PORTLAND NSW - "Places of Interest"

Just over the Blue Mountains, Portland is an easy destination for a day trip from Sydney or a weekend getaway.

Many hard to find artefacts can be found in the old wares shops and galleries in Portland and the Charlie Pinch Museum which contains a large collection of Australian memorabilia worth exploring.

Charlie Pinch's Museum
The Museum contains a large collection of Australian memorabilia. Located at "The Glen" Portland. Tours of this museum can be arranged by phoning Charlie Pinch on +61 (02) 6355 5046.

Blue Circle Southern Cement Works - Bottle Kilns
The Bottle Kilns are the remnants of the early Cement making process. They were built in 1888 and were the first cement making kilns west of the Blue Mountains. The Bottle Kilns are subject to a preservation order and are located on the northern edge of the Cement Works.

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Williwa Creek Picnic Area
While in Portland, you can take a leisurely stroll along the Williwa Creek, enjoy a picnic or simply relax in the quiet and peaceful surroundings. The Portland Town Common has 650 acres of natural bushland and picnic areas and is ideal for bushwalks. In fact, Portland is one of very few country towns left with a Town Common.

Thompson's Creek Dam
A recreational area for anglers. Artificial fly and lure fishing only from shore areas and only between one hour before sunrise to three hours after sunset.

Mt. Piper Power Station, Boulder Road, Portland.
Mt Piper Energy Expo and daily tours of the Power Station. State of the Art in Power Generation. Enjoy the hands on high tech interactive exhibits at the Information Centre. The Energy Expo is open every day from 9am - 5pm. Features include: video and static displays and is located in a lovely landscaped setting. Facilities include a picnic area with children's playground, BBQs and amenities.

Tours of the power station are held every day (including weekends ) at 11am. Solid enclosed shoes must be worn and cameras and bags cannot be taken along on the actual tour. Groups and schools can book in at different times by prior arrangement.

Sunny Corner State Forest

Wollemi National Park
Possibly the most important aspect of Wollemi National Park is that it protects, permanently, the largest remaining forested wilderness in NSW, including the Colo-Capertee river system, used extensively with the surrounding bushland for hardy recreation activities is now part of the recently declared Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area.

Newnes & Wolgan Valley
From Boulder Road, turn right into Mudgee Rd towards Wallerawang. At Lidsdale turn left and proceed past Angus Place Coal mine. Continue on into the beautiful Wolgan Valley where there are natural picnic areas. It is necessary to cross the river and walk along the well-defined path to see the foundations of the shale ruins.

Glow Worm Tunnel
400 metres in length. Originally constructed for railway line to Newnes oil shale works, now taken over by glow worms. Just over 30 kilometres from Lithgow or Clarence through Newnes Plateau. Excellent bushwalks through Newnes and Wollemi National Park. Good walking shoes and a torch are required for the walk through the tunnel.

Glen Davis
From Boulder Road, turn left into Mudgee Road continue along the road until Capertee, turn right to proceed on into the Capertee Valley. Glen Davis has a picnic/camping area with amenities block and a privately run Museum with artefacts and information on the Shale Oil Ruins.