Blaxland, New South Wales

Blaxland
New South Wales

Remains of Pilgrim Inn, c. 1825
Blaxland
Coordinates 33°45′S 150°37′E / 33.750°S 150.617°E / -33.750; 150.617Coordinates: 33°45′S 150°37′E / 33.750°S 150.617°E / -33.750; 150.617
Population 7,330 (2011 census)[1]
Established 1830
Postcode(s) 2774
Elevation 234 m (768 ft)
Location 70 km (43 mi) west of Sydney
LGA(s) City of Blue Mountains
State electorate(s)
Federal Division(s) Macquarie
Localities around Blaxland:
Warrimoo Mount Riverview Emu Heights
Blaxland
Glenbrook

Blaxland is a town in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. Blaxland is located 70 kilometres west of Sydney in the local government area of the City of Blue Mountains. It is at an altitude of 234 metres and borders the townships/suburbs of Glenbrook, Mount Riverview and Warrimoo.

History

Blaxland is named for Gregory Blaxland who along with William Lawson and William Wentworth, led the exploration that discovered a route over the Blue Mountains in 1813. Prior to 1879 the area was known as Wascoe.

The Pilgrim Inn was built c. 1825. It was a significant element in the area for some time, but eventually decayed. The remains, which are now adjacent to McDonald's, are heritage-listed.[2]

The Rev. Joshua Hargrave became a major presence in the area in the early 20th. century, and a significant force in the growth of Blaxland as a village, especially south Blaxland. He built the first church in the area and, with his family and the Calver family, is associated with four homes that still survive: Tanfield in Hope Street, Menahne in Hope Street, Rosedale in View Street and Nardi in View Street. The homes are all heritage-listed.[3]

Transport

Blaxland railway station is on the Blue Mountains Line of the NSW TrainLink intercity network. It is a disability-accessible station.

Commercial area

The village of Blaxland received a major overhaul in 2001 with the widening of the Great Western Highway. This work included the controversial planting of Canary Island Palm trees along the highway, but also created space for more shops and led to many refurbishments. These changes, combined with the upgrade of Blaxland Station, have improved business in Blaxland.

Local businesses include:

Blaxland also has a small industrial estate and the only remaining land fill waste facility in the Blue Mountains.

Services

Schools

Sport and recreation

Blaxland includes the Florabella Pass and Pippas Pass tracks. The Lennox bridge(Lapstone Hill) and Knapsack Viaduct could be approached via Mitchell's Pass, but,do further investigation if planning to hike some or all of the way there. It is home to the Blaxland Redbacks soccer and netball teams. The Wascoe Siding Miniature Railway, on Grahame St (see map detail above), open to visitors on the 1st Sunday each month (10am to 4pm).If walking back to Blaxland station after visiting the Miniature Railway, consider taking Layton Ave. which will take you past the facilities of the service station and McDonald's.

It is also home of 1st Blaxland Scout group [4]

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Blaxland (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ↑ State Heritage Register
  3. 1 2 State Heritage Register
  4. ↑ http://www.whitepages.com.au/wp/li/1st-blaxland-scout-group--blaxland-nsw-N13W.html

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