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The sunken Garden in Cameron Park
 

Wellington (including Montefiores, Lake Burrendong, the Wellington Caves, Nurea, Bakers Swamp, Arthurville and Geurie)
Major centre west of the Blue Mountains
The attractive rural centre of Wellington, the second-oldest town west of the Blue Mountains, is located 369 km north-west of Sydney and 304 m above sea-level. It is a relatively large centre having a population of about 5700 with a considerable, and increasing, Aboriginal population.

Located in the Wellington Valley at the junction of the Macquarie and Bell Rivers and at the foot of Mt Arthur, Wellington is a very typical Australian country town. The main street is wide, the town has a large number of monuments to local people, the park is a delight, with luxurious stands of cool trees and quiet gardens for the visitor, and the shopping centre is an interesting mixture of the 1950s and the 1990s.

Once thought to have been occupied by the Wiradjuri people, the first European visitor was John Oxley who had headed north-east after being blocked by reeds in his exploration of the Lachlan River. He appears to have climbed Mt Arthur and, from there, gazed down upon what he named the Wellington Valley, after the Duke of Wellington who had, just two years before, defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

Descending the mountain, he came to a small river which he named the Bell after Brevet Major Bell of the 48th Regiment. He must have been standing in the future townsite as he recorded in his journal that he had 'scarcely rode a mile' along the course of the Bell before he came across its junction with the Macquarie River. Delighted by its contrast with the muddy, marshy Lachlan, he wrote of 'bright transparent water dashing over gravelly bottom..[with a]..brilliancy equal to the most polished mirror'.

In 1823, inspired by Oxley's glowing report on the area's agricultural potential, Governor Brisbane sent Lieutenant Percy Simpson to establish a camp with convicts and soldiers. It was situated about 3 km south of the present townsite on the high ground above the Bell River (on the eastern side of the Mitchell Highway) and was, for a short time, the only settlement beyond Bathurst. Although wheat was successfully grown, the settlement was abandoned in 1831, becoming a government stock station then, in 1832, the headquarters of an Aboriginal mission. Several weather-worn headstones are all that remain of this site, 3 km south (the earliest dating from 1825).

The property known as 'Gobolion' (still in existence) was established in 1824, 5 km north of present-day Wellington. Charles Sturt stayed overnight at 'Gobolion' during one of his journeys.

The Macquarie, just east of the Bell River junction, became a major river crossing used by explorers, settlers and coaches until 1870. A punt was used when the waters were high.

In 1831, J. B. Montefiore was granted 5120 acres on the northern bank of the Macquarie River. In 1840 he subdivided the western section of the estate and a private village known as Montefiores was established. All westbound traffic passed through the village's main thoroughfare, Gipps St. Cobb & Co used the village as a coach stop. The horses were changed here after fording the river. Only a few buildings remain, most notably an inn thought to have been the Lion of Waterloo Hotel which was licensed in 1842, making it the oldest licensed hotel west of the Blue Mountains that is still standing.

Montefiores' greatest claim to fame is that in 1854 the last duel known to have been fought on Australian soil was waged with pistols outside the Lion of Waterloo. It was an alcohol-driven affair. Only one hapless shot was fired before the constabulary arrived and took the duellers off to the local lockup.

 

Wellington Court House
 

A plan for the township of Wellington was first drawn up in 1839 but objections from Reverend Watson, concerning the impact it would have on the Aboriginal mission, caused the village to be established at Neurah, about 20 km south of Wellington, on the highway. Although some stores and inns, a school and stockyard were set up, that village never developed. The old streets can still be seen behind the post office.

The mission closed down in 1842 and Wellington was finally gazetted in 1846 and grew slowly from a population of 29 in 1851 to 1340 in 1881. Cobb & Co established a service through the town in 1865. Wellington acquired a reputation as 'the slowest town in the western district'. The first courthouse and the first bridge over the Macquarie were both built in 1871. Wellington became a municipality in 1879 and the railway arrived the following year.

A goldrush was sparked about 35 km south-east of Wellington in 1875. Stuart Town and Mookerawa sprung up with possibly as many as 6000 persons of a multinational stripe (including many Chinese) living there at one time. Operations had pretty much ceased by 1914. Stuart Town was originally known as Ironbark - the origin of 'Banjo' Paterson's 'Man From Ironbark'.

Goldmining also commenced at Bodangora, to the north-east of town, in the late 19th century. By the end of the century there were three main mines employing 700 men, 2 schools with 300 students and several churches. The settlement was originally known, rather poetically, as Mitchell's Creek Freehold Goldmining Estate and later as Davisville.

