Just Jenolan Caves turn off to Bathurst. (At this stage.)
GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY. (Highway 32.)
This is a principal east west as far as Bathurst, where the highway system divides. The Mitchell Highway continues
north west to Dubbo and beyond. The Mid Western Highway travels essentially westwards via Blayney, Cowra etc to its
junction with the Newell Highway at Marsden.
There are few suitable overnight spots noted on the actual highway. However, we stayed at a number which involves
travel off the highway. So, in effect, the highway is used as a common thread to access the various overnight spots.
0 km (73.8 km) Junction with Jenolan Caves turn off .. 11 km east of Lithgow.
------------------------------
0 km (104.5 km) We took this route via Millionth Acre Reserve, Oberon, Flat Rock camp spot, O'Connell and back onto the Western
Highway about 3 km east of Bathurst.
[7.0 km]
7.0 km (97.5 km) Info Bay .. east side.
[1.9 km]
8.9 km (95.6 km) Hampton pub .. west side.
[1.0 km]
9.9 km (94.6 km) Junction .. west side .. to Rydal.
[0.4 km]
10.3 km (94.2 km) Hampton.
[4.0 km]
14.3 km (90.2 km) Junction .. west side, Oberon Road which we took towards Oberon. Continue ahead for Jenolan Caves.
[0.1 km]
14.4 km (90.1 km) Signed rest area .. entrance along Oberon Road .. north side. Millionth Acre State Forest Reserve. Smallish level
parking area adjacent to road. Tea Tree Ridge Road to west adjoins and provides additional parking for small vehicles.
Also possible to drive into park area .. entry east end of parking bay.
* Class 2. 33° 40.63'S. 150° 03.02'E. Hema map 22, G 6.
Toilets, covered tables, shade, tank WATER, industrial rubbish bins in Tea Tree Ridge Road, 15m from highway (noisy
traffic after day break), barely OK big rigs, no time limit noted, weak TV, average CDMA.
[35.8 km]
50.2 km (54.3 km) In main street Oberon .. junction .. Ross Street .. south side. Travel 0.6km to Info Centre on left. Threaded
water tap noted in front of Info Centre. Parallel parking possible in this side street .. both sides close to main street.
[0.1 km]
50.3 km (54.2 km) Oberon Post Office .. south side.
[0.3 km]
50.6 km (53.9 km) Junction .. north side .. North Street to Tarana via Mutton Falls.
[20.3 km]
70.9 km (33.6 km) "T" junction .. Mutton Falls Road .. east (right) for Tarana, Lithgow. We turn west (left) towards O'Connell.
[8.1 km]
79.0 km (25.5 km) Unsigned rest area .. north side .. just west of Rainville Creek .. Flat Rock Reserve. Two gravel roads
down to sloping grassy area beside Fish River. Some level parking spots down near river.
* Class 2. 33° 32.89'S. 149° 47.54'E. Hema map 22, G 6.
Toilets (grotty), tables, some shade, rubbish bins, fire places, 70m max from road, OK big rigs,
no time limit noted, no TV, no CDMA, swimming.
[6.5 km]
85.5 km (19.0 km) O'Connell pub .. north side.
[2.0 km]
87.5 km (17.0 km) Signed rest area .. north side .. signed "no camping". Sealed loop off/on road with parking adjacent.
* Class 4 to 5. 33° 31.57'S. 149° 43.42'E. Hema map 22, G 6.
Toilets, covered tables, some shade, non potable tank WATER at toilet, rubbish bins, 20m max from highway, OK big rigs,
very poor TV, good CDMA, playground, swimming.
[17.0 km]
104.5 km (0 km) "T" junction with Western Highway about 3 km east of Bathurst.
------------------------------
JENOLAN CAVES turn off TO BATHURST .. continued.
[9.7 km]
9.7 km (64.1 km) Signed rest area noted .. east side. Appeared to have all facilities, but in built up area.
[1.3 km]
11.0 km (62.8 km) Junction .. east side .. to Lithgow town centre.
