Blue Mountains iMag January 2017 by iMag Publications Pty Ltd

Sydney, Blue Mountains and Central West

January 2017

Happy New Year!

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Stay wit

Inside • • •

Regional Maps Where to eat, stay and What to do Win award winning zoo passes

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h us to

Eat, drink, stay

find out!

and play!

Meet new friends in new places

Site of The Leura Shakespeare Festival Jan 14th-29th Photo courtesy of Everglades House and Gardens, National Trust ©

Taste the Blue Mountains

‘We believe everyone has the right to access good, clean and fair food’ Slow Food is an international non-profit association formed in 1989 as a response to the standardising effects of fast food and the ‘fast life’. There are now thousands of members in over 100 countries, divided into local focus groups called convivia, of which Slow Food Blue Mountains is just one. Three interconnecting principles define Slow Food: GOOD - A fresh and flavoursome seasonal diet that satisfies the senses and is part of our local culture. CLEAN - Produced in harmony with the environment and human health. FAIR - Accessible prices for consumers and fair conditions and pay for small-scale producers. To join, tap into local events or find out more about Slow Food Blue Mountains, visit www.slowfoodbluemountains.com.au or email sfbm@slowfoodaustralia.com.au

Carrington Cellars and Deli have different offerings each week with seasonal features tastings and demonstrations including recipes. They are part of the local social scene. We look forward to sharing their regular seasonal news with you in the magazine and online.

REGIONAL WINE SPECIALIST Purveyors of Fine Food & Wine Located in the old Katoomba power station (just off Parke Street), our cellar specialises in Regional Wines, Boutique Beers and an International Deli. Many heritage features of the power station have been incorporated into the design. The cellar is available for private tastings.

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ON ONPARKE PARKESTREET STREET(AT (ATREAR REAROF OFTHE THECARRINGTON CARRINGTONHOTEL) HOTEL) The Hotel15-47 15-47katoomba KatoombaSt,St,Katoomba Katoomba 2780 The Carrington Carrington Hotel 2780 www.thecarrington.com.au T +61 2 4782 1111 www.thecarrington.com.au T +61 2 4782 0999

M&A B U TCH E RY

Unique 170 year old abattoir on-site and working. Both local and NSW beef, Lamb, Pork and Goat with occasional Seasonal prawns and a great variety of sausages. Unbeatable prices. Mon-Fri 7.00-6.00 Sat 7.00-2.00

M&A BUTCHERY

Arrange to meet your friends, enjoy coffee, drinks or a meal while enjoying the panoramic views. Check out our extensive function capability for weddings, reunions, birthdays – any celebration… Adjacent to Turners Vineyard and Motel. What a splendid location! Caravans and coaches welcome - ample parking Themed Functions up to 400 arranged Accomodation available at Turners Motel Closing 17 December Hours Wednesday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 2:30 pm

4929 Mitchell Highway Lucknow Phone 0499 150 065

62 King Road, Wilberforce

02 4575 1233

Breakfast, Lunch or just Coffee! Catering Outdoor Seating

ww.oakridgeorange.com.au

Find us on Facebook!

Introducing Lithgow Workies

Club Motel!

Whether it’s a stay at our new 36 Room, 4 star adjoining Motel or a visit to one of our many great facilities where you can enjoy quality food from our Bistro & Cino’s Café or experience contemporary dining at our A La Carte Restaurant, ESK, plus an extensive range of bars and functions rooms to make any visit a memorable one. The Lithgow Workies… The Ultimate Play & Stay Destination.

Open 7 days until late! (02)63507777

3-7 Tank Street, LITHGOW clubmotel@workies.com.au

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George St Sydney 1883 from oil painting by Alfred Tischbauer © State Library NSW

From the Editor January Here’s to a Happy New Year and great Summer holidays! Our front cover features the idyllic site of the Leura Shakespeare Festival 14-29 January. This year’s production is highly topical, slanted toward the ethics of politics, a highly topical subject. Check out where to stay from places that will pamper you to camping and RV Friendly options. Swim ski and fish. You can even visit new places and enjoy new adventures while your pets can stay along the way. Take advantage by exploring widely in our delightful world heritage splendour. We offer nourishment for your body, soul and all your senses this month; history and modern slants on old favourites; options for adventure or relaxation – come and enJoy! Pamper and reward yourself as you explore our awesome antique and art venues, try on some slow or cheeky apparel, taste our wines and discover great cafes, dining and high tea experiences. We also enter the Slow Food Summer Harvest Festival – so many reasons to stay with us. See how much some of our first settled areas have changed as you explore our contrasting regions. Enjoy from the Mountains to the sea, along our waterways, our

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Contents

spectacular garden displays, explore above and below ground… Explore by car, cycle, on foot, on horseback or by public transport; sample our different cafes lolly shops and restaurants and stay in different areas… really have a great time! As we enjoy summer holidays, take your pick of adventures. You are in this ancient land with its world heritage listed areas and unique ecosystems… look around you and drink it in… stay a while with us… consider what is most precious to you and plan to enjoy it to the utmost. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and check out our web for more information, including our Calendar of Events. Back issues of iMag magazines are also available online. Drive safely, take care, live and love well! Always make every day count… and good luck in finding your answers – whatever the questions!

Hills & Hawkesbury

Summer holidays 8 Parramatta/Penrith 10 Lower Blue Mountains

Mid Mountains

13-14

Wentworth Falls

Main Map

Leura Village

Katoomba 20 Medlow Bath to Mt Victoria

Mount Tomah

Hartley & surrounds

Wallerawang/Portland 25 Lithgow 26 Oberon/Batahurst/Mudee 28 Orange & Districts

Kevin

Independently owned franchise Published by Imag Publications Editor: Margaret Edwards Phone/Fax: (02) 6359 3399 Mobile: 0411 858 140 Administration: Kevin Edwards Email: salesbmimag@bigpond.com PO Box 602, Lithgow NSW 2790

PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for Copy/Changes - 1st of the month prior to month of publication

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MONTHLY

Material in this publication is copyright and may not be published or reproduced in any form without the express permission of the publishers. Circulation, an average of 10,000 copies printed monthly, distributed and recirculated monthly throughout the Region as well as major tourism information centres in Sydney, Canberra and country NSW. Information supplied by others for this magazine is published in good faith. Whilst every endeavour has been made to ensure absolute accuracy of this information, the Publishers cannot be held responsible for any consequences resulting from omissions or inadvertent errors contained herein. Printed by Spotpress, 24-26 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville, NSW © Imag Publications Pty Ltd 2012 Compiled by Nicole Collis, Tang Print Media Production Subscription to magazine $30 per year.

Taste sensations

FREE Information Guide

Download

the latest from our new website

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Blue Mountains Trolley Tours Blue Mountains Trolley Tours operates an hourly hop on and hop off service 7 days a week that takes you to 29 GREAT ATTRACTIONS located in KATOOMBA and LEURA, allowing you to experience the best of what this fabulous world heritage area has to offer in a fun and informative way. You can purchase your $25 Hop On and Hop Off All Day Pass from the

Trolley Shoppe located at 76 Main Street, Katoomba, Opposite the Pedestrian Crossing at Katoomba Railway Station, or directly from the Trolley Driver at any stop. You can book a Day Tour from Sydney, save when you book your tickets online, book bushwalks through us, even like us on Facebook at Trolley Tours, Katoomba.

Jenolan Caves

Hop on a Discovery Trolley Tour and discover some of the most breathtaking landscapes and experience one of Australia’s natural wonders! Enjoy a brisk walk taking in a fascinating mix of Eucalyptus trees, dense rain forests, sheer cliffs, canyons, chasms and plateaus. A short stroll from some of our Trolley stops can immerse you in the sounds and scents of the bush. The Blue Mountains region is alive with rich floral diversity and is a bird watchers’ paradise. There is a walking track to suit you! Let the Trolley Shoppe help plan your bushwalks explore some of the most breathtaking scenery in the World. Deep Gorges, Dense Forests, Swamps, Waterfalls and Sheer Cliffs. For more information visit the: Trolley Shoppe, 76 Main Street, Katoomba.

TROLLEY TOURS

Experience one of the World’s ﬁnest cave systems with underground rivers and spectacular limestone formations. Coach tour departs Katoomba 10.35am. Daily (return to Katoomba daily by 5.00pm). Coach tour includes informative commentary. (Coach does not operate Christmas Day).

RETURN COACH TRAVEL TO JENOLAN CAVES (Does not include caves tour)

Concession $50

Child $38

RETURN COACH TRAVEL + ADMISSION CHIFLEY CAVE OR LUCAS CAVE Concession $76 $73

Child $68 $65

RETURN COACH TRAVEL + ADMISSION TO ORIENT CAVE Concession $80 $77

Child $72 $69

RETURN COACH TRAVEL + ADMISSION TO CHIFLEY & LUCAS CAVES Concession $98 $92

Child $91 $85

RETURN COACH TRAVEL + PLUG HOLE ADVENTURE CAVING $147 Concession $137

55 84 87 90 93 109 115 142 152 $

E AT BOOK ONLIN OM.AU LEYTOURS.C WWW.TROL

2 DAY

Per Adult

Bookings are essential e at and can be made onlinm.au .co rs ou www.trolleyt

151 144

ULTIMATE $ DISCOVERY PACKAGE

All Day Trolley Tours Ride plus unlimited Adult rides on Scenic Railway / Cableway and $135 / Skyway at Scenic World. (Valid 1 day only). Concession $128 Plus Coach Tour to Jenolan Caves and Guided Tour of Chifley or Lucas Cave.