Today Wellington is a service centre for the surrounding district. The principal sources of income are beef, sheep, wheat, vineyards, the production of agricultural machinery and tourism. Wellington is also a popular stopover on the Mitchell Highway.

One truck stopped over in spectacular fashion on January 6, 1989. In attempting to cross the Macquarie River, a Mack prime mover carrying a trench digger caused the old bridge to collapse, landing the Mack in the river. Amazingly no-one was killed. For years afterwards the bridge was being repaired.

Annual events include the Wellington Boot race day in March, the Vintage Fair in March and the Festivale week of celebrations and activities in late October-early November.

Things to see:   [Top of page]

Tourist Information Centre and Cameron Park
The town's information centre is located in Cameron Park which is hailed as one of the best public gardens in NSW. Lining one side of Nanima Crescent (the town's main street and a section of the Mitchell Highway), it boasts a sunken garden and superb rose beds. The lily pond was once a children's swimming pool. Cameron Park is linked to Pioneer Park via a suspension bridge over the Bell River.

Wellington has a well-organised visitors' centre, tel: (02) 6845 1733. There are some fine free publications outlining the area's attractions, qualities and accommodation, including 'Historic Wellington', good material on Wellington Caves, Lake Burrendong, Stuart Town and Mt Arthur Reserve, and a well-produced pamphlet outlining the area's farmstay accommodation. Narroogal Park farmstay offers accommodation in the original homestead (1832), the convict-built bluestone homestead (1840) and the main homestead (1880).

 

Town Walk
The visitors' centre also has a well-produced historic walking tour pamphlet with an excellent town map. Head north along the crescent to Warne St and turn left. At the Raymond St corner is the former Commercial Hotel (1865), now converted to flats. The town's first building, another hotel, once stood adjacent.

Head east, back along Warne St to the Percy St corner where, to the left, you will encounter St Patrick's Catholic Church (1914). Adjacent is the Convent of Mercy (1896).

 

 

Oxley Historical Museum
 

Oxley Museum
Over the road is the Oxley Historical Museum, situated in a very elegant two-storey brick building erected in 1883 as the Bank of New South Wales. It became the Catholic presbytery in 1922. Windora School and Stinson Cottage (an 1851 slab dwelling) have also been rebuilt on the current grounds.

The journalist Robert Haupt wrote of the museum that it: 'may possibly have a representative sample for every piece of durable equipment ever employed in the valley.' In other words it is a typical country town museum. There is a 19th-century kitchen and bedroom and an Edwardian parlour. It is open from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. on weekdays and at other times by arrangement, tel: (02) 6845 2325 or (02) 6845 1484.

 

St John the Baptist's Anglican Church
Opposite is St John's, the town's oldest surviving church, built in 1867 with the transept, chancel and bell-tower added over the next 25 years. Plans for the original building were submitted by Edmund Blacket, the designer of Sydney Universityıs quadrangle and many notable churches in New South Wales. Why his design was not accepted is a mystery.

 

Town Walk Continued
Continue east along Warne St to the Arthur St corner. The bell in the fire station tower was used in Lieutenant Simpson's original convict settlement in the area (1823-1831). It was then retained by the Aboriginal mission set up on the same site subsequently.

Turn right into Arthur St. At the Swift St corner is the Hotel Wellington with a fine bell-tower and turret. Turn left into Swift St and the railway station (1880) is straight ahead.

Return westwards along Swift St to the Percy St corner, opposite Cameron Park, where you will find the National Australia Bank (1881), designed by G.A. Mansfield and built of stuccoed brick.

Turn left back into Nanima Crescent. At the Maughan St corner is a high brick wall which once enclosed the original timber-slab gaol.

Turn left into Maughan St. To the right is the Edwardian post office (1904) which has an enormous brick-and-stone arcade that contrasts strongly with the wooden verandah above. At Maughan and Arthur Sts is the Late Victorian courthouse (c.1890s), made of brick with stone dressings, a terracotta tiled roof and an unusual entrance arch. Opposite is the Federal Hotel (1894).

Turn right into Arthur St. To the right is the Wellington Public School, retaining the original schoolroom (1885). In the school yard is Oxleyıs Anchor (one of several donated to Australia by the British Admiralty to denote significant sites along the route taken by Oxley). There is also an elm tree under which, in October 1910, the first meeting of the famous Gould League of Birdlovers was held. At one time the Gould League was an organisation joined by just about every Australian school child.

