Into the Mine – Part 1

The area south west of Wellington is well-known for its caves, even from early colonial times. It was already settled on by the time explorer Thomas Mitchell and his party ventured through in 1835 to trace the course of the Darling River. He was led by the local magistrate, George Rankin, to the caves, where they discovered some peculiar things. But more on that later.

The first thing you notice about the landscape is that it’s, well, lumpy. It’s what is called a karst landscape – the landscape of caves – and apart from the vegetation, it’s similar-looking everywhere you go on earth.

Phosphate Mine

But the interesting things aren’t on the surface, as you might have guessed, but in a WWI phosphate mine. So let’s go underground.

Phosphate Mine

A Rural Japanese Garden – Part 2

The first thing that grabbed me when I stepped into the garden was the beautiful little Japanese maple in the foreground. The second was the uniqueness of the setting. Here was a Japanese garden, with meandering paths and gravel, bridge and water course, mounds and pavillions, right next to a typically Aussie paddock with grazing sheep.

Japanese Gardens

It’s definitely something you don’t see everyday.

A Rural Japanese Garden – Part 1

We stayed at Wellington Caves. Not in the caves, but at the caravan park that was on site. Next to the caravan park was a little bit of an oddity – a Japanese Garden.

Japanese Gardens

Wellington is twinned with the city of Osawano, in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. After googling, I found that the city is west of Nagano, near the west coast of Honshu.

Apart from Cowra, I didn’t know any other NSW country towns with a Japanese garden, so it will be interesting to explore this little place.

Autumn in Lithgow – Part 1

I’m starting a new series today. Hubby was helping out on a weekend excursion to Wellington Caves a few weeks ago, and I tagged along. I will post photos from the trip over the next week or two (or more).

We had a quick stop in Lithgow on our way out west. It was good to glimpse some autumn colour away from Sydney. Different from my last visit in Lithgow, when I visited the blast furnaces.

Autumn in Lithgow

Autumn in Lithgow

Autumn in Lithgow

Autumn in Lithgow