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
an imposing building, erected in 1880. It is<br />
constructed <strong>of</strong> stone. There is a nice Stationhouse<br />
attached, around which a well<br />
arranged garden has been planted, in which<br />
the choicest plants and flowers are blooming<br />
in all seasons. The Masonic Halla<br />
roomy building-is also one <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
prominent edifices. It possesses a fine hall,<br />
a roomy stage, and besides there is one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the best lodge-rooms in the Colony.<br />
There are three Banks-Commercial, Joint<br />
Stock, and New South Wales. Dubbo is<br />
the circuit town for the whole north-west,<br />
as far on one side as the Queensland boundary,<br />
north and south-west. There is a firm<br />
wooden bridge spanning the Macquarie at<br />
Dubbo ; it is 300 feet long. About half-amile<br />
higher up the river, the <strong>Railway</strong> bridge<br />
( a very fine bridge) is in course <strong>of</strong> construction.<br />
The educational requirements <strong>of</strong> the<br />
town are well attended to. Besides private<br />
and denominational schools, there is a large<br />
public school with an average attendance <strong>of</strong><br />
about 400 pupils. The leading hotels are<br />
the "Royal," "Macquarie View," "Great<br />
Western," "Post Office," and "Imperial."<br />
The district in years past was principally a<br />
pastoral district, but within the last fifteen<br />
years a considerable quantity <strong>of</strong> land has<br />
been taken up for farming purposes. However,<br />
the soil seems best for the pursuits <strong>of</strong><br />
grazing and farming combined. The climate<br />
and soil are admirably adapted for the growth<br />
<strong>of</strong> the vine, and at two vineyards--Eumalgo,<br />
7 miles away, and Mount Olivet, 2 miles<br />
distant--some excellent wines are made.<br />
The Dubbo district is rich in minerals. 20<br />
miles, on the Tollragar or Erskine, is the<br />
Baltimore Coal-mine. A very rich seam <strong>of</strong><br />
excellent coal is being worked. About 25<br />
miles from the <strong>Railway</strong> siding at Tranjie, on<br />
the extension to N evertire, is the Caroline<br />
Copper-mine; and at Girilambone, 25 miles<br />
from Nyngan, is the Girilambone Mine.<br />
35 miles from Dubbo are the auriferous<br />
quartz-reefs <strong>of</strong> Tomingley. About a dozen<br />
claims are on gold, and the Mint returns<br />
are very promising. There are on the<br />
West Bogan, west <strong>of</strong> Tranjie and Nevertire,<br />
some as yet undeveloped copper-mines.<br />
The wool traffic is large-about 40,000<br />
bales being loaded at Dubbo. The whole<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Castlereagh traffic comes to Dubbo,<br />
and the <strong>Railway</strong> returns show that there has<br />
been a great revenue collected at this station.<br />
The towns which will make Dubbo their<br />
station are as follow :-Cobbora, Obley,<br />
Coonamble, Collie, Gilgandra, Garalgambone,<br />
M undooran, &c. Warren will be served by<br />
N evertire, and on the line is N arramine,<br />
which will be used by the middle Macquarie<br />
residents. Tranjie will serve the Upper<br />
Bogan inhabitants.<br />
Nyngan, 377 miles.-In October, 1882,<br />
an extension from Dubbo to Nevertire, 63<br />
miles, was opened, and on the 9th June, 1883,<br />
the line was completed to Nyngan. After<br />
leaving Dubbo the line runs over the Macquarie,<br />
which is crossed by a substantial iron<br />
bridge. Between this and N yngan no engineering<br />
difficulties have been met with, but<br />
numerous cuttings are passed through; from<br />
the largest <strong>of</strong> which, near 283 miles, 27,292<br />
loads <strong>of</strong> stuff were taken. A number <strong>of</strong><br />
creeks are crossed, timber openings allowing<br />
their waters to run under the line. The<br />
steepest gradient on the extension is 1 in 50,<br />
but this only occurs for a distance <strong>of</strong> 30<br />
chains. Generally the line is comparatively<br />
level ; the country for some 10 miles out <strong>of</strong><br />
Dubbo is fertile, but then poor land covered<br />
with stunted .pine and ironbark is passed<br />
through. At N arrarnine, 300 miles from<br />
Sydney (22 from Dubbo), the great western<br />
salt-bush plains are entered upon. The plains<br />
extend for miles, in many places devoid <strong>of</strong><br />
trees, or covered with small scrub, varied by<br />
occasional patches <strong>of</strong> myall. A platform is<br />
passed at Trangie, 320 miles, and at 34: 1<br />
miles N evertire is reached. There is no township<br />
at N evertire, the nearest place being<br />
W arren-11 miles <strong>of</strong>f-a pastoral centre with<br />
a population <strong>of</strong> 429 souls. The line between<br />