Child$100 $94 Child

Per Adult

H TRAVEL ONE WAY COAC ADULT CONCESSION 0 $4 / ULT AD 5 $4 ilable dation also ava (overnight accommo ) s.com.au for details see www.trolleytour

OPEN 7 DAYS

76 MAIN STREET KATOOMBA

(Opposite Pedestrian Crossing at Katoomba Railway Station)

PH: 02 4782 7999 info@trolleytours.com.au

Per Adult

OTHER CAVE INSPECTION OPTIONS AVAILABLE. (Pre-booking required. Tour cancellation conditions are applicable)

Book Online: www.trolleytours.com.au Cost effective 1st April

LICENSED WITH NPWS – LICENCE: 13/4 TRANSPORT NSW ACCREDITATION No: 9215

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Hills & Hawkesbury In March 1788, Governor Arthur Phillip set off to find more suitable land for agriculture and travelled up the Hawkesbury River as far as Dangar Island. He returned the following year and navigated the river to a point upstream

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of Windsor. Governor Phillip and his party reached this area by boat on 6th July 1789 and named it Green Hills. He was impressed with its farming potential and quickly arranged for food production to begin in order to relieve the shortages in Port Jackson.

Governor Macquarie named the settlement Windsor in 1810. This was the start of the Hawkesbury Hills District, still a rich production area for food and a wonderful playground. Visit the Information Centres throughout the Hills Hawkesbury area for more information. Surrounded by 10 National parks an hour’s drive from Sydney, the area provides a wide range of recreational pursuits. Encircled by noteworthy national parks - Dharug to the north and east, Yengo to the north-west, Cattai to the west, and Marramarra to the south Wisemans Ferry is a rustic village on one of the country's most famous waterways.

What to See & Do

Banksia Yarns New Spring / Summer range of yarns available

• Quality wool - alpaca, cotton, mohair, mixed fibres & yarns. • Patterns, needles & hooks. • Heirloom, Colinette, Patons, Cleckheaton Katia & Stylecraft. • Gift ideas & gift cards. Hours:

Mon – Fri: 9:30 – 5pm Sat: 9:30 – 1pm

Closed from 25th December 2016 - 16th January 2017. During this time, online orders will still be processed, with free Australia-wide postage shop 7, Magnolia Mall, 283 Windsor St, Richmond NSW

Phone 02 4505 1615 or 0401 279 853

www.banksiayarns.com.au

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Macquarie Arms Hotel 1815 Windsor Court House 1821 The Toll House built in 1835 St Monicas Church opened in 1859 Richmond Court House 1877 Macquarie Schoolhouse 1819 Ebenezer Church built 1809 Australia’s oldest church Check out Berowra Waters Go horse riding close to home Stay in a romantic B&B and get away from it all

HAWKESBURY VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE Ham Common, Hawkesbury Valley Way, Clarendon (Opposite Richmond RAAF Base) Phone 1300 362 874 hawkesburytourism@pacific.net.au www. hawkesburytourism.com.au

All Dressed Up Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Windsor 9 December 2016 – 5 February 2017 The focus of this special summer holiday exhibition is the politics, culture, drama and play of clothing, costume and disguise through history as well as in contemporary society. The exhibition will feature a number of contemporary Australian artists as well as historical and contemporary fashion pieces from the fabulous Darnell Collection and The Hawkesbury Regional Museum Costume Collection. One of the features artists is Jacqui Stockdale, whose compelling photographic portraits reflect her ongoing fascination with history, mythology and identity. Her images playfully mimic the genre of exotic postcards and historical paintings where a fanciful subject is positioned within a make-believe landscape. Dressed in costumes and masks Stockdale’s characters are layered with cultural references. ‘The Boho’ draws on the nineteenth century Australian folk narrative surrounding the popular larrikin and anti-hero Ned Kelly. They combine Jacqui’s fascination with colonial folklore, myths and masquerade. The life size portraits depict living subjects – including Paul Kelly and Missy Higgins, in front of iconic ‘Kelly country’ landscapes, such as String Bark Creek and Power’s Lookout in the King Valley, Victoria.

Also featured is Michael Cook, a Brisbane-based photomedia artist of Bidjara heritage. Cook’s photographs restage colonial-focused histories and re-image the contemporary reality of indigenous populations. Touching on the discriminatory nature of society, his images muddle racial and social roles ‘painting’ a picture of a societal structure reversed. Cook invites viewers to speculate Indigenous cultures living at the forefront, even a majority, rather than manipulated to live within the confines of a white man’s world. For over 70 years, Doris Darnell, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, pursued a passion for fashion by collecting vintage clothes and accessories. For Doris, the social history behind the items was as important as the items themselves and preserving them and their stories for future generations became an important part of her passion. The Darnell Collection grew

out of donations and gifts from her family’s wide circle of friends and acquaintances around the world. Importantly, most of the items came with accompanying letters, photographs and stories which linked them to the original owners or donors and often to the occasions to which they were worn. Charlotte Smith inherited her godmother Doris’s collection in 2004. It has continued to grow through further bequests to over 8000 pieces representing 32 different countries and is considered the largest private vintage clothing collection in Australia. Included are many internationally recognised 20th century designers such as Lucile, Vionnet, Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Pucci, Jean Muir, Zandra Rhodes, Westwood, Versace, Dolce & Gabana and Jil Sander among many, many other names.

From left to right - Jacqui Stockdale, Man of Quinn, 2016, Type C print, 140 x 110cm Michael Cook, Civilised #2 2012 100 x 85cm Sheath dresss, 1920, Charlotte Smith Darnell Collection

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HappySummer holidays! So many options and for once perfect weather and time to plan making the most of it… see the new fishing NSW app below while our back cover brings exciting entertainment and feasting. Lake Lyell’s Aqua Blitz is sure to be popular this summer as will be camping holidays – visit R&K Gas and

Camping (see next page). Festive food drink and gift ideas are throughout this magazine and also in our online events. Check our Slow Food Festival on page 19. Plan your celebrations with the assistance of The Carrington Hotel Cellars and Deli and be sure to make the most of markets before they are

closed for January. So much art music entertainment and activities so… Happy Summer Holidays!

As seen on A Current Affair

all natural relief from pain and inflammation

FISHSMART

FISH FACTS ON THE GO NEW FISHSMART APP OFFERS FISH FACTS ON THE GO

This new app will provide users with up to date information on where and how to fish as well as full details on rules and regulations. “We know that NSW is home to some of the best recreational fishing and we want to make sure that our fishers are equipped with all the information they need before heading out on our waterways,” Mr Blair said. This free, easy–to-use app will give fishers access to a range of data such as bag and size limits, spearfishing information, fishing safety and useful guides for reporting illegal fishing. Users can also view the location of FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices), artificial reefs, Recreational Fishing Areas and real time maps of Marine Parks across NSW. A number of useful guides can be downloaded on fishing rules and fish species. The app also includes weather, tides, moon phases, barometric pressure and other key fishing data, as well as regional fishing rules and a pictorial guide to identify NSW fish species. The FishSmart NSW app is to be available on iTunes, through android and Google Play.

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Try be relieved and be sport easy to use, versatile, fast-acting pain relief for a range of conditions. Find out more at: www.aroma.com.au or call us on (02) 9652 0555.

It started as a boyhood dream 5 acres in the country. A good friend introduced us to the legendary Richard St. Barbe Baker. An English forester, environmental activist and author who contributed to worldwide reforestation efforts (Wikipedia). He founded "Men Of The Trees". We became Life Members. A goal setting weekend raised the question. "Where would you like to live?" From The Rum Corps Barracks at Windsor, Donna pointed to the Kurrajong skyline. "Out there". Frantic assembly of possessions garnered from 13 years. Four children under 10 and two goldfish. Settlement in record time. A blank canvas. Two gum trees. Four gates. Seedlings from the MOTT Nursery. Unlabelled, so must be "Eucalyptus Questionatus". Hundreds upon hundreds of them. "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago - or today". 28 years have passed. The seedlings are grown. The goldfish have gone. The children have moved. Time for us to move too. Peter & Donna.

R&K for All Your Gas and Camping Needs R&K Gas and Camping doesn’t keep every brand, but with brands like Primus, Roman and Oztrail, you know you are buying quality. We have air mattresses, pumps, tents and swags, heaps of chairs, portable showers, lighting and everything else you will need for a

comfortable camping experience. We also keep a huge range of gas fittings and hoses to suit EVERY requirement. If you need expert advice for your camping needs, you have come to the right place. We are conveniently located in Chifley Rd, at the bottom of Scenic Hill off the Bells Line of Road from Richmond. Ph 6351 3174.

R&K Gas and Camping Camping Gear & Accessories Swags - Gas Refills 6351 3174 Chifley Road Lithgow

It’s time to say “Farewell” to Dreamwood at Tennyson. Our beautiful 5 acre property in the Hawkesbury Valley is for sale. The time has come to write the next chapter in our lives at a new location... For the fun times and happy memories we would like to thank all the wonderful new friends we have met here at Dreamwood. Until we meet again... Best wishes from Peter & Donna 0411 251 681— 0411 253 386

Dreamwood For Sale Enquiries to Teena at Dwight Real Estate 02 4588 8888 www.dwightrealestate.com.au Photos c/- Dwight Real Estate

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Parramatta - Penrith

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Parramatta was founded in 1788 by Governor Arthur Phillip as a western outlying farm colony of Sydney. Initially it was called Rose Hill and was renamed Parramatta, an Aboriginal word meaning “head of waters,” or “the place where eels lie down”, the year after it was proclaimed a town in 1790. It was incorporated as a municipality in 1861, became a city in 1938 and was expanded in 1948, 1959, and 1972 by the inclusion of surrounding centres.

