Pre Tour

A GUIDED 2-DAY HERITAGE EXPLORATION OF AUSTRALIA’S EARLIEST REGIONAL SETTLEMENTS WEST OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, JENOLAN CAVES AND HILL END HISTORIC SITE / WIRADJURI, GUNDUNGURRA AND DHARUG COUNTRY

Enjoy a guided 2-day heritage exploration of Australia’s earliest regional settlements west of the Blue Mountains.  The settlement of the lands west of the Blue Mountains were an important achievement that was integral to the growth of Australia from a small coastal penal colony to a continental country. During this 2-day tour designed exclusively for ICOMOS, delegates will journey through the spectacular landscape of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area while exploring heritage villages and caves systems.

Credit image – Kevin McGrath and DPIE

Itinerary

0750hrs Please be waiting at the northern end of the International Convention Centre Sydney, Iron Wharf Place for departure for your two-day tour
0800hrs Depart Sydney
  The journey begins with a picturesque drive from the International Convention Centre through the Blue Mountains World Heritage area to the first destination of state heritage significance, Jenolan Caves Reserve.
  Regarded as one of Australia’s most important areas of natural and cultural history, Jenolan Caves Reserve is of state significance for its historical, aesthetic, research and rarity values. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Jenolan Caves Trust have developed a unique day experience in Jenolan Caves exclusively for the ICOMOS delegation.
  The Reserve is highly regarded for the aesthetic qualities of the caves and cave formations, reflected in cave names such as Aladdin and Gem Cave. The caves also demonstrate technological milestones such as the first use of electricity for cave lighting in the 1880s, and the development of hydro-electric power in Australia. The area includes one of the largest and most beautiful interconnected cave systems in Australia and is an outstanding site of geological and speleological interest.
  Following the Jenolan Caves tour travel to the historic town of Bathurst.
  The Bathurst region has been home to the Wiradjuri people for over 40,000 years. They are the people of the three rivers – The Wambool (Macquarie), the Calare (Lachlan) and the Murrumbidgee. The Bathurst Wiradjuri are the most easterly grouping of the Wiradjuri nation.
  Bathurst was proclaimed by European settlers in May 1815 and is the oldest European settlement of the Australian inland. The flag staff that proclaimed the town and surrounding land for colonial interests was the first gazetted point west of the Blue Mountains in the whole of Australia. This area was important to the early pastoral settlement of the inland playing a crucial role in the colony’s transformation from convict settlement to a nation of free men and women. The settlement of Bathurst has been integral to the transition of Australia, from a small coastal colony to a continental country.
  In the evening, enjoy a fine dining experience at a restaurant situated within an impressive heritage building with accommodation at the Heritage Motor Inn.

Accommodation: Bathurst Heritage Motor Inn x 1 night (4 star)
102 Stewart Street
Bathurst, NSW 2795
Phone: +61 (0)2 6334 3433

0700hrs

Breakfast is available in The Breakfast Room, located within Reception
 

Please settle any incidentals on your room account and check out of your hotel.
0815hrs Please be waiting in the hotel foyer.
0830hrs

Depart the hotel for a full day touring to Hill End Historic Site and Hartley Village.
  After an early breakfast in Bathurst, travel by coach to Hill End Historic Site for an exclusive guided tour provided by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hill End has its origins in the mining and gold rush boom of the 19th century and was reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 based on its exceptional heritage significance to New South Wales and Australia. The historic site contains part of the picturesque village of Hill End, set amongst native woodland habitat within a tablelands landscape of rolling hills. The site also encompasses the outlying Golden Gully, areas of the Tambaroora Village, Valentine Mine and the Cornish Roasting Pits
 

Hill End’s distinctive blend of landscape, gold-mining history and vernacular architecture has continued to attract generations of Australian artists. In the late 1940s Hill End was discovered by artists Russell Drysdale (who painted possibly his best-known work – The Cricketers) and Donald Friend, and quickly became an artists’ colony. Other artists who have worked there include Jean Bellette and Margaret Olley. Today, the Hill End artist-in-residence program aims to ensure the continuity of this connection.
 

At the completion of the Hill End experience, we will commence their journey back to Sydney, travelling via the historic site of Hartley. Here there is an opportunity to undertake a self-guided tour of the village that remains largely intact. showcasing excellent examples of a range of building forms, materials and architectural styles. Hartley is of high historical significance due to its close association with early settlement west of the Blue Mountains, for its role as an early government administrative centre and as a wayside service stop on the journey west from Sydney.
 

At the completion of the tour of Hartley, we travel back to the ICC Sydney, where the tour concludes.
1900hrs

Approximate return to the Sydney.

       Sydney accommodation is not included in the tour.  Please make your own arrangements for accommodation on this night.

Hosted by: New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service
Supported by: Jenolan Caves Trust

Tour Cost:
$660.00 per person based on double occupancy
$760.00 per person based on single occupancy

Tour Inclusions:
• Accommodation as specified (where possible)
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• English speaking commentary
• Breakfast daily and other meals as specified (Breakfast = B, Lunch = L, Dinner = D)

Not Included
• Airfares to/from destination
• Meals other than specified
• Personal expenses
• Beverages & anything not specifically mentioned

Restrictions/Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs or persons with limited mobility

Fitness level: Moderate (Chifley Cave tour in Jenolan Caves has a lot of walking and stairs)

Minimum number of participants: 20

Maximum number of participants: 27

Is French speaking commentary available: No

Image Credit – Kevin McGrath & DPIE

Image Credit – Kevin McGrath & DPIE

Image Credit – J Spencer & DPIE

Image Credit – J Spencer & DPIE

Image Credit – DPIE