Woodford

We first walked a circuit, which was faint in places, on the southern side of the station. This track in Wilson Glen was dedicated in 1932 by Thomas M. Wilson, as a public reserve for all time in memory of his wife.

Our group then crossed over the railway foot bridge to Memorial Park on the north side of Woodford.

After crossing the highway we walked to Mable Falls Reserve.
The falls have only had a small flow when I have been there, but its an attractive spot none the less.

Mable Falls pool, Woodford

Edith Falls

       
From Mable Falls we continued on to visit Edith Falls before returning to Woodford station. The photo above is from my earlier Transit of Venus Track post.            

Woodford Dam

The Woodford Creek Dam was completed in 1928 primarily to supply water for steam locomotives. The dam wall was raised in 1937 and again in 1948 to meet the water needs  of the lower Blue Mountains. It is no longer an active part of the Blue Mountains water supply system.

While the lake and dam are not open to the public some bush tracks near the dam are open to bushwalkers and cyclists, and provide views of the lake and surrounding rugged bushland.
  
       Location map         WaterNSW -  Dam Info & History

Murphys Glen walk

The unsealed road leading to the camping ground, near Woodford in the (mid) Blue Mountains, follows a narrow ridge top heathland. I think it is best walked during the week, as it is popular for mountain biking and 4WD on weekends.       Spreading Fan Fern (Sticherus lobatus) (below) on the side of the road.

Murphys Glen is situated in an old volcanic steam vent. The weathering of rocks in the area has resulted in richer soil than the surrounding sand stone derived soils, which supports a tall forest of blue gums and towering turpentines.

We turned off the Murphys Fire trail and followed 'The Turpentine Walk' down to the camping ground.

Corymbia gummifera (right)
(previously Eucalyptus gummifera)
or Red Bloodwood, is seen flowering along the rocky ridge in late summer.


 Note: Murphys Glen campground was closed due to road damage and facilities maintenance when I published this post.

Location map

Woodford Academy

Woodford Academy, dates back to the 1830s, making it the oldest group of buildings in the Blue Mountains. It's first use was as an inn called the 'Woodman', which served travellers on their way between Sydney and the western plains. It has had many owners and has served many other uses since then, including: a school, a guest house and a private residence.

The the railway station, adopted the name Woodford in 1871, after the renamed 'Woodford House', then owned by Alfred Fairfax. It latter became 'Woodford Academy', a school for 'young gentleman'.

In 1979 it was gifted to the National Trust of Australia, which has renovated and maintained the heritage property.

    Woodford Academy Open Days                Mid Mts Historical Soc.                      Location map

My thanks to the volunteer guides from Friends of Woodford Academy

Ref.  'A Brief History of Woodford Academy' - Friends of Woodford Academy

Woodford - Transit of Venus

We started this bush walk at the end of Clearview Parade Hazelbrook (below)

The track is so called, because an observatory was set up not far from the Woodford Academy, to house a 114mm telescope and other instruments, needed for the observation of the 9^th December 1874 Transit of Venus.

The passing of Venus between the Sun and Earth, was an important event, as it enabled scientists to better calculate the distance from earth to the sun.
The most recent Transit of Venus occurred in June 2012, and will not occur again until 2117.

Along the way we passed Waratahs (Telopea) in flower, and visited Edith Falls (below right) and a side trip to Mabel Falls, where we ate our lunchs.

 

Our walking track crossed the fire trail (above) in Mabel Falls Reserve. The track ended at Woodbury Street with a steep climb back to the highway. We finished at Woodford station.

Location Map
 
My thanks to Judith and Jenny for showing us this lesser known track, with its historic connections.