Most people probably think caves and Lake Burrendong when the town of Wellington comes to mind, but with a population of 8,850 our neighbour has many other interesting items on its menu for visi- tors.
The town celebrates its bicentenary this year as it is 200 years since John Oxley first crossed into a beautiful glen he named Wellington after the Iron Duke of Wellington who had defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo two years before.
Only 110km from Parkes, the second convict settlement over the Blue Mountains was an important point on the Cobb & Co Trail. You can explore the town’s history with a self-guided walk or guided tour. The Oxley Museum contains a wide range of memorabilia includ- ing a replica period classroom from the Windora Bush School circa 1851.
If you need a nature fix, the Mt Arthur Reserve of 2,100 hectares has six marked walking trails ranging from 30 minutes to a half day trek. There are also parks and gardens to explore with the Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum a nature lover’s paradise. Fern gully is a man-made rainforest situated beneath an enormous suspended, thatched canopy. In the heart of the town is Cameron Park where you can have a picnic and dare to cross the unique suspension bridge over the Bell River.
If you have not been to the caves and phosphate mine, you will be amazed by the 15m high crystal formation in the Cathedral Cave, while you can find out what miners were up to 100 years ago on the phosphate and fossils tour.
Wellington is surrounded by rural villages, each with its own his- tory and experiences. Geurie boasts Australia’s biggest Fuzzy Box tree.
Mumbil has the famous Black Wattle Fair and the unique Chuck- Akubra competition.
Stuart Town was originally known as Ironbark and was made famous by the Banjo Patterson poem, The Man from Ironbark. You can also go gold panning in creeks on the village common.