Driving the Great Western Highway between Sydney and Lithgow and have a few lazy hours up your sleeve for a bit of relaxation, dining or just soaking up the attractions? Well, here’s a list of 10 places — not necessarily the main tourist spots — certainly worth stopping at.
1. Penrith Regional Gallery — 86 River Road, Emu Plains
This occupies the former, quite beautiful home of sculptor Gerald Lewers and painter Margot Lewers and sits on the western bank of the Nepean River not long before the highway begins its twists and turns up the mountains. You’ll easily spend a couple of hours browsing exhibitions, strolling gardens, soaking up the architecture and sipping coffee in the café.
Phone 4735 1100 or visit http://www.penrithregionalgallery.org
2. Lennox Bridge — Mitchells Pass, Blaxland
This sandstone structure was opened in 1833 and remained on the main route west of Sydney until the 1920s. It’s reputed to be the Australian mainland’s oldest surviving stone-arch bridge, and is well worth the drive of a few minutes from the highway to view a piece of the country’s engineering history. Its surrounds, by a stony creek, would make a great picnic spot.
3. Corridor of Oaks — Jackson Park, Sir Henry’s Parade, Faulconbridge
Longstanding local MLA Joseph Jackson donated the land for this park in 1933 and suggested an avenue of oak trees be planted by all of the country’s Prime Ministers or their nearest surviving relative. Lots of interesting statues to ponder as well. Nearby, in Faulconbridge Cemetery, is the grave of Sir Henry Parkes, known as the ‘Father of Federation’ and longest-serving Premier of the Colony of New South Wales.
4. Norman Lindsay Gallery & Museum — 14 Norman Lindsay Crescent, Faulconbridge
The ‘Home of the Magic Pudding’ is housed in Springwood, a rambling mansion that was built in the mid-1890s and bought by Norman Lindsay in 1912. This National Trust property is a fabulous place to explore, and the gardens, with their many statues, truly are magnificent.
Phone 4751 1067 or visit http://www.normanlindsay.com.au
5. Sublime Point Lookout — Sublime Point Road, Leura
The majority of tourists head to Echo Point for their view of the Jamison Valley but this offers just as spectacular an outlook, especially if you’re interested in seeing the backsides of the Three Sisters. Parking is dead easy (and free) before a shortish uphill but easy walk along a well formed track. A great picnic spot.
6. Leura Mall — Leura Mall, Leura
For me, Leura has long been the real jewel in the Blue Mountains crown and the Mall is its absolute heart. Trendy shops and quaint cafés abound in this ‘Mosman in the Mountains’. Make sure to rug up if you’re going to spend a couple of hours window shopping. There’s usually plenty of parking in the area on the top side out the back of the shops. The Red Door Café is excellent for coffee, a snack or some lunch, and the Leura Garage offers great avant garde food.
7. Everglades Historic House and Gardens — Everglades Avenue, Leura
I’ve already described the gardens at Norman Lindsay Gallery as truly magnificent so I’m not sure what possible descriptors are left for Everglades, which was developed from the 1930s by Belgian merchant Henri Van de Velde and Danish landscape architect Paul Sorenson. If you can get your eyes off the gardens themselves, the views of the Jamison Valley are breathtaking. Please don’t think you can possibly do this in a few minutes. It’s a major attraction.
Phone 4784 1938 or visit http://www.everglades.org.au
8. The Carrington Hotel — 15-47 Katoomba Street, Katoomba
The Carrington Hotel has regained much of glamour it exuded in the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries, when its only rival in the Empire was classed to be the Raffles in Singapore. The front stairs, the stained-glass facade, and especially the Grand Dining Room are all fine examples of a more decadent era.
Phone 4782 1111 or visit http://www.thecarrington.com.au
9. The Hydro Majestic Hotel — 52-88 Great Western Highway, Medlow Bath
There used to be a joke in Medlow Bath early last century that if you paged Mr or Mrs Smith in the bar at the Hydro, then half the people staying there would front up. Yes, it was that sort of place —a genuine Australian tourism icon and, well, a bit naughty as well. Thankfully it’s been magnificently restored to its original grandeur.
Phone 4782 6885 or visit http://www.hydromajestic.com.au
10. Hartley Historic Village — midway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow
It’s well worth the short detour to wander around what was a once-thriving commercial centre and government cog, with an imposing courthouse which was built in the Greek Revival style and still stands, along with a dozen or so other buildings. The St John’s Anglican Church is of simple design, but it has withstood the ravages of time and is still used for weddings as well as weekly services.
John Rozentals is a freelance writer whose passions are travel, food and wine. He lives at Molong in the Central West of NSW, from where he hosts Oz Baby Boomers, a lifestyle-resource for mature Australians, and Molong Online.