BLAYNEY

The picturesque town of Blayney has a population of 3,000 and is nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Belubula River Valley. It rests at 860 metres above sea level in the NSW Central Tablelands, 30 minutes drive from Bathurst & Orange and only 3 hours from Sydney. Blayney is a place to enjoy the marked passing of the seasons with Spring blossoms and bulbs in abundance, dramatic blazes of Autumn colour and the occasional flurry of snow falls in Winter.

 Known as Heritage Country, the region began settlement in 1821 before being allocated for farming in 1843. Then the gold rush of the 1850s saw the township of Blayney and its surrounding villages thrive.  Notorious bushrangers John O’Meally, John Vane, Mickey Bourke, John Gilbert and Ben Hall were to capitalise on these “Golden Days” with hold-ups at local banks and along the road to Carcoar.

 In 1876, the arrival of the railway to Blayney resulted in further development of the area with the towns of Millthorpe , Newbridge and Carcoar  flourishing. The 1870s to 1880s saw great development in Blayney and it was during this time that many of the significant buildings, which still stand today, were built.  Two of these are the Courthouse and Post Office, both built in 1880.

 Today Blayney continues to flourish and while still an agricultural area has moved towards industry and mining which has created constant demand for jobs and accommodation.  The FCL Terminal is the largest inland container terminal in Australia. Blayney also benefits considerably from its close proximity to the larger centres of Orange and Bathurst.

Attractions and Things to Do around Blayney

There are plenty of things to see and do in and around Blayney. For the energetic, or those who would like a leisurely swim, there’s the Blayney Centrepoint Sport & Liesure Centre which is an impressive fitness facility containing a gymnasium, dry court facilities and 3 indoor heated pools.

Heritage Park is found on Adelaide Street, Blayneys major thoroughfare and is an excellent place to stop and rest or play. There’s plenty of fun for all the kids with an Adventure Playground which includes a flying fox, rope climbing frame, mouse house and bike track as well as the usual slippery dip and monkey bars.  Adults are well catered for with BBQ & disabled toilet facilities, seated tables, rose garden and an attractive pond with a rippling creek to relax by.  

For something different take a short drive to the Blayney Wind Farm located near Mount Macquarie, above Carcoar Dam.  Fifteen wind turbines 45 metres high are able produce enough renewable energy to supply the annual usage of 3500 average homes.

Scenic Carcoar Dam is a great place to enjoy water sports such as skiing or sailing and is a great spot for fishing and camping. There are also some lovely camping and recreational areas along the pretty Belubula River which is also popular for Fly Fishing.

Villages of the Blayney Shire

Blayney is the perfect base from which to explore the delightful local historic villages such as Millthorpe, Lyndhurst, Mandurama, Neville, Newbridge and Carcoar.

Millthorpe – Only 5 minutes from Blayney, Millthorpe is an incredible treasure trove of history, preserved in one place.  It is popular with locals and visitors alike, with many attractions apart from its significant historic architecture and beauty.  There are museums, art and craft stores and award winning cafés and a highly regarded restaurant that managed to attain a coveted Sydney Morning Herald Chef’s Hat in its first year of business.   

Carcoar – South of Blayney towards Cowra lies another gem, the village of Carcoar.  Its historic significance is such that the whole town has been classified by the National Trust. The third oldest settlement west of the Blue Mountains, Carcoar is neatly set in a quaint, sheltered valley on the Belubula River. Carcoar is a sheer delight to explore and this is probably best done on foot by taking a leisurely stroll around the beautifully preserved buildings that clearly evoke days gone by. Stop at a coffee shop, peruse bric-a-brac and craft stores or browse through one of the fascinating museums.    

Mandurama -Mandurama began as a private settlement for workers on the large property known as ‘Coombing Park’ which was owned by the Icely family. The property was later purchased by Cobb & Co and run by one of its directors, WF Whitney. Mandurama grew to service nearby towns and its range of architectural styles reflects the eras of its past. Today, Mandurama is still a rich agricultural area, containing some very impressive homesteads, some of which host visitors for farmstays, such as ‘Millamolong’ and ‘Sunnyridge’.  

Lyndhurst – Lyndhurst was short-listed as one of the proposed sites for the nation’s capital, with Canberra eventually becoming the preferred option. Once a vibrant hub of activity with three banks, a cinema and many stores that were boosted by the nearby Junction Reefs Mine, Lyndhurst has now relaxed into a quieter version of its former self.

Major Events and Festivals

August:           02        Blayney Community Markets

September:    06        Blayney Spring Flower Show

October:         4-5       Millthorpe Garden Ramble

                    25       Carcoar Show

 November:     01        Blayney Community Markets

                        12        Carols at Carrington Park