Nevertire and Nyngan is <strong>of</strong> a light character,<br />
being straight and almost level. The<br />
Western District is very rich in copper j<br />
some mines-the Great Cobar especiallyshowing<br />
ore in sight that will furnish<br />
employment to thousands <strong>of</strong> miners for years<br />
to come. This mine has led to the foundation<br />
<strong>of</strong> the town <strong>of</strong> Cobar, which contains<br />
some three or four thousand inhabitants.<br />
To provide for the trade <strong>of</strong> the district a<br />
railway has been approved <strong>of</strong> from N yngan,<br />
and no doubt before long it will be corn-<br />
,I<br />
,I
ITINERARY-WALLERAWANG TO MUDGEE. 79<br />
menced, as the working plans, &c., have been<br />
prepared, and only await the final approval<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Legislature.<br />
Giralam bone, 405 miles ; 637 feet<br />
above sea-level.-When the extension was<br />
opened to Byrock, in September, 1884, a<br />
wayside station was _openecl at Giralambone,<br />
around which some settlement had been<br />
gathered by the development <strong>of</strong> some copper<br />
rnine8 ; but at the present time the mines are<br />
not being worked. The station is now kept<br />
up by the produce from the sheep stations<br />
known as Murrawombri, Gradweed, Booramugga,<br />
Budgery, Sussex, and Wilga Downs,<br />
and the goods to these runs. The district is<br />
an uninteresting one being very sparsely<br />
settled, level, and used exclusively for pastoral<br />
purposes.<br />
Byrock, 455 miles ; 499 feet above<br />
sea-level.-Byrock is a town <strong>of</strong> mushroom<br />
growth called into existence by the opening<br />
<strong>of</strong> the railway to it in September, 1884, and<br />
judging by appearances does not seem destined<br />
to have a long life as its buildings have been<br />
designed apparently for merely temporary<br />
purposes. At present a fairly large number<br />
<strong>of</strong> cattle are trucked from here, coming via<br />
Brewarrina, and the station receives the Brewarrina<br />
goods; but an agitation has been set<br />
on foot to have a branch railway to this town<br />
from Byrock.<br />
Bourke, 503 miles; 349 feet above<br />
sea-level.-The Great Western <strong>Railway</strong> is<br />
an immense chain uniting Sydney and Bourke,<br />
and being in length 503 miles. Its links<br />
have taken many years to form, but the final<br />
one was completed in September, 1885, and<br />
the line was opened on the 3rd <strong>of</strong> that month<br />
to Bourke, the most important t.own in Central<br />
Australia. It lies on the River Darling,<br />
but it is only at uncertain periods that the<br />
river is navigable, and in times <strong>of</strong> drought the<br />
town has almost been reduced to famirie,<br />
stores being so scarce and transit so difficult;<br />
but the railway puts an end to all such contingencies,<br />
and the Bourke people are now<br />
brought within a day's journey <strong>of</strong> the metropolis.<br />
The town is not particularly picturesque,<br />
lying on a long flat stretching back<br />
from the river, but it is the centre <strong>of</strong> an<br />
immense district, and transacts a large business,<br />
and is every year rising into more<br />
importance. It is a municipality, proclaimed<br />
in 1878, and contains a population <strong>of</strong> 4,140.<br />
It <strong>of</strong>fers excellent hotel accommodation. The<br />
traffic from Bourke is entirely <strong>of</strong> a pastoral<br />
nature, wool and cattle being sent away in<br />
immense qnantities, as Bourke is the entrepot<br />
for a pastoral district that stretches through<br />
the heart <strong>of</strong> Australia away to the far north<br />
<strong>of</strong> Queensland ; and at times wool is brought<br />
by river to this station. At the present time<br />
Bourke is dependant for grains and greenstuffs<br />
upon the more favoured stations on the<br />
Western Line, such as Wellington or Orange,<br />
where wheat can be grown to advantage; but<br />
if a system <strong>of</strong> irrigation and water conservation<br />
can be perfected, as it is believed it can,<br />
it will add immeasurably to the wealth and<br />
productiveness <strong>of</strong> these western districts.<br />
IV.-EXTENSION WALLERAWANG TO MUDGEE.<br />
THE history <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Railway</strong> Extension to<br />
Mudgee shows a splendid pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> the success<br />
o~ persistency. For many years this extens10n<br />
was fought for determinedly by the<br />
Mudgee people ; but various Governments,<br />
deterred by the heavy estimates given<br />
as to the cost <strong>of</strong> the line, and the dim<br />
prospect <strong>of</strong> a remunerative return, would not<br />
for a long time listen to the appeals <strong>of</strong> those<br />
