Bowenfels, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BowenfelsNew South Wales |
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Bowenfels railway station
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 Bowenfels
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 2,048 (2006 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2790 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 910 m (2,986 ft) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | City of Lithgow | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Bathurst | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Calare | ||||||||||||||
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Bowenfels is a small town located just outside Lithgow, New South Wales, in Australia. It's a historic place with a rich past.
Even though it's now seen as part of Lithgow, Bowenfels was actually settled much earlier. It was founded almost 40 years before Lithgow even existed! Today, there are two main parts: Bowenfels near the Great Western Highway, and South Bowenfels about a kilometre to the south.
Contents
Exploring Bowenfels' Past
Early Explorers and Settlement
The area near Bowenfels has a long history. In 1813, famous explorers like Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson, and William Wentworth reached Mount Blaxland. This spot is very close to South Bowenfels. It was the furthest they went on their important journey across the Blue Mountains.
Later that same year, another explorer named George Evans followed their path. He then traveled west and discovered the O'Connell and Bathurst plains. This opened up new areas for settlement.
How Bowenfels Began
Bowenfels was officially started in the 1830s. It was built to help travelers using the new road to Bathurst. This road opened in 1832. The town was named by Surveyor-General Thomas Mitchell. He named it after George Mears Bowen, who used to work in his department.
The railway arrived in Bowenfels in 1869. This made travel and trade much easier. The railway line was updated in the 1950s to use electricity. While trains still pass through, passenger services no longer stop at Bowenfels station.
Important Historic Places
Bowenfels has several sites that are protected because of their historical importance. These are called heritage-listed sites. They include:
- The Great Western Highway: The historic building called Fernhill.
- Via Kirkley Street: The Lithgow Heavy Anti Aircraft Gun Stations and Dummy Station.
- Main Western railway: The old Bowenfels railway station.
- Main Western railway: The impressive Bowenfels rail viaducts (bridges).
Who Lives in Bowenfels?
Population Snapshot
According to the 2016 census, there were 2,048 people living in Bowenfels. Here's a quick look at the community:
- About 9.5% of the people were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
- Most people, about 78.9%, were born in Australia.
- A large majority, 84.8%, spoke only English at home.
- When it comes to religion, the most common choices were Catholic (25.5%), No Religion (24.2%), and Anglican (21.8%).