Port Jackson harbour. The Parramatta River Cat ferry takes passengers from Parramatta to Sydney along the River. The River Cat is a scenic and relaxing way to explore the waterways . Ferries are cheap and certainly a fast and pleasant way to travel all over Sydney. There are many pleasant places to eat, shop and even go to the theatre along the Parramatta River, not to mention stroll, fish or simply relax. Parramatta is famous for a wide variety of retail and dining options!

Now Parramatta is a city within Sydney’s metropolitan area. It lies along the 15-mile or 24-km Parramatta River, which enters

Parramatta has many historic buildings, including Elizabeth Farm (Built in 1793, it is the nation’s oldest surviving European

BEST MUSEUM IN PARRAMATTA

Hambledon Cottage Museum Housed in a Georgian, single storey colonial cottage, the museum is dedicated to revealing the stories of John and Elizabeth Macarthur, the foundation of the wool industry, the lives of the women of the Female Factory, and the lifestyle of the 19th century. Authentic history in every room. Volunteer guides show how letters were created using ink, quill and sealing wax. Handcrafted Australian cedar fourposter bed gives secrets of Governor FitzRoy's era. A picnic in Hambledon Reserve is a relaxing time to observe Australian birdlife feasting on the native plum or nuts of the Bunya pine. In the kitchen learn how to prepare a fresh Parramatta River Eel for dinner.

Corella feeding on Bunya Nut

What to See & Do

Try the ferry. A beautiful way to get around a lot of places. Check out Riverside theatres and restaurant. Take a walk along the river while you’re there.

Colonial Kitchen table

Visit Experiment Farm, Elizabeth

Farm and Hambledon Cottage.

Olympic Park is an experience in itself, close to Parramatta, on the ferry. Parramatta Farmers’ Markets, produce, arts, crafts and more. Australian cedar four post bed

Parramatta & District Historical Society Inc. (1913) Meet people who enjoy local history Hambledon Cottage House Museum OPEN Thursday to Sunday – every week 11am – last guided tour begins 3pm Gregory Place, Parramatta 9635-6924 email: parramattahist@tpg.com.au www.facebook.com / Parramatta – Historical – Society

www.parramattahistorical.org.au

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building). Old Government House (Built in 1799, it is the oldest public building in Australia). Experiment Farm Cottage (Built in 1834 it is the site of the first land grant). Hambledon Cottage (Built in 1824 by John and Elizabeth Macarthur for extra accommodation for family and friends. The Kings School (1832). As Parramatta is once again becoming a more important city centre and larger business buildings are being built, fascinating pieces of Parramatta’s past are being literally unearthed. In the foyer of some of the new buildings you will see glass around what was discovered and in the Justice Precinct you will find the remains of the earliest convict hospitals on display. The Parramatta Visitor Information Centre can tell you more about where to find these or for more information visit www.parracity.nsw.gov.au

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE 346A Church St, Parramatta Ph: (02) 8839 3311 Fax: (02) 8839 3301 Email: discoverparramatta@ parracity.nsw.gov.au

...will take you there!

NEW Female Factory Exhibition included in guided tour

Penrith - The adventure capital Penrith is the ideal place to have your next adventure; there is so much to see, explore and discover and its proximity to Sydney means visitors can come for the day or stay for a couple of days to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Thrill-seekers can pay a visit to iFly Downunder, Australia’s only indoor skydiving facility and the southern hemisphere’s best white-water facility, Penrith Whitewater Stadium. There is also Jetpack Adventures at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Luddenham Raceway, Cables Wake Park and a 737 JetFlight Simulator. Visitors wanting to keep their feet on the ground can take in one of the world-class concerts and performances at The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, see an exhibition at the Penrith Regional Gallery, go on a tour at the Go-Shu Sake Factory or learn about the history of firefighting at the Museum of Fire. We even have award winning Indigenous experiences at Muru Mittigar. Surrounded by mountains, sweeping valleys and lakes, and with the stunning Blue Mountains in the backdrop, there really is no better place to explore the great outdoors. Relax on a cruise along the Nepean River or step things up with a bushwalk to ‘The Rock’ lookout. Visit www.visitpenrith.com.au for more info or call 1300 736 836 (weekdays only).

Penrith Whitewater Stadium McCarthy’s Lane, Cranebrook Ph: 4730 4333 FOR A LAID BACK ADVENTURE: Museum of Fire 1 Museum Drive, Penrith Ph: 4731 3000 Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre - 597 High Street, Penrith Ph: 4723 7600 Penrith Regional Gallery & Lewers Bequest - 86 River Road, Emu Plains Ph: 4735 1100 Sun Masamune Sake Brewery 29 Cassola Place, Penrith Ph: 4732 2833 The Union Restaurant Union Lane, Penrith Ph: 4721 4501 FOR AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: Aqua Golf

Panthers World of Entertainment Mulgoa Road, Penrith Ph: 4721 7240 Bushwalking, Fairlight Road, Mulgoa Kayaking & Canoeing Horizon Line (Kayak/Canoe hire) 69 Great Western Highway, Emu Plains Ph: 02 4735 2120 VISITOR INFORMATION Tourism Information for Penrith is now available at: www.penrithishere.com.au Telephone: 1300 736 836 (Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm) The information wall at Penrith Civic Centre is available Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4pm. The information wall at Penrith City Library is available Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 5pm.

...will take you there!

What to See & Do

FOR AN ACTION PACKED ADVENTURE: 737 Jet Flight Simulator Experience Unit 1 /9-11 Abel Street, Penrith Ph: 4722 5747 Cables Wake Park Behind Panthers Complex, Mulgoa Road, Penrith Ph: 4722 2537 Ifly Downunder 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith Ph: 1300 366 364 Jetpack Adventures Jetpack Lake, Gate D, Old Castlereagh Road, Cranebrook Ph: 0474 538 722 Luddenham Raceway 821 - 849 Luddenham Road, Luddenham Ph: 9834 2366

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Lower Blue Mountains Across the Nepean River through Emu Plains, Leonay and Lapstone, travel west along the Great Western Highway to Glenbrook to reach the Blue Mountains Tourist Information Centre on the left of the highway. The start of the Blue Mountains

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includes the lovely villages of Lapstone, Glenbrook, Blaxland, Springwood and Faulconbridge. This area features impressive waterfalls, swimming holes, national park walks and art & craft galleries. Blaxland, named after explorer Gregory

Blaxland (1771-1852) provides the opportunity to examine Lennox Bridge. Built in 1883, it formed part of the Great Western Highway until 1926. Springwood follows Warrimoo and Valley Heights and was the first town named in the Blue Mountains, second only in size to Katoomba.

Tues 3 – Fri 6 Jan 2017 Thurs 12 Jan 2017 Holiday Workshop – Etching for Mon 9 – Thurs 12 Jan 2017 Students Start at the Glenbrook Visitor Centre Life Drawing Summer School Bleu MountainsNorman Accommodation and 14 Tourism Lindsay Gallery, NormanAssociation The walking track from John Whitton Norman Lindsay Gallery, 14 Advertisement Norman for iMAG Visitor Guide Lindsay Crescent, Faulconbridge. Memorial Place leads you to the Lindsay Crescent, Faulconbridge. Experiment with dry point to get a variety Knapsack Viaduct. (Lapstone) size 115 of x expressive 80 mm landscape effects. Students will learn Explore your creative side inAdv the magical how to use an etching press and ink up Bluff Lookout overlooks the Glenbrook grounds of Norman Lindsay Gallery in this fun workshop held in Norman Gorge and Glenbrook Creek. with four days of life-drawing. Cost Lindsay’s original etching studio. You Adjacent to Warrimoo Station is includes experienced tutor, models, use will create your own original etchings Ardill Park, a great resting place. of easels and morning tea. Suitable for using a variety of scribes and chine colle techniques and print onto Japanese both beginners and more experienced VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE paper. Please bring a snack for morning drawers. Time: 9am – 1pm. Entry: $300 Great Western Hwy, Glenbrook tea. Time: 10am – 12.30pm for 7 – 11 per person. Bookings required. Open Mon-Sat 8.30am to 4pm and years, 1.30pm – 4pm for 12 – 15 years. P: 4751 1067 8.30am - 3.00pm Sun. closed Christmas Day Entry: $35 includes materials. Bookings www.normanlindsay.com.au Ph: 1300 653 408 essential. P: 4751 1067 www.bluemountainscitytourism.com.au www.normanlindsay.com.au

What to See & Do

...will take you there!

