Our second field trip for 2018 will be in and around Bathurst, NSW from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 May with an extension on Monday 14 for those wanting a bit more.
Cox’s Road at Mt Victoria pass
Cox’s Road at Mt Victoria pass
DS embankment on Bridle Track
Bridle Track
Successful prospectors
Timber slab cottage
Stone, Gold & Rare Trades
The weekend is timed to coincide with the Rare Trades Heritage Trail in Bathurst – a celebration of old trades, crafts and traditional skills. We are sponsoring a dry stone walling demonstration with wallers, Wayne Fox and Emma Knowles showing off their handiwork.
The weekend will commence with welcome drinks at Abercrombie House in Bathurst on Friday evening.
Highlights of the two day trip include:
- a guided tour of key features of the Bridle Track, the original route from Bathurst to Hill End
- visits to the old gold mining towns of Hill End and Sofala
- an overnight stay at the Royal Hotel, Hill End with a group dinner and guest speaker
- attendance at the Rare Trades Trail.
The itinerary and costs are being finalised but an approximate cost per person is $170 covering:
- welcome drinks on Friday
- a picnic lunch on Saturday
- dinner, overnight accommodation and breakfast in Hill End
- admission to the Rare Trades Heritage Trail venues and the DSWAA wall demonstration
- maps and tour notes.
What’s not included:
- travel to and from Bathurst
- dinner on Friday evening
- drinks, other than at the Friday welcome
- accommodation on Friday or Sunday evenings
- lunch on Sunday
- any costs incurred on the Monday.
Places on this special field trip are limited. Pre-registrations are open now – see form below – and close end February. Pre-registration requires no payment. Depending on numbers, places will be reserved for pre-registrants first.
Monday 14 May extension tour will feature:
- historic sights in Bathurst
- visits to key features along Cox’s Road, the original track across the Blue Mountains
- Mayfield Gardens, a historic property and garden rich in dry stone walls
Please let us know by 15th February if you would like to come. If you intend to fly in to Bathurst, let us know and we will do our best to arrange car sharing for the trip.