Just beyond it, at the Maxwell St corner, is St Andrew's Uniting Church (1907).

 

Montefiores and the Lion of Waterloo Hotel
At the northern end of town the highway leads over the Macquarie River. Take the first left after the bridge into Montefiores St.

In 1831, J. B. Montefiore was granted 5120 acres here on the northern bank of the Macquarie River. In 1840 he subdivided the western section of the estate and a private village known as Montefiores was established. Until 1870 all westbound traffic passed through the village's main thoroughfare, Gipps St.

Only a few buildings remain, most notably an inn at Montefiores and Gipps St. It is thought to have been the Lion of Waterloo Hotel which was licensed in 1842, making it the oldest licensed hotel west of the Blue Mountains that is still standing.

What is thought to have been the last 'official' duel fought on Australian soil was waged with pistols outside the Lion of Waterloo in 1854. Today the inn has been restored and is operating as a licensed tavern with an art gallery and restaurant. It once served as a changing station for Cobb & Co coaches.

 

Cemetery
3 km south of town, along the Mitchell Highway, is a huge cemetery where stone angels on pedestals gaze down on departed local residents. Opposite is the graveyard related to the original European settlement (1823-1831). Several weather-worn headstones are all that remain of this site. The oldest is that of Captain Sweeney who died in 1825.

 

Horse riding
At the gateway a road heads east off the highway, signposted for Burrendong State Recreation Area. Off this road, 20 km from Wellington, near Dripstone, are Burrel Creek Trail Rides, which runs supervised rides over a 1200-acre sheep and cattle property. There are scenic views and trips to nearby Macquarie River. Prior bookings are essential, tel: (015) 935 638.

 

Lake Burrendong
This side-road also leads to the Burrendong State Recreation Area, adjacent a huge artificial lake, three and a half times the size of Sydney Harbour, which was built between 1946 and 1967 to irrigate farmland to the west of the town.

16 km from the highway there is a T-intersection. A right will take you to Stuart Town and Mookerawa Park. Turn left. A side road soon appears to the right, signposted 'Burrendong State Recreation Area'. If, instead, you keep to the left, the main road leads to the dam wall (5 km). However, before you arrive at the wall there are two side-roads on the left. The first leads to a lookout with excellent views over the area. The second leads to the outlet works, a new hydro-electricity plant and a picnic area. The scale of the dam wall is best appreciated from this point. The main road runs alongside the length of the dam wall and on to the spillway.

If, instead, you take the right at the T-intersection, it terminates at the Burrendong State Recreation Area. There is a caravan park as well as bungalows and camping areas, picnic and barbecue facilities, childrens' play equipment, boat ramps, and a kiosk with meals, petrol, bait, tackle and groceries.

Another recreation area on the park's western shore is Mookerawa Park to the south. Further enquiries concerning the lake's facilities can be directed to (02) 6846 7435.

Burrendong Foreshore Tours run tag-along 4WD treks which investigate goldmining relics around the lake. The tours run on Saturdays at 1.00 p.m. and Sunday at 9.00 a.m. and 1.30 p.m., tel: (02) 6846 7575.

 

 

 
 

Burrendong Arboretum and the Sport and Recreation Centre
Just before you reach Burrendong State Recreation Area there is a side-road to the right that leads to Burrendong Arboretum and the Sport and Recreation Centre. 1 km down this road there is a right which leads past the nursery and information centre at the Arboretum entrance.

Burrendong Arboretum is a 167-ha botanic garden with 2000 species of Australian trees and wildflowers, including numerous rare and endangered plants. It is open daily from 7.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. There are self-guided walks through areas of special interest (including Fern Gully, a rainforest-type environment with an outstanding collection of Australian ferns) and plenty of roads for cycling or driving. 158 bird species, including emus, roam wild in the gardens, along with lizards, skinks, tortoises, echidnae and wallabies. For further information contact (02) 6846 7454.

If you continue south, instead of taking the right to the arboretum, you will soon come to a left which leads to the sport and recreation centre where there is a large swimming pool, tennis courts, football and cricket fields, sailing, canoeing and other aquatic activities, as well as accommodation, tel: (02) 6846 7403.