The Norman Lindsay Gallery & Museum A magnificent collection of paintings, sculpture and ship models displayed in the artist’s former home. • Landscaped Grounds • Cafe • Specialist Print and Book Shop • Home of ‘The Magic Pudding’

Looking for… ... something to do… … someplace to eat… … somewhere to stay…

eat

OPEN DAILY 10am to 4pm (02) 4751 1067

National Trust

Closed Christmas Day 14 Norman Lindsay Cres. Faulconbridge

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ins a t n u o M e lu B … in the

play stay

Mid Mountains There are many reasons to stop and stay in the Mid Mountains. There are five towns to discover and explore. Lawson has slowly risen like a phoenix and reclaimed her place as a major stopover. There are still some vacancies in the new shopping complex, but those that are occupied are humming. As Lawson now has twelve food businesses, you will certainly find a cuisine to suit your taste. From takeaway to fine dining, Chinese to Chocolate, pop in and be spoilt for choice. Lawson has more waterfalls than any other town, perfectly placed to enjoy the coolness of shaded tracks. The Empire Pass Track passes through temperate rainforest in North Lawson. There are four waterfalls to visit on this track, Frederica Falls, St Michaels Falls, Dantes Glen Falls and Fairy Falls. The South Lawson Waterfall Circuit is three kilometres long and traverses passes four very different waterfalls: Adelina Falls, sand lined Federal Falls, Cataract Falls and Junction Falls - an amphitheatre of cascading water. This historic walking circuit is popular with locals and is just over one kilometre from the Lawson Railway Station. There is a car park just opposite Flinders Street on Honour Avenue. There are also many Fire Trails throughout the Mid Mountains, which were once open to vehicles, but have been closed and now only walkers and cyclists enjoy the wide well maintained dirt roads. Faulconbridge Farm is a modern day treasure island. You are sure to enjoy fossicking around the Farm. There are so many little nooks and crannies to discover you can conduct your own

Summer Rain in Lawson © Nyla Thomas

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treasure hunts. The Farm is open from 10.00am – 4.00pm Wednesday to Sunday. Lawson parkrun is a FREE weekly 5km event for runners of all standards, which takes place every Saturday at 8:00am in North Lawson Park, St Bernards Drive, Lawson. It is not a race against other runners, but a 5km timed run and it can really be whatever you want it to be, whether it's for fun or as part of your training plan. It offers an opportunity for all the local community, male or female, young or old, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy this beautiful park and get physically active into the bargain. Everyone is encouraged to jog or run together irrespective of your ability – this event is truly open to all and best of all it really is FREE! Taking part This photo shows how the eucalyptus tree has evolved over time to produce its own firestarters. Not only do the eucalyptus trees evaporate flammable eucalyptus oil that creates the lovely blue haze that gives the iconic Blue Mountains their name, but also the bark sloughs off and gathers around the base. All it takes is bolt of lightning or a stray cigarette butt and this whole tree will erupt into flames. Some eucalyptus trees shed their bark in such long strands they get caught up in the wind and can fly well ahead of a fire and start spot fires. If you are planning to go bushwalking, be vigilant and check the weather forecast. Very hot, dry, and windy days are not days to go bushwalking. Check the entrance signage to each town for the large red sign indicating a Total Fire Ban. On these days be very careful where you dispose of cigarette butts. Also look

is easy – just register before your first ever parkrun. The great thing is that you only ever need to do this once! Then just set your alarm for Saturday morning and get yourself there! So whether you are a complete novice looking to get yourself started on your own "running journey" or a seasoned athlete wanting to use this as a part of your training schedule, you’re welcome to join them.

What to See & Do Woodford Academy Walk the North Lawson Waterfall Circuit

Ride the Oaks Fire Trail Lawson Swim Centre Rust and Timber Chocolate Bar.

for the fire indicators along the Great Western Highway. If the arm is on Extreme Fire Danger, DO NOT ENTER the bush on these days.

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Faulconbridge Antiques

The Destination in the Blue Mountains for Beautiful Items Faulconbridge Antiques is located on the Great Western Highway heading west, the next village after Springwood. This is a beautifully presented shop which is filled with a wonderful mix of fine quality furniture, ceramics, art glass and silver. It provides a classic blend of old and new, so you will be inspired and spoilt for choice with the large selection of decorative items. There’s sure to be something to tempt you! Faulconbridge Antiques is the only authorised retailer of world famous contemporary Moorcroft Art pottery UK, Steve Smith Ceramics UK (the world’s finest freehand painted ceramics) & Anita Harris Art Pottery

Royal Crown Derby Old Imari Solid Gold Band Round Trinket Box

UK, West of Sydney. They are also the exclusive retailers in the Blue Mountains Region for Royal Crown Derby, Royal Doulton and Waterford Crystal. With new items arriving weekly you are sure to find something to inspire you for your home or as a special gift. Many choices for gifts.

Royal Crown Derby Prestige African Cheetah Ltd Ed. 100

Events in the Mid Mountains

Royal Crown Derby Darley Abbey © Nyla Thomas Harlequin Cups & Saucer Set

FAULCONBRIDGE ANTIQUES THE ONLY AUTHORISED RETAILER FOR ROYAL CROWN DERBY IN NEW SOUTH WALES

OPEN 7 DAYS - Phone 02 4751 7627 448a Great Western Hwy, Faulconbridge, NSW 2776 www.faulconbridgeantiques.com 14 www.monthlyimag.com.au

Summer Exposure Daily (Thu 15 Dec - Sun 15 Jan 2017) 10am to 4pm - Free entry Braemar Gallery 104 Macquarie Road Springwood 4723 5046 Summer classes at Norman Lindsay Gallery Life Drawing Summer Schools Tuesday 3 Jan to Thursday 12 Jan Etching for Students: Holiday Workshop Thursday 12 January Intaglio Printmaking for Adults Saturday 14 January Norman Lindsay Gallery 14 Norman Lindsay Crescent Faulconbridge - 4751 1067 Springwood Australia Day Festival Thursday 26 January Burns Road, Springwood - 4754 3537 ‘Getting to Know You’ Exhibition Every day until Thursday 05 January Lyttleton Stores 1 Badgery Crescent, Lawson 4759 3478 Car Boot Sale Sunday 01 January Yellow Rock Guide Hall 233-243 Singles Ridge Rd, Yellow Rock jennyparfitt@outlook.com Summer Reading Program Monday 02 January - Tues 31 January 10am – 12.00pm 0 - 12 yrs and 13 - 16 yrs Springwood Central Library 104 Macquarie Road, Springwood 4723 5040

Wentworth Falls Wentworth Falls, one of the most beautiful Blue Mountains towns, offers possibly the most spectacular bushwalks and views. At the top of Boddington hill, turn left into Tableland Road then left into Queen Elizabeth Drive. Take the left hand fork at the end for a 10 km drive to one of the most remote and beautiful picnic grounds in the Blue Mountains, Ingar Picnic Ground. The area known as ‘Kings Tableland’ offers almost haunting views. Care must be taken within this area to

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preserve the ancient Aboriginal site, Kings Table. It has been calculated via carbon dating that the land was occupied some 22,000 years ago!

What to See & Do Enjoy the fabulous sunsets with views

Allow at least a day to enjoy the area. From Falls Road start the Charles Darwin Walk, well sign posted. Explore Wentworth Falls Village with its shops, golf course and Lake

on the northern side of the Highway.

Walking on the Wild Side

Yester Grange Estate Yester Grange is the Blue Mountains premier venue for couples seeking a truly unique wedding and special events venue. Nestled in 10 acres of totally private parkland and garden at the top of Wentworth Falls waterfall. The rolling expanse of green lawn reaches from the magnificent Victorian mansion, to touch the thousands of hectares of World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains Wilderness that lies beyond. The views are breathtaking and the atmosphere will leave your guests spellbound! Yester Grange is a truly unique property and no amount of words or photographs can ever do it justice. It is a venue which simply must be inspected to be believed. Inspections strictly by appointment only. Please phone to arrange a convenient time for us to show you around the property and to discuss menu selection and arrangements for your very special day. Ph: 4757 1110 events@yestergrange.com.au www.yestergrange.com.au

Get your Zoofari Lodge experience Today! Ring the reservations team to book the ultimate Zoofari adventure! (02) 6881 1488 https://goo.gl/JBAOAw IMAG ZOO COMPETITI

ON WINNER!

Win Free Passes to Taronga Western Plains Zoo! Your iMag magazine has free passes to give away to Western Plains Zoo. For your chance to win one of these passes, simply send us an envelope with your name phone number and address on the back addressed to: “IMAG ZOO COMPETITION” PO BOX 602, LITHGOW NSW 2790

Congratulations!!! The 2 day family zoo pass to Taronga Western Pla ins Zoo was won by D Wohlwen d, Leura NSW

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is located in Dubbo in Central New South Wales. The Zoo is open every day from 9am - 4pm. For more information visit www.taronga.org.au or contact 6881 1400.

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the mountain heritage, katoomba Sit, relax and enjoy the views while we serve you this Christmas Begin with a welcome glass of bubbly, then enjoy a five course lunch in our beautiful restaurant overlooking the Jamison Valley. Sunday 25th December 2016 Adults $149 • Children (5-12 years) $69 Children under 5 years Complimentary Children’s package includes free soft drink Bon Bons for all Resident Pianist Alan Johnson

Bookings Essential contactus@mountainheritage.com.au • (02) 4782 2155 Gosford

Phone: 4782 2155 or visit us at www.mountainheritage.com.au View menus and package deals online or follow us on Facebook!

This Festive Season

Just like Christmas the Mountain Heritage is timeless, capturing to perfection the romance & charm of yesteryear while providing all the services and facilities of today. New Years Eve & Valentines Day will be open for dinner, full a la carte menu and Alan Johnson on piano. Accomodation specials on our website. Sit and enjoy the views while we serve you on your special occasion. Visit www.mountainheritage.com.au for details on our menus and special break packages.

Leura Village You’ve reached what is now referred to as the Upper Blue Mountains, where cool climate plants are the focus of many a garden. The natural wonders of Leura can be discovered via the many walks. A great place to start is Sublime Point Road. Here you will find one of the world’s most spectacular golf courses as well as the popular Fairmont Resort. Many events are held here. Trolley Tours can tell you about the walks. Rivalling Katoomba as the most visited location in the Blue Mountains, Leura offers The Mall, a shoppers paradise alive with

www.bluemountainsimag.com.au cafes, restaurants, boutiques, galleries. You must not miss a visit to the multi-awardwinning Josophan’s Chocolates – see if you are able to organise a tasting. They also have a shop down in Sydney. Megalong Books has the most amazing range of the most amazing books on so many subjects I keep wondering how they do it! The staff are also so knowledgeable and helpful. Come to Leura just for fun or for some really serious bargains… but come you must… it is so special!

