Oberon – 14^th – 18^th October 2014

This five day / four night tour of the ghost town in the Blue Mountains (Yerranderie), Mayfield Gardens and Oberon Plateau, with Bishops was fully booked early after its advertisement and a waiting list was in place. The cost of the tour was $805 per person twin share ($200 single supplement).

The itinerary for this tour was varied from the original because of the weather and the availability of the NPWS guide.

The following is how the tour was conducted

7.30 am departure from Rawson St Epping outside the Epping Club. Proceeded to Mittagong for a morning tea stop. From here we proceeded to Wombeyan Caves along what could be considered one of the most scenic roads in Australia. The road winds its way through the mountains following the Wollondilly River far below and even passes through a tunnel in the rugged terrain. Our picnic lunch stop is at the Wombeyan Caves reserve where we had plenty of time to visit the Grand Arch Cave and enjoy this beautiful area. From here we drove along quite back roads leading us up onto the Oberon Plateau. We enjoyed the hospitality of the McGrath family at the Big Trout Motor Inn where we stayed for next four nights. This evening it commenced snowing.

A day spent visiting the many pretty little villages of the Central Highlands. At Burraga we see the old copper mines with massive brick chimney then via Rockley and Trunkey Creek to Carcoar for lunch and an inspection of the old court house and museum, Later we visited Barry, Newbridge, Georges Plains, Perthville and O’Connell.

Mayfield Gardens is one the largest privately owned cool climate gardens in the world. Years of development and investment in the garden have resulted in this amazing place. At this time of the year the spring colours are magnificent.

A day full of adventure, historical intrigue and sensational Blue Mountain scenery! Our three hour journey to the "ghost town" of Yerranderie along an old stock route takes us across the Great Dividing Range where high altitudes support forests of snow gums and views over the southern section of the Blue Mountains are superb. A guided tour of the former silver mining town that was cut off from civilisation by Warrangamba Dam was one of the highlights of this day

Day 5, Saturday 18^th October. Kanangra Walls and Jenolan Caves

We travelled to Kanangra Walls where we had a short walk to view some excellent scenery. Then we travelled to Jenolan Caves for a picnic lunch and time. if desired. for a cave inspection. We then proceeded to Katoomba and through to Epping where we arrived at 5.00 pm