 

 

Contemporary sculpture outside Wellington
 

The Gateway to Wellington
8 km south of Wellington, along the Mitchell Highway, is a visitor information bay and a piece of contemporary sculpture which is intended to be symbolic of Wellington and the surrounding district. The skeletal elements refer to the large numbers of fossils associated with Wellington Caves, the dome suggests the sunset, the windchimes reflect the stalactites of the caves and the pool below them resembles the confluence of the Bell and Macquarie Rivers. The seed-pod shape evokes the valley's fertility and the potential of the district while the 'plants' which emerge from it refer to the area's growth and the particularity of its vegetation. The wall and totems reflect the Catombal Range behind the sculpture while the mosaic panels within each totem deal with various aspects of Wellington's history and culture. Both the main structure and the wall are made from the girders of the Wellington Bridge which collapsed in 1989 under the weight of a heavily-laden prime mover. A pamphlet available at the Wellington Visitors' Centre furnishes further detail.

 

Wellington Caves
8 km south of Wellington along the highway there is a signposted right which leads to the area's major attraction: the Wellington Caves Holiday Complex.

The first European to see the caves was probably someone associated with Lieutenant Simpson's settlement (1823-1831) but the first written account was provided by the explorer Hamilton Hume in 1828. He noted: 'The inside of the cave is beautifully formed, some parts of it are supported by pillars 50 feet high and beautifully carved by nature.'

 

Two years later George Rankin, a local magistrate, found fossil bones of both a diprotodon and a giant kangaroo in the caves. The diprotodon was herbivorous and its teeth were well adapted for grazing (although the replica statue on-site makes it look like a Walt Disney rabbit). It roamed the area during the Pleistocene period.

Rankin returned later with Sir Thomas Mitchell and collected a huge variety of bones from the caves which appear to have acted as a natural trap for fauna. These remains became the subject of an address by Mitchell to the Geological Society of London in 1831. Since that time the cave has been a steady source of information about ancient geology and fauna, although collapses and other geological phenomena have splintered and scattered skeletons and, tragically, phosphate mining from 1913 to 1971 has rendered priceless palaeontological evidence into fertiliser for farmers.

The caves were vandalised during the nineteenth century and it wasnıt until 1884 that they became a reserve. By 1888 over 1500 people a year were visiting them. Today over 50 000 people visit the caves annually.

To get there turn off the Mitchell Highway, 8 km south of Wellington. As you approach the caves there are a number of attractions. The Great Western Crystal Cottage is a substantial exhibition of crystals, gold, amethyst and gemstones. The Bottle House (constructed from over 9000 bottles) and the car park are to the left. Behind the bottle house is the garden railway and beyond the car park is an 18-hole golf course and club house, tel: (02) 6845 2130.

Two of the caves are open for inspection (by guided tour only) - the Cathedral Cave and the Garden Cave. Tours are held every day but Christmas, on the hour from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, with no tour at 1.00 pm. There are additional tours on weekends, public and school holidays so ring the visitors' centre on 1800 621 614 to check times before you visit.

The Cathedral Cave is famous for its huge stalagmite known as Altar Rock which is 32 metres in circumference at its base and over 15 metres high. It was once thought to be the largest stalagmite in the world. A visit lasts about 45 minutes and a tour of Gaden Cave takes about 40 minutes. The latter is noted for its unusual and beautiful cave coral.

In recent times members of the Sydney University Speleology Club have discovered other caverns in the area. There are now 26 in the reserve. The most important discoveries have been the River Cave and Water Cave (both are submerged) which contain valuable fossils.

The old Phosphate Mine (wheelchair friendly) has been fully restored and is also open for inspection. There are currently four tours a day and seven in the holidays (ring 1800 621 614 to check times). No bare feet, thongs or sandals are allowed in the mine.

There are two books on the caves both of which are useful souvenirs. The Wellington Caves by Joan Starr and Doug McMillan covers the whole Wellington area. The photographs are poorly reproduced. The Wellington Caves and Abercrombie by Kent Henderson is a detailed description of all the cave tours for both cave complexes.

 

Nurea and Markeita Cellars Winery
A plan for the township of Wellington was first drawn up in 1839 but objections from Reverend Watson concerning the impact it would have on the Aboriginal mission caused the village to be established at Nurea, 15 km south of present-day Wellington. Although some stores and inns, a school and a stockyard were set up, the village never developed. The old streets can still be seen behind the post office.

Markeita Cellars Winery is located at Nurea. Wine tasting and sales are conducted from the cellar, tel: (02) 6846 7277.

 

Galleries
7 km further south of Nurea along the highway is the Bakers Swamp Gallery, located in a 100-year-old limestone house beside the highway, owned by Bill O'Shea who is noted for his rural painting. It is open seven days from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (02) 6846 7204.