What to See & Do

Toy and Railway Museum, located within Leuralla mansion. Olympian Park featuring a natural amphitheatre with spectacular views. Leura Cascades along Cliff Drive is a peaceful setting for a family picnic or BBQ From the Cascades you can leisurely walk to several waterfalls including Leura, Linda, Lila and Bridal Veil Falls. You can also walk to Copelands Lookout and Flying Fox Lookout.

Bygone Beautys’ Roaring 20s Traditional High Tea Returns with a Twist This February brings the much anticipated annual Roaring 20s and All That Jazz Festival back for another year of glamour, grandeur and decadence in the Blue Mountains. And with it will return the indulgent Bygone Beautys’ special Traditional High Tea event Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend. This year’s festival event, however, will bring even more decadence to the table with a Traditional High Tea Supreme, which will include an additional hot course as well as a complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival. Through an opulent display of sparkling diamonds, visitors will be transported back to the Roaring Twenties, experiencing the full charade of 1920s grandeur set amongst

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a lavish backdrop of a charming old-world dining room. Tables adorned with an impressive array of shimmering diamonds, sparkling champagne, as well as silver pots and fine bone china; guests will be amazed at just how many diamonds will fit on the table. Guests will enjoy complimentary champagne in crystal flutes upon arrival with mini quiches, sausage rolls and vegetarian roulades. Then, grandly presented silver service on an afternoon tea tray-mobile, finely rolled crustless sandwiches, an assortment of homemade tea cakes and biscuits, homemade baby scones with freshly whipped cream and strawberry jam, and your choice of specialty loose leaf tea or

coffee. While waiters are dressed in top and tails to deliver this decadent delight, guests will be transported back to the leisure of decades past. This event will be held at 2:00pm on each Saturday and every second Sunday during February (4th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 25th and 26th February 2017). Bookings are essential and can be made by phone: 02 4784 3117 or email: info@bygonebeautys.com.au (specify Roaring 20s Festival). Recently renovated, Bygone Beautys also includes a museum space featuring over 5,500 teapots, function room, formal tearoom and retail area specialising in all things tea-related. Bygone Beautys is open seven days a week

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Food & Wine Lunches, Talks, Tours, Workshops & more

12 Jan to 28 Feb 2017

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183 THE MALL, LEURA (02) 4784 1302

Email: books@megalongbooks.com.au Web: www.megalongbooks.com.au

Blue Mountains History, Maps and Guidebooks

www.SFBM.com.au

Facebook.com/slowfood.bluemountains

DVDs and Classical Music CDs

Orders Taken Open 7 days

The best books in the mountains! www.bluemountainsimag.com.au

Everglades Gardens

General and Children’s Bookshop

More than 35 Events to Educate, Experience & Enjoy

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and parties, or tour a vineyard and taste the wines. The Summer Harvest Program available: www.SFBM.com.au Follow & Like us: facebook.com/ slowfood.bluemountains

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Events to Educate, Experience & Enjoy Food & Wine Lunches, Talks, Tours, CLIFF Workshops & more at a variety of lovely venues in & around the Blue Mountains There will be cooking demonstrations with tastings and hands-on workshops including traditional rye bread making, soft cheese production, vacola preserving and vegetarian cuisine cooking classes. Learn about backyard bee keeping, foraging for ‘wild food’, pasta making and teapot treasures. Enjoy the taste of Summer at lunches

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Summer Harvest Festival 12 Jan to 28 Feb 2017

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‘Students at the Conservatorium’ QUEENS AV exemplifies all of the characteristic MEGALO NG talents that have become synonymous with Beschi’s outstanding work. His CRAIGE ND years of experience are fully evident in the confidence of his loose, expressive brushwork. His keen sense of composition, skillful use of colour MALVERN and masterly, deceptively-effortless RD technique are the foundations of his practice. Humour, joy and a sense of D nostalgia all combine, cementing him GORDO as one of Australia’s finest watercolour N RD Bridal Veil View artists. OL Y Lookout M

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Lost Bear Gallery is proud to present a major exhibition of new paintings by David Beschi, running through to mid January 2017.

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David Beschi Exhibition

Katoomba Katoomba has something for everyone: entertainment, art galleries, restaurants, trendy cafes, shopping, antiques and collectables, walks and activities, not to mention its being surrounded by ancient natural beauty. The Seven Sisters Of the Gundungurra people commonly referred to as The Three Sisters may be viewed from Echo Point. Many bushwalks start from this point, including the Three Sisters Walk and Giant Stairway.

www.bluemountainsimag.com.au In town, you’ll find an array of boutiques and all seasons clothing, as well as cosy dining experiences to suit all budgets and tastes.

What to See & Do Visit Echo Point Visitor Information Centre for information and views.

Make time to absorb the wonders of the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre with its City Art Gallery, amazing interactive World Heritage Exhibition, Katoomba Library and the ever changing vistas from the viewing platform. An amazing range of programs, exhibitions and events as well as the Cultural Centre Shop and Café. Stay with us to enjoy our award winning area Visit Trolley Tours to book a great tour of your choice maybe including Jenolan Caves or even a horse ride. Enjoy the art and culture walk. VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE Echo Point Rd, Katoomba Open 9am - 5pm daily (Closed Christmas day) Phone: 1300 653 408 www.bluemountainscitytourism.com.au

...will take you there!

BLUE MOUNTAINS CULTURAL CENTRE City Art Gallery I Café I World Heritage Exhibition I Shop

BLUE MOUNTAINS CULTURAL CENTRE

02 4780 5410 I 30 Parke St Katoomba NSW 2780 Open 10am – 5pm Mon – Fri, 10am – 4pm Sat & Sun

10am – 2pm public holidays (closed Good Friday & Xmas Day)

www.bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au

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Eat in fine-dining restaurants or have coffee and cake in Art Deco cafés. Take guided bushwalks, a 4WD drive, learn to abseil, all in majestic splendour Explore the thriving local art scene. Visit the renovated Scenic World

Blue Mountains Cultural Centre In 2000 the Greater Blue Mountains area was added to the World Heritage List in recognition of the exceptional diversity and integrity of its eucalypt forest communities. The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre features Into the Blue, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Interpretive exhibition. Into the Blue is a fun and interactive exhibition which explores the landscape and history of this unique area. Audiences are invited to navigate their way through these stories through an immersive exhibition experience, introducing them to the richness and wonders of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area.

David Beschi Exhibition Continued from page 19...

from their environment. This allows an otherwise busy scene to instead convey a sense of stillness and peace, of rightness, as though the chefs are given form and existence by their vocation. It encapsulates Beschi’s ability to utilise technique to amplify his subject matter. The mastery that Beschi displays in these and other works in the exhibition, allows him to reduce the subject to the crucial elements and in doing so, to endow them with the potency of the essential.

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Lost Bear Gallery is a leading destination for contemporary art in the Blue Mountains. David Beschi’s exhibition can be viewed daily from 10-5 at 98 Lurline Street, Katoomba. Also visit lostbeargallery.com.au

Female fashion specialising in girls’ sizes 8-16, ladies size xs, s, m, plus ladies & girls’ Hats, scarves, umbrellas, socks, stockings, earrings, hair clips, gloves Gifts & Vouchers

Students at the Conservatorium 19cm x 14cm watercolour on paper

NOW SHOWING UNTIL MID JANUARY

Open 7 days a week Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10am - 5pm, Tues: 10am - 4pm, Thurs 10am-6pm

shop 9, 81-83 town centre arcade Katoomba Street, Katoomba NSW

Ph 4782 4396 Banquet Night 16cm x 38cm watercolour on paper

www.facebook.com/dressychix Twitter @VioletVixen9

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Hydro Majestic looks west

Medlow Bath to Mt Victoria Recent developments in these areas establish this as a centre with attractions to rival those that have made Leura to Katoomba so renowned. Reopening of the Hydro Majestic in November 2014 following upgrades, redevelopment of Redleaf Resort, the opening of Parklands and many other accommodation improvements in the area are attracting new visitors. Combined with more places

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to eat, galleries and a wide variety of new businesses, we now have a newly evolving centre, drawing locals and visitors into a thriving new cosmopolitan area to spend time; to return to, seeking new experiences.

Blackheath

Blackheath at 1065m abve sea level is 114 km from Sydney and most famous for its November Rhododendron Festival. The Blackheath Rhododendron Gardens are in Baccante Street. The town’s shopping centre has a delightfully relaxed village atmosphere. Blackheath is filled with natural beauty and there are many breathtaking views and bush walks to experience. Blackheath is full of colonial history. The first building in Blackheath was "The Scotch Thistle Inn" erected by Andrew Gardner in 1831. The Inn was visited by the renowned scientist Charles Darwin in 1836. The site for "The Scotch Thistle Inn" was located slightly south of the present Gardners Inn Hotel. On the outside of the famous Victory Theatre antique centre is one of the town’s proudest displays, a colourful mural designed by local artist Jenny Kee and painted in 1985 by members of the local community on behalf of the Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre. It has been recently refurbished by this proud community.

Sunset Rock & Mitchell's Ridge Look-outs, beautiful Bushwalks and the Mount Victoria Historical Museum. Some of the Historic buildings are now beautiful 1st class accommodation facilities and combined with their fine food and other restaurants, make staying in Mount Victoria another must for your 'Top of the Mountains Adventure’

What to See & Do The Kanimbla Valley Walking Tracks, which take in Pulpit Rock, Bede’s Lookout, Reinitz Pass and Ross Cave. The array of buildings and boutique shops selling antiques, crafts, etc. The walking track to Victoria Falls. Mount Victoria Historical Museum First release films at Mount Vic Flicks. VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Blue Mountains Heritage Centre End of Govetts leap Road, Blackheath Open 9am - 4.30pm daily (Closed 25th Dec)

Phone: (02) 4787 8877.

