Journey by photograph: Rylestone - Mudgee

Leaving Bathurst with showers everywhere and a little cool we headed off once more....again not very far. We had thought we might 'freebie' beside the river at Sofala however when we checked it out and with the rain, deep in the mountains, we decided to give it a miss and drive on to Rylestone instead.

Sofala main street

mural on a gateway in the main street

Sofala is a small village, founded during the gold rush of the 1870's. Hard to believe that thousands of folk had settled there to try their hand at finding a fortune when you see it now. Lovely to see some of the old buildings still surviving however. Weekends would be a popular time for tourists on a day or weekend trip away from Sydney. With such narrow streets the traffic would be interesting!!

Heading back up away from the river the road was quite steep and poor old Bruiser was really working up those mountains. The countryside was green and there were lots of cattle and sheep around. As this wasn't a main highway the traffic was lighter and that was a blessng with rain and steep climbs and descents.
Finally into Kandos, a small settlement, but great take away food!! Lunch was enjoyed parked down beside the railway station that now houses a restaurant. There is a large cement works on the edge of town and we saw the cableway that was used to ferry the limestone from the nearby quarry to the cement plant. We found out however that the plant had closed not too long ago and that would have a been a loss to the area.

cableway across the road at Kandos

Rylestone was only another 7km on and the little caravan park was beside the golf course and was a great place to park for a few days whilst we explored. Old buildings along the main street, many now used as eateries and craft shops, again enticing those weekend escapees from the city. Also being only about 50km south west of Mudgee, a well known wine region, it would be sure to have lots of passers by.

Next stop was Mudgee, again only a short drive and we settled into the caravan park just one street away from the main street so easy access for a stroll around the streets to admire those 19th century buildings. You cannot help but admire the architecture and craftsmanship of those old time builders. Needless to say we found a bakery and as it was lunchtime and someone's birthday how could I refuse him. Yummy!! just as well we had to walk back to the van, helped ease the conscience!

Mudgee Railway Station 1884

Gulgong (town on the original $10 note) only being 26km from Mudgee was a day out and lunch at a bakery, why are you surprised? they are everywhere in these little country towns.
Lots of beautiful old buildings and they are an active community working on promoting their region.