Another kilometre south along the highway, Woodside Lane is signposted to the right. 4 km along this gravel road is the Eris Fleming Gallery at the foothills of the Catombal Range, open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Friday to Monday, or by appointment, tel: (02) 6846 7221.

 

Mt Arthur Reserve
Mt Arthur (563 m above sea-level) looms over Wellington. It is situated within a public reserve, 3.2 km west of town via Bushranger Creek Road. The reserve takes in three peaks and covers 1300 ha of bushland which is a sanctuary for a large number of birds, animals and plants.

Just across Bushranger's Creek, 3 km from Wellington, is the departure point for the Yarraman Horse riding Trail which, when completed, will take in a full circuit of Mt Arthur.

A little further along the road are the entrance gates to Scenic Drive, which leads past picnic areas and the start of the Bundari Trail. The road ends at a car park from whence two more trails depart. All three allow access to the Binjang and Ningana Lookouts at the mountain's summit, furnishing spectacular views of the river junction below and of the mountains and plains of the district. The Apex Track (3.2 km) is the most accessible.

If you return to Bushranger Creek Road and turn right, heading west, you will soon come to the Lakeside Picnic Area, adjacent the old Wellington Reservoir. Three more trails depart from here: the Bimberdong Trail heads north, passes by a kangaroo enclosure, and ascends the foothills of the mountain to link up with the Apex Trail. Opposite the picnic area the Waterloo Trail and the Trig Trail depart, together forming one loop track which takes in the Mt Wellesley television repeater station.

For more information on these tracks, ring the information centre on (02) 6845 1733. There is a fine booklet detailing the trails and their routes, as well as the fauna and flora you will encounter.

 

Glenfinlass Cellars
8 km south-west of Wellington, along the Parkes Rd, is Glenfinlass Cellars, open Saturdays or by appointment, tel: (02) 6845 2221.

 

Nangara Gallery
9 km along the Parkes Rd, there is a turnoff on the right to Arthurville. It is another 17 km along a sealed road to Nangara Gallery at Arthurville. There is a large collection of Aboriginal artifacts from around Australia. Viewings are by appointment only, tel: (02) 6846 3463.

 

Angora Tourist Farm
If you continue along the Parkes Rd, past the Arthurville turnoff, there is soon another turnoff to the left. After 15 km this takes you past the Yeoval turnoff on the right. A few kilometres further on is the Angora Tourist Farm where there are angora rabbits, plus alpacas, deer, camels, emus, ostriches, kangaroos and buffalo. You can see the rabbits being shorn of their valuable fleece. Meals and devonshire teas are available in the Rabbit Trap Restaurant. Bookings are essential, tel: (02) 6846 4039.

 

Ponto Falls and Geurie
8 km north-west of Wellington, along the Mitchell Highway, there is a turnoff to the left which leads, after a further 8 km, to Ponto Falls, an attractive spot beside the Macquarie River. 20 km from Wellington along the highway is the small village of Geurie which has a few interesting old buildings, together with Aladdins Cave (a second-hand shop) and Buckenbah Gallery.

 

Cobb & Co Heritage Trail
The historic inland coaching company, Cobb & Co, celebrates the 150th anniversary of its first journey in 2004 (and the 80th anniversary of its last, owing to the emergence of motorised transport). The trailblazing company's contribution to Australia's development is celebrated with the establishment of a heritage trail which explores the terrain covered on one of its old routes: between Bathurst and Bourke.

Cobb & Co's origins lay in the growing human traffic prompted by the goldrushes of the early 1850s. As the Heritage Trail website states: 'The company was enormously successful and had branches or franchises throughout much of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan. At its peak, Cobb & Co operated along a network of tracks that extended further than those of any other coach system in the world ­ its coaches travelled 28,000 miles (44,800km) per week and 6000 (out of their 30,000) horses were harnessed every day. Cobb & Co created a web of tracks from Normanton on the Gulf of Carpentaria and Port Douglas on the Coral Sea down to the furthest reaches of Victoria and South Australia ­ in all, a continuous line of 2000 miles (3200km) of track over eastern Australia from south to north, with a total of 7000 miles (11,200km) of regular routes' (see www.cobbandco.net.au).

Wellington shire contains a number of Cobb & Co related sites such as changing stations, track routes, crossings, disused hand-built roads, collapsed bridges, and hotels of the coaching days, such as the Lion of Waterloo pub, the Royal Oak and the Sportsman's Arms.

 

 

 

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Wellington