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov. au/things-to-do/Visitor-centres/BlueMountains-Heritage-Centre

...will take you there!

Mt Victoria

Offering a range of specialised shoes to help family problem feet feel comfortable Stocking: NAOT - Ecco Florsheim - Waldlaufer Merrell - Semler - Gabriele Josef Seibel - Peter Kaiser Sandler - Rieker - Beautifeel open seven days 4 govetts leap rd blackheath (02) 4787 8263

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Mount Victoria is the most westerly Blue Mountains township - 120 kilometres from Sydney and 1043 metres above sea-level. It is a small very charming historic village originally named 'One Tree Hill' on a map from 1834 - the name changed in 1876 when the first Post Office was built. There is a large number of historic buildings, including the Imperial Hotel -1878, St Peter's Church of England -1874, Closeburn House-1885, The Manor House, built by John Fairfax in 1876 and the Toll Keepers Cottage -1849. In Mount Victoria and close by you have Victoria Falls, Victoria Pass, Mt York, Bede's,

Blue Mountains Heritage Centre

At the end of Govetts leap Road, Blackheath Open everyday except Christmas Day 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Phone: 4787 8877

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah Summer 2016 - 17 Diary of events Sat 17 Dec 2016 – Sun 26 Feb 2017 Mountain Treasures: Trees & Water – A Photographic Exhibition by Peter Hill Visitor Centre, Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah. This exhibition by Katoomba based photographer Peter Hill features photographs shot exclusively in the Blue Mountains. Several years in the making, the images reflect the moods of the mountains as represented by the physical relationships of the trees and water with this precious and wild landscape. This collection ofBMBG-Generic-105x145-0715_Layout limited edition framed and 1 unframed prints encapsulates the

principles of "real photography", where manipulation plays no part and the emphasis is on in-camera captures. Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm daily. FREE Entry. P: 4567 3000 www.bluemountainsbotanicgarden. com.au/What-s-On Sat 21 Jan 2017 The Buzz on Native Bees Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah. Join Megan Halcroft PhD to learn about bees and how they drive biodiversity and support food security. While most bees live solitary livesPage and 1don’t store 1/07/2015 6:10 pm honey, they are the world’s most

THE JUNGLE LODGE

efficient flower pollinators. They are beautiful, diverse and fascinating to watch with about 200 species of native bees calling Sydney and the surrounding regions home. Learn how to encourage many bee species into the garden by conserving or providing nesting habitat. Time: 10.00am – 1.00am. Entry: $25 per person. Not suitable for children. P: 4567 3000 www.bluemountainsbotanicgarden. com.au/What-s-On Thurs 1 Sept 2016 – Tues 28 Feb 2017 Mountain Explorers – Children’s selfguided trail Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah. Can you find the five trail stops? Follow the map to explore the Garden and enjoy fun hands-on activities. Learn about some weird and amazing plants, then answer the quiz questions to solve the puzzle and win a prize! Time: Garden is open 9.00am – 5.30pm (Mon – Fri), 9.30am – 5.30pm (Sat, Sun & Public Holidays). Entry: $6 per child, kits available at the Visitor Information desk. P: 4567 3000 www.bluemountainsbotanicgarden. com.au/What-s-On Sat 17 Dec 2016 – Sun 26 Feb 2017 Mountain Treasures: Trees & Water – A Photographic Exhibition by Peter Hill

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS BOTANIC GARDEN award winning cool climate Garden • beautiful flowering plants in all seasons • inspiring tours • plant themed festivals • gorgeous weddings • Tomah Gardens Restaurant (one hat) GARDEN OPEN Mon to Fri 9 am – 5.30 pm Weekends & public holidays 9.30 am – 5.30 pm Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah. T: 4567 3000 FREE ENTRY bluemountainsbotanicgarden.com.au

the perfect setting for your mountain escape • panoramic views • peaceful • sleeps 10

Visitor Centre, Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah. This exhibition by Katoomba based photographer Peter Hill features photographs shot exclusively in the Blue Mountains. Several years in the making, the images reflect the moods of the mountains as represented by the physical relationships of the trees and water with this precious and wild landscape. This collection of limited edition framed and unframed prints encapsulates the principles of "real photography", where manipulation plays no part and the emphasis is on in-camera captures. Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm daily. FREE Entry. P: 4567 3000 www.bluemountainsbotanicgarden. com.au/What-s-On www.bluemountainsimag.com.au

Hartley & Surrounds The Hartley area provides a great insight into NSW settlement and early Australian History with some wonderful fully restored and operational historic buildings – in addition to the beautifully preserved buildings in Hartley historic village.

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Mutton Falls B& B

A truly unique estate steeped in history and oozing with charm

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www.muttonfalls.com.au find them on Facebook

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• Lovingly restored • Set on 1 acre of country gardens Christmas & New • Enormous fireplace Year packages • Large wood burning agar available • Less than 50 metres from Fish River • Less than 2.5 hours from Sydney CBD • Warm fires and enjoy a hearty Australian breakfast

Mutton Falls B&B

What to See & Do

Hartley is found situated at the bottom of Victoria Pass, on the Great Western Highway in the valley between Mount Victoria and Lithgow. Hartley areas disperse widely on both sides of the Highway.

Visit the area’s renowned Buildings such as the Comet Inn (now a Guest House, B & B with restaurant) and Collit's Inn in Hartley Vale, Rosedale in Little Hartley (now Hartley Valley Holiday Farm) and the old Harp of Erin, Williams Store and Little Hartley Post Office, classified in the National Trust Register and on the National Heritage Commission data base. Many wonderful walks including Lockyers Road Walking Track, one of the most historic walking tracks in the Blue Mountains. The track is one of the original 'roads' used to descend into Hartley Vale. Hand built by convicts. Take the first turn left after Mt Vic Pass to head for a scenic drive down to the Cox’s River, Kanimbla Valley and many awesome picnic spots. Hartley Vet & Animal Centre for all pets and livestock and pet boarding so your pets have a holiday too!

While the original homestead dates from c. 1840, Mutton Falls, built in 1860 by Richard Mutton for the Webb family, was originally used as a farmhouse and dairy and boasts a wonderfully colourful history. More recently, the homestead has been lovingly restored with much character and careful consideration. For some years it has been renowned and awarded as a bed and breakfast and events space. It is now under new management, offering so many options for young and old that you are bound to find something to admirably suit your needs. There are plenty of things to see and do… Visit the Tarana Community Farmers Markets 4th Sunday of every month. Visit the local historic pubs and excellent eateries. Enjoy bush walking, fishing, star gazing at the clear night sky; play board games around the dining table, with a fire in cooler weather; play boules and croquet onsite or golf nearby. There are many wineries close by as well as Lowes Mount Truffles to explore. You may even like to visit and explore Mayfield Garden, or other splendid local gardens. There are Jenolan or Abercrombie Caves to explore. Or simply unwind and relax in this beautiful place – it’s up to you. Check out the website at www.muttonfalls.com.au and find them on Facebook Bookings 0449 647 423 or 0263 375 818 info@muttonfalls.com.au 397 MUTTON FALLS ROAD, TARANA, NSW 2787

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RV Friendly

Wallerawang/Portland In 1863 Thomas Murray selected land that would later become the site of Portland and he established the first lime kiln on the corner of Lime and Villiers Streets. Both Portland and Wallerawang are blessed with two historic public houses, schools, fascinating historic buildings, lakes and fishing streams, delightful little stores and friendly people. Portland is famous as the Town that built Sydney due to its Cement works and Wallerawang is famous for its Black Gold (coal) associations with Delta electricity. Portland’s Crystal Theatre hosts cinema as well as art shows and is famous for its street fairs. Portland’s big swimming pool has celebrated 50 years and Wallerawang’s historic old station’s heritage redevelopment has led to a florist, lolly shop, café and art gallery.

The signs of Yesteryear

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With the art, lakes, history, fine dining and comfortable accommodation, it’s worth taking your time to explore these two villages.

What to see & Do

Picnic by Lake Wallace which submerged where Darwin stayed Go sailing or rowing on Lake Wallace where no power boats are allowed Go bird & Wildlife watching at Lake Wallace and around Portland The Portland area is now well known to riders wanting to experience numerous exciting trails in State Forest areas within close proximity to Portland. Explore Wallerawang’s historic old church and school Collect antiques, art or local produce Wallerawang & Portland are RV Friendly!

BUYING, SELLING or LEASING?

The Visitor Information Centres have heaps of information on the range of local activities and accommodation - you may want to stay or come back again!

