Life in the 1800s along The Tablelands Way

Historic Rail Experiences of The Tablelands Region

Goulburn Railway Station
Goulburn Railway Station was opened by Lord Belmore, Governor of New South Wales, in 1869. The arrival of the railway in Goulburn was a key moment in the development of the town as a major regional centre. It both demonstrated and enhanced its importance to the economy of New South Wales. Suddenly transportation of produce and fine merino wool to Sydney and beyond became simple and Goulburn prospered as a result. The new railway played a big part in Goulburn's boom years in the 1870s and 1880s which saw the development of new industries such as coach-building and iron production.

Mudgee Railway Station
The gold rush brought prosperity to the Mudgee region in the 1870s. The arrival in 1884 of the railway boosted the region’s agricultural production, just as had happened in Goulburn. The railway station is an excellent example of late Victorian Italianate architecture. In the early days of the railway steam engines chugged back and forth along its tracks. Morse code was used to ensure that lines were clear and that trains travelled on schedule. The station, which is no longer in operation, now houses a restaurant and bar.

Bowenfels Railway Station, Lithgow
Bowenfels was the original settlement in Lithgow Valley. It takes its name from George Bowen, who opened up a stock route from the valley to Sydney. Initially Bowenfels served as a coach station. The railway station was opened in 1869 and was a catalyst for growth in coal mining and other industries in the valley.

The Zig Zag Railway
The Zig Zag Railway was built between 1866 and 1869. It was considered an engineering masterpiece of the day. The <Zig Zag Railway’s LT-B2> path carved a ‘Z’ shape into the mountain, reducing the gradient on which the train had to travel. This allowed the train to move safely from the top of the mountains to the valley below. The train carried passengers over the mountains and was critical in promoting the growth of mineral industries, such as oil shale and coal mining.

The line includes three viaducts, which were built from hand carved local sandstone.

A series of ten tunnels was cut through the hills in 1910, replacing the Zig Zag Railway. The system fell into disuse until 1975, when it was reopened and the steam trains returned to its tracks.

The Oberon-Tarana Rail Trail
The <OberonLT-B3> Railway station was built in 1923 to transport passengers, livestock, timber and vegetables. It ceased operation in 1979 and the station now operates as a museum. Beginning at low-lying Tarana the 24km railway line climbs to Oberon, 1100m above sea level. The line was infamous for its steep gradients and very sharp 100m curves. The trip from Oberon to Tarana was thought to be the slowest rail journey of its day. Today a rail trail runs alongside the disused track, which allows cyclists and walkers to experience the twists and turns of the railway. You can head past the granite outcrops of Evans Crown, cross the Fish River, meander through pristine forests and wander past the farmland of the Oberon district.

Early Industrial History of the Tablelands region

The Glen Davis Oil Shale Works
At Glen Davis in the beautiful Capertee Valley lie the ruins of Glen Davis Oil Shale Works, which operated between 1939 and 1952. Oil extracted from shale was used to aid Australia’s war efforts. All that remains today is a collection of furnace ruins, retorts and collapsed shafts, covered in vegetation and surrounded by steep sandstone cliffs and abundant birdlife.

The Glow Worm Tunnel
The tunnel is a relic from the Newnes Oil Shale Works. It once formed a passage for a single gauge railway which carried oil shale to the nearest rail line through the Wolgan Valley. The line was open from 1906 until 1930, when the Oil Shale venture was closed. <The Glow Worm Tunnel> is 40m long and curves through almost 180 degrees. This creates a very dark environment, which is a perfect haven for glow worms.

The Blast Furnace, Lithgow
The remains of the pump house and the foundations of the furnace now stand as a monument to <Lithgow’s LT-B2> industrial past. It was at this site that Australia’s first iron and steel were cast. The furnace operated for over forty years, from 1886 until the relocation of the industry to Port Kembla in 1928. The furnace had a chequered history, moving in and out financial viability. At one point a shareholder, by the name of James Rutherford, became so frustrated by the lack of protection from cheap overseas imports that he blew up the furnace as an act of protest. Initially the local abundance of limestone and iron ore made Lithgow a suitable location for a blast furnace, but the rising cost of rail freight eventually led to its demise.

Yerranderie - The Mining Ghost Town
Yerranderie appeared around the same time as the goldmining town of Hill End. Yerranderie’s population, drawn by its silver and lead mines, grew to reach 2,000 people between 1900 and 1914. It was a thriving community and had its own police station, courthouse and three churches. The mines closed during the First World War. Today the ghost town has been lovingly restored, and also serves as a wildlife sanctuary within an exquisite world heritage setting.

Burraga Chimney Stack
25km south west of Black Springs is Burraga, a copper mining town established in the 1880s. Burraga became the colony’s leading producer of copper until its closure in 1900. At one time, the town’s population reached 6,000. Today it is home to 800 people. Remnants of the mining activity still exist today, including the Burraga Chimney stack, the largest chimney stack in the southern hemisphere.

Stately Homes of The Tablelands Region

Esbank House
Esbank House was built in 1842 for the Lithgow Valley’s first industrialist, Thomas Brown. It now operates as a historic home and museum. Brown was originally from a coal mining area in Scotland and recognised the potential of Lithgow Valley. He was the first to exploit its resources, mining and selling coal to fuel the engines of steam trains. When Brown first arrived in the area he leased a flourmill at Bowenfels, and bought the first 200 acres of land for sale in the area.

Sydmouth Valley Homestead, Tarana

Sydmouth Valley homestead, which was built in the late 1820s, is associated with the early settlement of the area. The valley was the main route between Bathurst and Sydney. The Old Colonial Regency style homestead was originally owned by a grazier and magistrate called Robert Lowe.

Country roads are often narrow and winding.
Bends and curves are often dangerous due to a build up loose dirt and stones.
Be prepared for changing road conditions and surfaces in wet weather.
Always drive to the conditions, which is not necessarily the posted speed limit

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Life in the 1800s along The Tablelands Way (13 images)