| Blaxland is around 40 minutes drive from
Katoomba and 10 minutes from Penrith. Blaxland is a thriving community with churches,
shopping centre, community groups, a library, children's play centres, bush fire
brigade, chamber of commerce and a small industrial area. Blaxland also
offers several restaurants. The main shopping centre caters extremely
well for the community, and a smaller shopping centre at East Blaxland is great
for the essential items.
East Blaxland is located along the Old Bathurst
Road. This section of the Old Bathurst Road joins the Great Western Highway between
Blaxland and Emu Plains. Still used today, the road features some extremely steep,
sharp bends. Blaxland is the only town within the Blue Mountains with a
McDonald's Family Restaurant. Other McDonald's Restaurants are located in Emu
Plains and Lithgow. The ruins behind McDonald's Blaxland are a reminder
of the town's beginnings. They tell the story of Pilgrim Inn built by Barnett
Levey, a free immigrant Jew who received one of the first land grants in 1825.
Blaxland
was originally named Wascoe after the family of John Outrim Wascoe who held a
licence for the Pilgrim Inn. This however was not the original Pilgrim Inn, but
a second Pilgrim Inn which was built in Blaxland. The original Pilgrim Inn was
located at the junction of the three early roads - Cox's Road, Mitchell's Pass
and Old Bathurst Road. The towns name was changed to Blaxland in 1914 after
Gregory Blaxland - one of the famous explorers to first cross the Blue Mountains.
Open 10.30am the first Sunday each month (excluding January) is the Wascoe
Siding Miniature Railway. The miniature trains are driven by a variety of steam,
diesel or electric locomotives. This is a great experience for the whole family.
The railway is located in Grahame Street. Just off the Great Western Highway
in St Johns Road is Blaxland Oval, home of many sporting events. Blaxland
also features several small parks including Blaxland Park opposite Blaxland Primary
School, and Lennox Park off Matthew Parade. In East Blaxland there is also Thomas
Park on Boorea Street, and Robertswood Park along Robertswood Road. Blaxland
hosts a Gem and Mineral Exhibition in September, and an annual Gala Day in October.
Blaxland High School also presents a spectacular must see Art and Craft Expo in
September!
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