Enjoy refreshments or a meal while you are here – plenty to choose from Visit Portland’s Bottle Kilns Marvel at the size of the old Cement Works of Portland

at First National Bowyer & Livermore

GNwe ILput you,G first.N LES IY increase in population in 1851 afterU goldB Wallerawang ?GNI S A E L erom re was discovered in the area.r The National o viL 1823. Wallerawang was first surveyed Iney & r

wo School opened 1860. Shale oil mining B la no itaN ts .taslarge 1824 James Walker was granted rif ubegan oyint1867 and the arrived inriF t up erailway w tract of land that was called "Waller1870 with coal hot on its heels in 1873. owang" by the local aboriginal people. St John the Evangelist Church opened in Charles Darwin stayed at "Wallerowang 1881 as a memorial to the Walker/Barton House" (later to become Barton Park) in family. 1836, and in the book "Voyage of the Beagle" he describes the area at the time and the wildlife included a sn o sathat eS sgof number platypus. There was a huge n iteerG eht lla morf maet

Portland a small town 2.5 hours drive from Sydney offers a step back in time with its original shop fronts still displaying working businesses including Gift shops, Cafes, Clubs Pubs and even an old fashioned theatre! In 2001 a group of sign writers known as the Letterheads met in Portland to recreate vintage advertising signs from 1895 to 1945 on the walls of local buildings throughout Portland. This has become a popular attraction to locals and ua.mo c.ldna bnf visitors. 5215 5 536 20 First National Bowyer and Livermore wouldelike tore wish rom In 2011 to celebrate 10 years the sign viL & re y writers returned to add to the collection. everyone a happy and safe Festive Season. This has now become an annual event. Your local and knowledgeable team can help you with On the last weekend in October you will find Signs of Yesteryear being painted on all your Residential and Rural Real Estate needs. Shop walls and buildings around Portland. The advertising signs can be seen from the The Residential, Rural and Livestock street and are visible every day of the year. Specialists Servicing the Central West Ph: 02 6355 5125 This is a great opportunity for 3 Wolgan Street (PO BOX 37) Portland NSW 2847 photographers to capture the art work Email: portland@fnbandl.com.au of sign writers and muralists reproducing 02 6355 5125 fnbandl.com.au Bowyer & Livermore www.fnbandl.com.au advertising art works.

Happy New Year!Seasons

Greetings from all the team

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Lithgow

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What to See & Do Lithgow is renowned as a learning City offering two Universities; a glorious valley set amidst mountain splendour. Lithgow is also rich in tradition and culture with diverse ecosystems. Immerse yourself in Aboriginal tradition, step back in time to an era where steam dominated transport and when industry was our backbone Discover Lithgow’s accessible wilderness. With tranquil vistas and

serene landscapes, the environment is abundant in wildlife and picturesque mountain panoramas. Great for camping! The Lithgow region is nature’s playground. Canyoning and rock climbing, in areas ten times older than the Grand Canyon, are experiences never to be forgotten. There are also magnificent 4WD tracks to explore walks and bike tracks galore. The choice of adventure is up to you.

Camp on the shores of Lake Lyell for

wildlife encounters and speed boating.

Visit the nationally significant Small Arms Factory Museum. Go bird watching, with a guide. Visit the award winning wetlands to see how many different plants and animals you can identify. Take a helicopter view of this surprising area. Go on a tour with the people who have lived here for thousands of years.

So Many Options at Lake Lyell Recreational Park On the outskirts of Lithgow NSW, the huge recreational park at Lake Lyell has long offered pet friendly camping, awesome fishing, heaven for artists photographers and wildlife enthusiasts and a range of water sports. Now there is also an inflatable floating water park permanently located on the huge dam. This inflatable fun park called Aqua Blitz is made by Wibit, an internationally renowned company whose products are popular in 60 countries. In Australia there are only three other Wibit products - at Airlie Beach, Darwin and the Gold Coast. The team at Lake Lyell is proud to offer memorable experiences for the whole family from cooling off in Aqua Blitz to bountiful fishing, including another recently released 10,000 Rainbow Trout. Bring your pets on holiday with you to stay at this centrally located hive of activity. The whole family can enjoy their various favourite activities with access to surrounding areas and events or take some time out to unwind and relax in a spectacular environment. For information on Aqua Blitz or other features on offer phone Lake Lyell Recreation Park on (02) 6355 6347 during business hours, check out their website or connect with them on Facebook.

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Lake Lyell Recreation Park Camping unpowered $22 per night, powered $27 per night. Cabins from $60 - $125 per night. Day entry $5 per vehicle. Kayak hire - $15/hour $40/4hours. Kiosk hot food, ice cream, coffee, fishing equipment, bait, boating equipment and necessities. Free BBQ facilities, picnic area and play equipment. Hot showers Lot 56, Magpie Hollow Road, Lithgow, NSW, 2790 Ph: (02) 63556347 - lake.lyell@bigpond.com www.facebook.com/LakeLyellRecreationPark http://lakelyellrecreationpark.com.au/

Lithgow

Surprisingly diverse

For a free copy of the

Lithgow Visitor Guide

Lithgow Visitor Information Centre Great Western Highway, (PO Box 19 Lithgow NSW 2790) T: 1300 760 276 or (02) 6350 3230, F: (02) 6350 3239 E: tourism@lithgow.com

www.tourism.lithgow.com

www.facebook.com/LithgowTourism www.twitter.com/lithgowtourism www.instagram.com/lithgow_tourism

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Oberon - Bathurst - Mudgee At 1,113m, Oberon is the highest town in the Blue Mountains region. It is the perfect hub from which to explore a multitude of unique attractions, towns & villages, including Jenolan Caves and Kanangra Boyd National Park. With four distinct, idyllic seasons and the most beautiful scenery in rural NSW, a visit to the region will reward & delight. Oberon is surrounded by interesting villages and National Parks. Jenolan Caves, Kanangra Boyd National Park, Blue Mountains National Park and Abercrombie River National Park are in the shire and contain spectacular scenery. Oberon can be used as a base from which to undertake day trips to the various villages and attractions within the region. VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE Oberon Visitor Information Centre Cnr Ross Street & Edith Road, Oberon Phone: (02) 6329 8210 E: obta@oberonweb.com www.oberonaustralia.com

What to See & Do

Be sure to call in to the Visitor Info Centre for information on all the wonderful things to see and do The VIC has the extensive list of splendid gardens open during all seasons, including parts of Mayfield The VIC has 4 Cycling maps of the area with more being prepared, also info on Cycling Events Go trout fishing in Lake Oberon all year round. See the VIC for info on Fishing Season and licenses Try your luck sapphire fossicking Try mushroom picking, taking care to pick only edible varieties – the Oberon Visitor Information Centre has brochures on these' Go horse riding through the magically beautiful landscape Explore the wild places by 4WD Evans Crown Nature Reserve and Kanangra Walls offer both relaxing and challenging walks You MUST make time for multi-

award winning Jenolan Caves, the most spectacular limestone caves in Australia, maybe stay there - the beauty above and below ground is inspirational. Get the app! Visit Oberon & District Museum, Scotia Avenue, (02)63361016 Visit the Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway 10-2 first Saturdays, North St.

Summer Fairyland Summer in Oberon is for the Fairies for sure! Come and join them for a truly great range of magical experiences to suit any taste. There is accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes in the area and surrounds. There are activities from the most thorough unwinding and romantic to extreme challenge, with award winning visitor centre staff to assist you with your choices. The gardens and fresh produce are at their best, the fish are biting, mushrooms and gems are waiting to be found… This Summer is Fairyland at its best so come on up!

PI N E H

ILL

P OR

...will take you there!

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JENOLAN CABINS Brett Whiteley: West of the Divide 25 November 2016 – 29 January 2017

42 Edith Rd, Jenolan Caves Ph: 02 6335 6239 M: 0418 619 709 E: relax@jenolancabins.com.au

www.jenolancabins.com.au

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An Art Gallery of New South Wales and Brett Whiteley Studio touring exhibition developed in partnership with the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre

Principal sponsor of the Brett Whiteley Studio

70-78 Keppel St, Bathurst, NSW 2795 | (02) 6333 6555 | www.bathurstart.com.au IMAGE: Brett Whiteley Summer by the River of Plums 1985-1986, triptych: oil & collage on canvas. 86 x 259 cm. Brett Whiteley Studio Collection © Wendy Whiteley. Photo: AGNSW

Bathurst Region – Full of life A great city to visit, a perfect place to stay. Whether you’re in Bathurst for a day or a week you’ll find plenty to keep you busy. Start at the Visitor Information Centre where you’ll find a meticulously restored Cobb & Co coach from the 1860s beside a 1909 Brush car, one of the first motor vehicles to cross the Blue Mountains. The Centre stocks a wide range of information, from self-driving or walking tours to picnic spots and outdoor activities. Wander through the streets, parks and gardens soaking up the history of the oldest inland settlement in Australia. Right in the heart of the city Machattie Park provides a tranquil spot to rest and relax. Just next door is the magnificent Bathurst Court House and opposite that the magnificent War Memorial Carillon is flanked by the Evans Memorial and the Boer War Memorial.

What to See & Do

Visit the T Rex in Fossil & Mineral Museum. Visit one of the beautiful villages in this region such as Peel and Wattle Flat on the way to Sofala, the oldest VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE Bathurst Visitor Information Centre 1 Kendall Avenue, Bathurst Phone: 1800 68 1000 E: visitors@bathurst.nsw.gov.au www.visitbathurst.com.au

...will take you there!

Wide Selection of lollies new,retro & USA brands. Unique gifts for all ages. Balloons bouquets & lots more

surviving gold town in Australia. Visit historic Perthville and maybe have a wagon ride. Bathurst District Historical Museum and the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery are full of treasures

Mudgee District The Mudgee Region is located 270 km north west from Sydney, NSW. Elevation 454m (1490 ft). The region is home to 22,000 people whose median age is 41 years. The region includes the historic towns of Gulgong, Kandos, Mudgee and Rylstone. Mudgee has a mild climate - Mean Max. Temperature: 23.0°C (73°F) Mean Min. Temperature: 8.3°C (47°F) Annual Rainfall: 673.9 mm (26.5 in) Standing on the small hill behind the

Montrose Winery it can readily be understood why the original Aboriginal inhabitants named this part of Australia Mudgee, meaning Nest in the Hills. With a viticultural history that stretches back to 1858, Mudgee has played a key role in Australian viticultural history. At Mudgee Small Farm Field Days and other events you can explore much of the best that the region has to offer but why not stay longer to get the most out of your experience?

