The last day of our long weekend trip to the Blue Mountains. This was mainly a return route along the ‘Bells Line of Road’ on the north side of the National Park.
In 1823 Archibald Bell, with the help of Aboriginal guides, surveyed a route across the northern Blue Mountains. This would become the Bells Line of Road.
Pulpit Rock – Mount Victoria
Before our return journey we made a quick return to Mount Victoria and the Pulpit Rock lookout. The Great Western Highway snakes through the mountains so there are so many different angles and perspectives from which to view the scenery. This was another good one.
Botanic Garden
Despite the outstanding natural beauty of this whole area there is also a stunning botanic garden half way along the Bells Line of Road between Lithgow and Richmond, near Mount Tomah.
The land was acquired in 1934 by French-born horticulturist Alfred Brunet and his Australian wife Effie. They operated a flower farm to supply florists in Sydney. The Brunets wanted to donate their land in Mount Tomah to the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney to form a new annex of the Garden. They formally presented the land for the Botanic Garden in 1972. The Garden opened to the public in November 1987. Today, The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden includes 186 hectares of sandstone woodland and gullies to be maintained as a conservation area for plants from all over the world.
Quick Stops – The Walls to Kurrajong
The traffic was getting heavy but we managed to make a few quick stops on our return home. First was the Walls Lookout. This part f the mountain range is one of the most spectacular although (as is often the way in such cases) not easy to get to. At least with a six year old. The sheer steep cliffs form an impressive line of “walls” – I guess that’s why it is so called.
Next we stopped at the apple orchards in Bilpin where you can pick your own. It is just about the end of season now so the pickings were thin to say the least but we still managed to get 3 kilos of Pink Lady apples. Time to learn how to make something that will keep, using those apples?
From there we continued on to the lovely village of Kurrajong. A very tranquil spot for a bit of lunch. This place caught my eye because of the funny sign. So in we went…
Despite the amount of traffic on the main road this village was fairly quiet. The problem was however the same as everywhere else. Not all places have reopened to the public yet.
The last leg home…
From Kurrajong we headed off the main road toward Wilberforce where there is one of those ‘living museums’. Basically an old pioneer town showing you how people used to live. Another one that was still closed! But definitely one for the future…
From Wilberforce it was a short drive along the Hawkesbury river bank to the small town of Windsor. The town is said to contain some of the oldest buildings in Australia. It was only a quick stop but we saw enough to know that the area warrants further exploration. By now the driver was tired and there was possibly less than two hours of daylight left. So we just went home…
Awwwwh so lovely seeing Dan, hes growing up so quick..
Looks like your setting down in Oz.. would love to go one day..
Sending love x
Thanks Jan. Yes that Blue Mountains area is one of the best places I have ever visited – and I have been to a fair few.
Dani has settled in really well. Much easier at that age of course. I am sure that flights and travel to Oz will resume again for summer (winter in the northern hemisphere). Start saving….