[0.3 km]
11.3 km (62.5 km) Junction .. north east side .. Info Centre. Enter side road and turn left for (unsigned and limited) large
vehicle parking. It is necessary to travel up that street, do a "U" turn, come back and park on the nothern side of
the street.
[7.0 km]
18.3 km (55.5 km) Junction .. north side .. Castlereagh Highway, southern extremity.
[2.5 km]
20.8 km (53.0 km) Junction .. north side .. to Wallerawang via Lake wallace.
-------------------------------
0 km taking turn off north to Wallerawang.
[1.9 km]
1.9 km Entry to Lake Wallace .. east side. Toilets etc on left just inside entrance. Very extensive series of level gravel
roads in extensive park area. We parked 300m in near the playground (Wallerawang and Portland Rotary Park) and near water.
* Class 2+. 33° 24.92' S. 150° 04.39' E. Hema map 22, F 6.
Covered tables, some shade, threaded WATER tap, wood BBQ, rubbish bins, 150m from road, OK big rigs, no apparent time
limit, but suggest use descretion (spoke with groundsman and he said OK to stay overnight), good TV, fair CDMA.
[1.0 km] Continuing towards Wallerawang passing over NARROW railway overpass.
2.9 km Wallerawang Post Office .. west side. Parking for big rigs just before P.O. on opposite side and opposite
butcher, bakery and hairdresser.
-------------------------------
JENOLAN CAVES turn off TO BATHURST .. continued.
[1.8 km]
22.6 km (51.2 km) Junction .. north side to Wallerawang.
[9.3 km]
31.9 km (41.9 km) Signed rest area .. north side .. non level gravel bay adjacent to highway.
Class 2-. 33° 27.23'S. 149° 58.68'E. Hema map 22, G 6.
Covered tables, no shade, rubbish bins, 20m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[5.9 km]
37.8 km (36.0 km) Junction at Meadow Flat .. north side to Sunny Corner.
-------------------------------
0 km taking turn off north to Sunny Corner.
[4.0 km]
4.0 km Junction .. east side to Portland.
[3.0 km]
7.0 km Unsigned Sunny Corner Reserve .. east side. Gravel track into large level grassy area.
* Class 2. 33° 22.26'S. 149° 53.59'E. Hema map 22, F 6.
Toilets (grotty), covered table in shelter shed, very little shade, non potable tank WATER, but tap has no handle!,
rubbish bins, 70m max from highway, OK big rigs, very poor TV, weak CDMA.
-------------------------------
JENOLAN CAVES turn off TO BATHURST .. continued.
[30.7 km]
68.5 km (5.3 km) Junction, Bathurst outskirts .. south side to O'Connell, Oberon etc. Other end of route we took from
Jenolan Caves turn off.
[1.8 km]
70.3 km (3.5 km) Rest area noted .. north side .. appeared to have lots of facilities.
[0.4 km]
70.7 km (3.1 km) Junction .. south side .. signed Mt. Panaroma, 5 kms.
-------------------------------
0 km taking turn off south to Mt. Panaroma.
[4.7 km]
4.7 km Entrance onto Mt. Panaroma speedway track.
[3.5 km] Travelling on speedway in counter clockwise direction up to top of Mt. Panorama. Steep climb!
8.2 km Entrance to Mc.Phillamy Park. Extensive series of tracks amongst woods with level camp spots adjoining.
Gates currently closed 9pm till 7am .. keeps hoons out!
* Class 2+. 33° 27.43'S. 149° 32.94'E. Hema map 22, G 5.
Toilets, showers, covered tables, shade, a few threaded town WATER taps, rubbish bins, quiet OK big rigs, no apparent
time limit apart from when race track is used, excellent TV, good CDMA, great views, playground.
-------------------------------
JENOLAN CAVES turn off TO BATHURST .. continued.
[0.5 km]
71.2 km (2.6 km) Junction .. south side .. signed to Crookwall and Goulburn.
[2.6 km] Travelling through Bathurst and following signs.
73.8 km (0 km) Major Junction .. Great Western Highway ends. Mid Western Highway to Blayney, Cowra etc. continues ahead.
Mitchell Highway to Orange, Dubbo and beyond veers north west (right).
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