PLANNING YOUR TRIP

When planning your trip to Bathurst or Mudgee don’t hesitate to call in to our friendly Visitor Information Centres to plan the best options to suit you or even phone ahead or go online to check out your options to ensure you make the most of your trip.

Hartley and Oberon Veterinary & Animal Centre Our dedicated team is always here for your pets & livestock Our Veterinary Hospital provides modern, professional and affordable health care for your pets. We aim to make your pet feel at ease in our clinic with a caring and gentle approach to treatment and consultations. Our dedicated staff and leading veterinarians are all passionate about pets and are avid animal lovers. At our Veterinary Hospital, you’ll be fully supported with sound advice first and foremost. We know that helping our clients starts with providing a good understanding of health care issues and treatment options. With good advice and professional recommendations, you’ll be well equipped to make the best ongoing health care decisions for all your animals. With fully equipped examination rooms, diagnostic machines and pharmaceutical stores we provide on-the-spot assistance for nearly all pet health and medical needs. Take a moment to meet our team and our own pets. We look forward to seeing you and

your pet at the next scheduled visit. A big part of our local community Our Veterinary Hospital is a sister clinic to Oberon Veterinary & Animal centre. Oberon Hospital has been an integral part of our local community for years. In that time, we’ve helped thousands of our clients’ cats & dogs, rabbits, pigs, birds, horses, cattle, alpaca and even a few rats. Being so strongly integrated with our local community is important to us and our clients. Our customers know by experience that they can rely on us for sound advice and treatment options and that their animal is in the very best hands with our team. We stock Royal Canin Dog & Cat food along with Advance and Hills Science range. The clinic also has a new range of Ezydog accessories including leads, collars, harnesses and safety devices for vehicle travel. Contact us regarding the following: Grooming • Dog Boarding • Cat Boarding Equine Clinics • Puppy Pre-school

special gifts & holiday planning options Mon– Fri 9am – 6pm Sat 9am-12pm

2/62 George St Bathurst 2795

Find us on Facebook

Animal Centre

PH: 6355 2272

PH:6336 6336 1596 PH: 1596

5 Baaners Lane Little Hartley www.hartleyvetcentre.com.au

94 OberonStreet, Oberon www.oberonvetcentre.com.au

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Orange and Districts Orange, known as Australia’s Colour City with its four distinct seasons is located in Central NSW, 3 ½ hours from Sydney and within easy reach of the Blue Mountains. You will discover a welcoming city full of life, fruitful landscapes, historical buildings, diverse shopping, art and culture to surprise you and some of the best food and wine in Australia. Continuing to build its reputation for cool climate wines renowned for the regions flavour and quality and now supports more than 30 cellar doors. It is Australia’s cool climate wine region where the topography ranges from Mt

Canobolas at 1,395 metres down to around 600 metres. The combination of distinct seasons, rich soils, climate, sloping ground and glorious sunlight cause a slow maturation and ripening allowing a great intensity of fruit. Begin your journey into another country: Orange, the highest altitude wine region in Australia. Orange is surrounded by areas rich in diversity including Blayney and Molong in Cabonne country on the way to Dubbo. There is so much to explore and enjoy in these regions!

More to meet the eye at Lucknow Lucknow 8 klm east of Orange is a 60 klm speed zone and a great place to stop and explore off the beaten track. It is full of history and you never know what treasure you may find at 2 Fat Ladies, especially now they are so much larger! Local art is on display and for sale in the café and coffee shop area.

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What to See & Do

Take a vignerons tour around the 30+ cellar doors. Ascend majestic Mt. Canobolas, walk to the spectacular Federal Falls then try out your canoe at Lake Canobolas below. Pleasure your palate with the wonderful fresh food and produce that abounds in Orange and its districts. Take a trip into the eerie limestone world of Tunnel Cave at Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve – take a torch. Visit the Orange Regional Gallery for an collection of unique art, photography and culture. Shopping choices abound in the City and surrounding shires to suit all tastes and budgets in fashion, antiques, homewares, arts, tools, jewellery, books, gardening and agriculture… the list is endless… Orange Visitor Information Centre 9 - 5 everyday except Christmas Day Corner Byng St & Lords Pl Orange NSW Phone: 02 6393 8226 - 1800 069 466 E: tourism@orange.nsw.gov.au www.visitorange.com.au

...will take you there!

Enjoy the sunshine and change of season in our new range colours and styles. Sizes 8- 24 Come in store to see the beautiful gelato colours, with ranges from Ms Divine, Vigorella, threadz, Clarity and many more. Your wardrobe will get the light and colourful boost it needs to bring it into Summer We are a wonderful destination for the whole family with Molly’s Lollies, our Café and Fashion all in one stop. Plus we run workshops and events in store call us on 6365 5437 or find us on Facebook to learn more.

Now at Lucknow AND Molong! Mitchell Highway, Lucknow 2800 Ph: 6365 5437

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What’s happening at Bissys Café? Bissys Café Well known for their Egg and Bacon rolls not to mention all the food is made and cooked onsite. They use the herbs, spices and produce grown in their permaculture gardens. It’s a joy to watch them prepare their food and even better to eat food that you know doesn’t contain preservatives. If you’re there early enough in the morning your eggs will be straight from the hen house, from the back yard at Bissys to the kitchen. It doesn’t get any fresher than that. Well known for their “Zero Mile Diet” Bissys Emporium With Christmas so near now is the time to venture into Bissys and visit our Emporium. Full of gifts like wall art, baby cake hampers, school teacher gifts or something for your special friend. Not to mention the delightfully smelling Scentsy range, pot plants and local produce. If you’re looking for a gift to mark off someone’s bucket list how about a Bissys Café gift voucher for a Tandem, Trike or mountain bike hire. A gourmet hamper, or use the voucher to shop in our emporium or dine in at our café.

From all of us here at 2 Fat Ladies, may your Christmas be bright and cheerful and may you enjoy a safe and happy new year!

Permaculture Orange Have you ever wondered what a permaculture garden looked like? Yes, then call in to Bissys Café at Orange and have a look around. There’s the five permaculture principles that permeate from zone 1 (the café) and the educational signage is going in place as we speak. Fiona, one of the owners of Bissys Cafe and permaculture designer and consultant, is usually available onsite and is happy to talk about the wonders of permaculture. The healing properties of certain herbs and foods. The integration and combining of systems to make a sustainable and low cost garden. Plus the use of free commodities such as the sun, rain and insects just to name a few. Keep an eye on the new Bissys Website www.bissys.com.au for Permaculture educational courses held at Bissys Café and the new building at Cargo NSW with the Educational centre and tourist attractions. Farm Yard and Craft If you were wondering about the kids they’re taken care of too. On Saturday and Sundays there is craft from 9am till 10am and then the farm yard is open from 10am till 11am Petting of the animals and feeding is available with chance to see the eggs collected and learn about animals and their care. Volunteers Welcome With so many great things happening at Bissys Café and the educational centre, this doesn’t all happen by itself. Bissys Café have for the past 5 years been welcoming both local and International volunteers to help with the care of animals and gardening. The great thing about volunteering is you pick your hours of work and gain some important skills while enjoying the wonderful environment. We support workers from Help X, Workaway and Wwoof . For more information about each of these organisations google each one and you will find what you need. Leading the way in diversity As you can see after reading above Bissys Café is more than just a really unique café. The owners Paul and Fiona work at the café and on days off will be found at their Permaculture Educational centre. The environments they create are unique, abundant, friendly and diverse. If you’re keen to learn more about Bissys Café then call in to Orange NSW and you will find them on the corner of Anson and Warrendine street. You can’t miss them they have all the beautiful artwork that surrounds the outside of the building.

Cafe

Throw your Business card in our glass jar to go into the draw for a $20 platter! Zero Mile Diet

https://www.facebook.com/Bissys

www.facebook.com/Gymbarooorange

www.facebook.com/FipasWorld

88 Warrendine St Orange www.bluemountainsimag.com.au

Outdoor Summer Season 8 WHEN IN ROME...

The Leura Shakespeare Festival Sport for Jove’s acclaimed Summer Shakespeare Season, now in its 8th successful year, has become a must-see on the NSW theatrical calendar. This year we go on a Roman Holiday – the epic tale of Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra, directed by Michael Pigott and Damien Ryan, told together in the frenzy and accessibility of the Festival atmosphere, outdoors and full of feasting and invention.

Shakespeare looked to the Roman past not out of historical curiosity but to awaken us to the struggles, fears and possibilities of our present – our relationships to power, to loyalty, to freedom, to violence, to idealism and to civic duty. But above all he turned to the famous characters and events of an ancient age in order to imagine new futures – “How many ages hence shall this, our lofty scene, be acted over in states unborn and accents yet unknown” Julius Caesar Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra are two of his greatest plays – famed for their clarity, political modernity, poetry and their extraordinary pantheon of characters, real men and women who defined the very pulse of their age and who are rekindled in the possibilities of every political leader and every political machination of the 21st Century. Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Augustus, Portia, Cassius, Brutus, Agrippa. Their rise and thunderous fall threw down to us a set of challenges we may never master. How do we lead a nation? How do we follow a leader? What sparks revolution? What suppresses it? What price freedom…? And as the merry-go-round of the Australian Prime Ministership has shown in recent years, politics is as personal as life itself. Love, hate, betrayal, sacrifice, lust, confusion, tyranny – power is a fragile house of cards and every nation stands in its trembling shadow. Join us outdoors this summer for a rampaging look at Rome’s eternal lessons for our contemporary lives. Tickets available for purchase at https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/events/23843.