interested, until at last one Ministry, seeing<br />
beyond the mountain barrier a wealthy land<br />
<strong>of</strong> promise and the opening up and development<br />
<strong>of</strong> mineral resources and wide areas <strong>of</strong><br />
land, determined to propose the line, a proposition<br />
which met with the approval <strong>of</strong> the<br />
then Parliament. Accordingly the line was<br />
proceeded with, and in September, 1884, the<br />
Mudgee people heard the whistle <strong>of</strong> the iron<br />
horse as it gaily made its way across the<br />
plains bordering the quiet Cudgegong. The<br />
line starts from W allerawang, which long<br />
enjoyed a greater share <strong>of</strong> prosperity by
80 THE RAILWAY GUIDE.<br />
reason <strong>of</strong> its position as the junction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Mudgee road with the ·western <strong>Railway</strong>.<br />
Piper's Flat, 110 miles; 3,187 feet<br />
above sea-level.-The line runs north-west<br />
from Wallerawang outwards to Piper's Flat,<br />
the first station j the country is uninteresting,<br />
the land being poor and timbered with stunted<br />
specimens <strong>of</strong> white gum. The station is kept<br />
busy only by the mineral traffic, the W allerawang<br />
Compa.ny's Coal-mine being in the<br />
vicinity, which, in 1884, had a contract to<br />
supply the Government with some 75,000<br />
tons coal at the remarkably low rate <strong>of</strong> 5s.<br />
per ton. The district is essentially a mining<br />
one, near the station coal is in abundance,<br />
and spread over the locality are extensive<br />
deposits <strong>of</strong> lime, which is principally shipped<br />
from the next platform, Ben Bullen, at 121<br />
miles.<br />
Capertee, 127 miles; 2,739 feet above<br />
sea-level.-The line from Ben Bullen to<br />
Capertee is uninteresting until within a short<br />
distance <strong>of</strong> Capertee, when, after emerging<br />
from the darkness <strong>of</strong> the Capertee tunnel,<br />
the traveller sees spread before him a glorious<br />
panoramic view <strong>of</strong> Capertee Valley. The<br />
railway skirts round its edges, and down<br />
below him extends the valley, its uneven and<br />
thickly timbered irnrface heaving, it would<br />
appear, like mighty waves. Far back stands<br />
a frowning battlement <strong>of</strong> dark bold rocks<br />
forming a head and crown to the body <strong>of</strong><br />
the valley below, these cliffs wonderfully<br />
square and regular being aptly termed the<br />
Crown Ridge. The train in the fall <strong>of</strong><br />
the year clears this spot towards sunset,<br />
and the long golden sunbeams <strong>of</strong> the evening<br />
as they gleam across the waving tree-tops<br />
in the valley, light up this cro"\'·n with a<br />
golden refulgence <strong>of</strong> light smoothing down<br />
its forbidding sternness and setting gems<br />
over its rocky face. The railway runs round<br />
this valley for some distance on its way to<br />
Rylstone, and between the steep cuttings<br />
a fair vista <strong>of</strong> this picturesque valley is every<br />
now and again seen. The valley contains<br />
good timber j but <strong>of</strong> course the difficulty <strong>of</strong><br />
transit militates against any use being made<br />
<strong>of</strong> the forests. Good sporting is to be bad<br />
in among the tall grey-gums, game being<br />
plentiful in the valley, and the kangaroos are<br />
as thick as sheep on a good run. Capertee<br />
cannot be called a thriving place j it boasts<br />
<strong>of</strong> one inn and occasionally sends a little<br />
traffic over towards the Turon (14 miles),<br />
where some gold seekers are working.<br />
Ilford, 149 miles; 2,450 feet above<br />
sea-level.-Between Ilford and Capertee<br />
the line runs for some distance as already<br />
mentioned along the head <strong>of</strong> the Capertee<br />
Valley, the line crawling as it were along the<br />
side <strong>of</strong> the cliffs that drop down into the<br />
valley. The cuttings are both numerous and<br />
extensive, and at times an uneasy feeling<br />
creeps over the traveller, that one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
overhanging rocks above him will fall acrmm<br />
the ironway. The nature <strong>of</strong> the country at<br />
this place is that known as "rotten," and in<br />
order to make traffic secure, and to prevent<br />
the probability <strong>of</strong> danger, the trains always<br />
run through in the day light. The scenery is<br />
bold and striking, the mountains towering<br />
hundreds <strong>of</strong> feet overhead and the passing<br />
views are sufficiently varied to show a long<br />
succession <strong>of</strong> panoramic Yiews as the trains<br />
sped onwards.<br />
Rylstone, 158 miles; 1,993 feet above<br />
sea-level.-From Ilford the line becomes<br />
more even and the country better grassed,<br />