Day: June 10, 2018

• Come and see Central NSW

  Central NSW is a unique region where you will find a wealth of history and experiences that would cater for everyone. Food and wine, culture, nature, heritage is just a few things to be found when you cross the Blue Mountains.  The region is can be found two and a half hours drive from Sydney and includes areas of Blayney, Cowra, Mid Western, Cabonne, Bathurst, Forbes Orange, Lachlan and Wellington.
  

  Things to see and do

  Visit Capertee Valley

  Capertee Valley is the world’s second largest canyon and is surrounded by the World Heritage listed wilderness of the Blue Mountains.  Climb to the peak at Patoney’s Crown and be rewarded by an uninterrupted view of the gorgeous valley beneath, canyons that were shaped over millions of years and the abundance of flora and fauna carving the natural landscape.

  

  See historic Blayney and surrounding villages

  Blayney and the surrounding villages is situated in the Orange region of Central NSW, it provides a great opportunity to discover the Orange wine region best known for fresh produce and production of local wine.  The surrounding villages include Carcoar, Barry, Mandurama, Lyndhurst and Neville where you can expect to experience colonial architecture and historic pubs serving fine country meals or simply enjoy the antique shops and galleries it offers.

  

  Visit the grave of a bushranger

  Australia’s first gold rush was discovered in the Central West, learn about the history and experience panning, prospecting and the Gold Trails.  Visit the grave of infamous bushranger Ben Hall and the site of where he died in Forbes.  He was responsible for Australia’s largest gold robbery, stealing 77 kilograms of gold.

  

  Explore limestone caves

  Take in the natural structures of limestone caves at Abercrombie Caves located near Bathurst and the Wellington Caves outside of Mudgee.  Spend a night in a cave at Hatter’s Hideout and experience what it was like for bushranger Ben Hall who chose to hideout in a cave.

  

  Experience picturesque Cowra

  In Cowra you will find the Cowra Japanese Gardens classified by the National Trust as ‘A place of Significant Cultural, Architectural and Historic Significance.’  It is the largest in the southern hemisphere and was built because of the unique relationship between Cowra and Japan that began in 1944 when a thousand Japanese prisoners of war escaped from prison camp. Over two hundred Japanese soldiers died during the escape and were buried nearby, local members of the RSL tended their graves, and mutual respect grew over the years which led to the creation of the garden.

  

  For more information on visiting Central NSW, visit https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw