The weather this weekend has been brilliant. Typical Bathurst early winter weather, chilly and frosty mornings followed by clear days, blue skies, lots of sunshine and temperatures getting up to around 13C - 14C. The only problem with riding during winter, is that the days are shorter and thus if you go on a longish day ride, you will be returning home around late afternoon, as dusk starts to settle. Being out in the Central West of NSW means that if you ride eastwards in the morning, you will be heading home into the winter setting sun, which is to be avoided as the glare can blind a rider and the strobe effect of riding through forested areas is mind-numbing. Therefore, in winter I tend to head west, or at a pinch north or south.
Today I decided that I'd head over to Orange, about 50kms to the west. I hadn't been up to the top of Mt Canobolas for a while and today's weather would provide some great views of the surrounding countryside.
I headed out along the Mitchell Highway towards orange, truning off at the Millthorpe turn off, headed into Millthorpe before then heading out towards the Orange Airport via Spring Hill and then into Orange via Bloomfield. A cup of coffee in Orange and then off to Mt. Canobolas past the Orange racecourse, Towac Park.
At the entrance to the Mt. Canobolas State Conservation Area is a lovely teahouse, with a warm and friendly atmosphere inside and some outdoor seating where diners and coffee drinkers can enjoy the sun. The teahouse is very popular at weekends, as attested to by the full carpark upon my arrival.
Mountain Tea House, Mt Canobolas, Orange NSW
The road to the summit is about 5kms. The road is sealed at the bottom and also at the top, but there is an unsealed gravel section mid way for a couple of kms. During winter, the road is subject to snow and ice and can be closed. Numerous walking tracks are located on the slopes of Mt. Canobolas and at weekends, walkers are a common sight on the road to the summit. Also, be aware of 4WD vehicles, whose drivers may be trying to experience the thrill of the Dakkar Rally on the gravel sections of the road.
Unsealed section of the road to the Mt. Canobolas summit.
The summit of Mt Canobolas is 1395 metres above sea level and is purported to be the highest ground between Sydney and Perth. The summit is home to an array of telecommunications towers, including the local area's television transmitters
Summit of Mt. Canobolas
From the summit, a 360 degree vista of Orange and the surrounding district can be had. An engraved plate on a raised viewing platform provides headings and distances to distant towns and places of interest.
Looking west towards Bathurst from the summit
Engraved plate showing location of nearby towns and places of interest
From Mt. Canobolas I made my way back to Orange via Lake Canobolas, a local boating recreation area. The grounds around the lake contain picnic areas, BBQ settings and childrens playgrounds. The area also contains a number of large vineyards, many of which having open cellars, wine tatsing and few with cafes or restaurants attached. There are also a number of bed and breakfast accommodation places nearby.
Entrance to the Lake Canobolas Reserve
A view of the lake and surrounding area from one of the picnic areas
After a late lunch at Roberts Bakery in Orange, I turned back onto the Mitchell Highway and made my way back to Bathurst, having had a very enjoyable excursion.
