Sun, 5th Oct, 2014 Bathurst (sightseeing)

Was a warmer night which was a surprise as it had been quite hot during the day and clear skies but we weren’t complaining. I went to the big amenities and used the handicapped shower – lot bigger and a great big shower rose. It was very nice to just stand there and give my hair a good wash.

Headed off for the self-drive Heritage Drive around Bathurst. Stopped at the Bicentennial Peace Park with the Foundation Cairn which commemorates Gov Macquarie’s proclamation of the townsite on 7 May 1815. Bathurst will be celebrating its 200^th birthday next year but they have started putting it up everywhere. Even under the Mount Panorama sign it says Bathurst 200. On the wall around the cairn are plaques commemorating all the pioneers of the district. Some families have been here for 8 generations.

Found an old Aveling & Porter steam roller that carried rubble and aggregate in trailers during the building of Mt Panorama race circuit.

An interesting sandstone sculpture “Conversation”.

Just loving all the beautiful trees down here. Wandered beside the Macquarie River which isn’t much but there were some photos of major floods and then it is something. Read all the history info.

This is called the Old Government House. Possibly one of the oldest brick buildings in Bathurst dating back to early settlement. This side of the river was originally part of the Government stockade and early settlers were restricted to the eastern side until 1833 when a town survey was completed.

 Lovely garden.

Around the corner is No. 1 George Street, which was built in 1860 for the local banker and station owner, John Ford.

This one is a weeping cherry – they had the label still on it.

Into Kelso so rang Peter and Phyllis that we met at Sofala and went to their house for a cuppa as it was 10 o’clock. Walked in and the clock said 11 – forgot to wind our clocks forward. Great chatting with them and we thanked them again for their help in finding a dentist for Steve. They may go to Tasmanian in the new year so we will keep in contact.

Onto the railway station which was built in 1876.

 Not too different to the past.

Lovely old fireplace inside the station.

The steam engine is associated with Ben Chifley (Prime Minister 1945-1949) when he worked on the NSW Railways in early 1900s.

It has been restored well. (Haven't sorted out why they turn around yet!!)

Workers cottages near the railway station in “Milltown” (named because of the number of mills in the area).

Went into Crago Mill where they have a café and secondhand shop. Lots of interesting things like this “all original plywood canoe”. $295, built in 1950’s!

Onto Ben Chifley’s railway cottage. They have tours through it but we missed it and we weren’t too worried at $12 each!!

There were info plaques out the front.

St Stanislaus College was established in 1867 making it the oldest Catholic boys secondary school in Australia. The towers can be seen clearly from the top of Mt Panorama.

Back to the van for lunch and meet new neighbours from Victoria.

Back onto the Heritage Drive to the Bathurst Gaol with its magnificent entry which was hand carved from Katoomba sandstone. It cost 120,000 pounds and completed in 1888 and is still a medium security facility.

Out of town to Mount Pleasant where Major General William Stewart first saw aborigines. They have dreamtime stories etc under the big tree. The hill was more of a plateau back then. It has been reshaped over time from the quarrying of basalt for road building. 

 There is an obelisk which was built by his surviving children in remembrance of all he achieved. There is a cemetery too where generations of the family are buried but it is not for public viewing.

Abercrombie House is spectacular. It was originally named Mount Pleasant by the Stewart family who received land grants in the area in 1827. It was built in 1870 and took around 8 years to complete the 52 room mansion. Sadly times were tough and it was neglected and the furniture sold off etc. In the 1970s the Morgan family purchased it and have been restoring it over the past 40 years.

“Blair Athol” was built in 1892 and has been extensively restored. The gardens are beautiful. Would be great for weddings.

Miss Ida Traill’s house and garden was lovely. It was quite warm today outside in the sun but when you went into the building it was so lovely. Not so good on the cold winter night though. It was built in 1845 by the Rev Sharpe and is now the only domestic building of its age and style in the city. It is now bequeathed to the National Trust.

The Wisteria vine was lovely but covered in bees as I leant in for a sniff of the perfume!!

St Stephen's Presbyterian Church is the oldest continually used Presbyterian Church in Australia. Notice the white street lights were installed in 1924 when electricity was connected.

Kings Parade used to be a huge market place.

It was demolished and then the War Memorial Carillon and two sculptures were erected in 1933. One for the Boer War and the other is the Evans Memorial commemorating the discovery of the Bathurst Plains by surveyor George Evans in 1813.

 The flame burns inside the War Memorial.

 Looking down to the Boer War Memorial.

Lots of lovely flower beds.

The Bathurst Courthouse is amazing and was completed in 1880.

The day had warmed up a lot and everyone around us had an icecream. There was an American style ice cream parlour and great value and tasted delicious.

Great comparison of 1873 photo of George Street and now.

Wandered through Machattie Park checking out the birds!!

 Black swans.

 Huge duck.

Ornate lamps in the park.

Rotunda and water fountain.

The Methodist (Uniting) church was built in 1860 in Gothic Revival style.

In front of the Council building is “Victor’s Walk”, commemorating past winners of the Bathurst 1000 since it commenced in 1963.

The first one won by Harry Firth and Bob Jane.

More lovely flowering trees.

Some more great homes – there are so many different types.

Our camp area. Not too many here yet.

We are in the middle of the picture behind the poptop camper and the brown camper trailer.

Above us where Louis etc will be in the motorhome.

Got to get used to the time change. It was 7pm here when I realised it was time to get tea ready. I had prepared mixed fruit for my 3 ingredient fruit cake so put that in the oven. Steve was watching a rainy Formula 1 race then the “football final” started. Quiet night in the van watching TV.