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Wentworth Falls is one of the most beautiful towns within
the Blue Mountains offering possibly the most spectacular
bushwalks and views. Originally called Weatherboard
after the Weatherboard Hut built in 1814, one
year later the town was named Jamisons Valley
by Governor Macquarie. In July 1867 the historic first railway
journey in the Blue Mountains left Penrith station and travelled
through to Weatherboard Station where the train terminated.
It wasnt until 1879 that the name was changed to Wentworth
Falls in honour of William Charles Wentworth, one of the three
famous explorers. When travelling from Bullaburra to Wentworth
Falls you ascend Boddington Hill.
At the top of the hill you can turn left into Tableland Road
and turn left into Queen Elizabeth Drive. At the end of the
sealed road there is a fork in the road. Take the left hand
fork for a 10 km drive to one of the most remote and beautiful
picnic grounds in the Blue Mountains, Ingar Picnic Ground.
The area known as Kings Tableland offers almost haunting views. Care must be taken within
this area to preserve the ancient Aboriginal site, Kings Table. It has been calculated via carbon dating that
the land was occupied some 22,000 years ago!
Back on Tableland Road, a
further quarter hour drive takes you to Sunset Lookout or McMahons Lookout
providing views of Lake Burragorang. Along the Great Western Highway
at the first set of traffic lights travelling west towards Katoomba, on the left
hand side you will see the historic Grandview Hotel. Here you can turn right at
the lights into the main centre of Wentworth Falls. Along
Station Street you will find many fine coffee shops and you are guaranteed to
experience the local community atmosphere. Continue over the railway bridge into
Blaxland Road and turn left into Sinclair Crescent which will lead you through
a corridor of trees to the beautiful, must see Wentworth Falls Lake.
The lake offers something for everyone including picnic and BBQ facilities, safe swimming, shelter and a children’s playground. Take some time to enjoy the beauty of the wild ducks on the lake. However, we would ask that you do not feed them, as they need to eat the foods that grow naturally in their environment in order to maintain good health.
Further
North along Blaxland Road the golf enthusiast will find the 18 hole golf course
of Wentworth Falls Country Club where you can experience a round of golf in the
fresh clean air of Wentworth Falls.
Further west along the Great Western
Highway you will reach the next set of traffic lights. On the north side of the
highway is Pitt Park and the Wentworth Falls School of Arts. The Bathurst
Traveller, later renamed Weatherboard Inn was an inn Built in
1826 at Pitt Park. Charles Darwin, the renowned scientist was reported to have
stayed here around 1836. The School of Arts is a popular venue for stalls and
markets.
On
the south side you can turn into Falls Road. On the corner
you will see a hardware store as well as the Wentworth Falls
Bowling Club. From Falls Road you can start the Charles Darwin
Walk.
This walk can also be entered from the streets behind the
Grandview Hotel. Further down Falls Road you will find Central
Park and Murray Park. On the right before the Falls there
is Falls Gallery, specializing in work by contemporary Australian
artists such as Garry Shead and Wendy Sharpe. At the end of
the road is Sir H. Burrell drive with a picnic ground. 
A walk into the Blue Mountains National Park from this point
will take you to many spectacular natural attractions including
Breakfast Point Lookout, Princes Rock Lookout, the Wentworth
Falls, Queens Cascades and Rocket Point Lookout.
Entering the bush further north you can walk to Empress Falls,
Sylvia Falls, Lodore Falls, Valley of the Waters Picnic Area,
Queen Victoria Lookout, Lyre Bird Lookout, Vera Falls as well
as Flat Rock and Brittania Red Rock.
Conservation Hut is an information centre in Wentworth Falls
operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Wentworth
Falls hosts several festivals including the Wentworth Falls
Lake Regatta in February, Wentworth Falls Autumn Festival
in April, and Wentworth Falls Public School Art and Craft
Show in May.
With the numerous spectacular walks and views within Wentworth Falls, visitors should allow at least
a day to leisurely enjoy the area.
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