Posts Tagged ‘Tarana’


I’m sitting in the eating shelter at the Kanangra Walls carpark. Today was sunny and rainy with a few claps of thunder. I didn’t get wet.

The rain is coming

With the office closed this week, I’m taking compulsory leave. A perfect opportunity to visit all the places in the back parts of the Blue Mountains that are too far to reach on weekend trips.

Kanangra Walls has always been on my list. Massive cliff faces dropping down to a spectacular valley.

Kanangra Walls

The weather has been weird the last few days. Sunny and beautiful in the morning. Dark, imposing clouds roll over in the afternoon. Rolls of thunder from the heavens. The occasional bolt of lightning.

But first the beautiful sunny morning undulating through the farmland.

The road to Oberon

Oberon was my refueling stop.

Entering Oberon

The rain started just as I arrived at the camping ground. I had a chat with two nature enthusiasts, Paul and Rebecca. They gave me some tips for things to see in the coming days.

I just made it to and from the famous lookout before the rain set in. Let’s see where I set up my tent (once the rain stops).

Before the clouds rolled over.

Before the clouds rolled over.

After the rain, the impressive clouds and the constant growl of thunder, the sun shone through just as it dipped below the horizon. My tent could be set up (and remain dry) just behind the shelter. I’m all set for my early morning walk on the Kanangra plateau.

The sinking of the sun at Kanangra Walls
The sinking of the sun at Kanangra Walls

It was a cycle through the dark, and then up the very well maintained stairs in the first morning light to the jumble of massive boulders on the top. Lots of gaps and holes to crawl through. Lots to explore next time.

Evans Crown

Evans Crown


Matt the cyclist I met in Leura gave me a tip. While in Tarana, go to Evans Crown at sunrise. I watched the sun poke above the opposite hill as I sat on one of the boulders perched above the valley. Spectacular.

Evans Crown

Evans Crown

Evans Crown

Evans Crown


At 8:30 I finally left Tarana and followed a creek and the train line, climbing up over hills where there train line skirted around the edge. It was a beautiful, peaceful road, super lush and green. Peaceful except for the magpies that squarked and swooped. Nothing like yesterday’s attempt at my eyes though.

The road to Bathurst

The road to Bathurst

The road to Bathurst

The road to Bathurst

The road to Bathurst

The road to Bathurst


The pub in Newbridge is being renovated. No rooms. No food. They have beer though. Had a nice chat with Bob. I’m cycling through a massive volcano crater that stretches from Parkes to Bathurst, apparently. Learn something new every day. 🙂

The pub at Newbridge

The pub at Newbridge


When I hear a snap I know its another magpie crashing into my helmet. One even tried his best to get behind my sunglasses brushing my face with a ruffle of feathers. Today was a hilly affair through some beautiful county.

One of the hills

One of the hills

It was goodbye to my friends in Leura this morning as I headed off into adventure. Its always great spending a weekend with them chatting and sitting in front of their beautiful outside fireplace.

Leaving Leura

Leaving Leura

I had gone all of 1km when I ran into 2 cyclists on racing bikes. Being locals, they know the lay of the land, and what was before me. They warned that it was steep and hilly, and it was. I rushed down the hill to Hartley Vale and rolled through the rich green fields. You can tell that it has rained a lot and everything looks so vibrant. The local pub in Hartley Vale looked rustic and well maintained, but closed. The climb out to Lithgow was a killer for my untrained legs.

Hartley Vale

Hartley Vale

Hartley Vale

Hartley Vale

I’m camping in the little village of Tarana and having a huge meal in the pub. These hills make you hungry.

Spot my tent

Spot my tent

Sunset at Tarana

Sunset at Tarana