Mount Wilson, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Wilson New South Wales
Autumn foliage at Mount Wilson
Population	81 (2021 census)
Established	1880
Postcode(s)	2786
Elevation	1,008 m (3,307 ft)
Location	130 km (81 mi) NW of Sydney CBD 34 km (21 mi) E of Lithgow
LGA(s)	City of Blue Mountains
State electorate(s)	Blue Mountains
Federal Division(s)	Macquarie
Localities around Mount Wilson: Bell Blue Mountains National Park Mount Irvine Bell Mount Wilson Mount Irvine Blue Mountains National Park Mount Tomah Mount Tomah

Mount Wilson
Mount Wilson Location in New South Wales
Highest point
Elevation	1,008 m (3,307 ft)
Parent peak	Bell Range
Geography
Location	Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

Mount Wilson is a small village located in the beautiful Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. It's about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of Sydney. In 2021, only 81 people lived there. Mount Wilson is famous for its stunning gardens, great walking trails, and amazing natural scenery. It's also a popular spot for an adventure sport called canyoning.

Exploring Mount Wilson's Natural Beauty

Mount Wilson is a long, low mountain area that stretches for about 5 kilometers (3 miles). It is completely surrounded by the Blue Mountains National Park. This park is so special that it's recognized as a World Heritage Area.

The village has become a residential area. Many homes here have amazing, detailed gardens. These gardens are now a big tourist attraction. Mount Wilson is especially popular in autumn. That's when the leaves on the trees turn bright red and orange, making the area look incredibly colorful. The people living in Mount Wilson have worked hard to protect their village. They have managed to keep it from becoming too developed, unlike some other towns in the mountains.

A Glimpse into Mount Wilson's Past

Mount Wilson was first explored and mapped in 1868 by Edward Wyndham. It was later named after Bowie Wilson. He was an important government official at the time, serving as the Secretary for Lands in New South Wales.

In the late 1800s, Mount Wilson became a popular summer getaway. Wealthy families would come here to escape the heat. They planted large gardens around their homes. The rich volcanic soil in the area was perfect for growing plants.

Historic Buildings and Estates

You can still see some historical buildings today.

• St George's Church: This church was built by the children of Henry Marcus Clark. It was officially opened in 1916.
• Withycombe: This house is on The Avenue. It was built by George Henry Cox. He was the grandson of William Cox. William Cox built the very first road over the Blue Mountains.

The famous novelist Patrick White spent some of his childhood in Mount Wilson. His parents lived there from 1912 to 1937. He even wrote about the place in his 1981 book, Flaws in the Glass.

Heritage-Listed Places

Mount Wilson has some sites that are protected for their historical importance. These are called heritage-listed sites.

• Wynstay Estate: Located at 68-78 The Avenue, this estate is a significant historical place.

Fun Things to Do in Mount Wilson

Mount Wilson offers many exciting activities, especially for nature lovers.

Gardens and Walks

Of course, visiting the famous gardens is a must-do. But there are also many beautiful walks:

• Waterfall Reserve: A great place to explore.
• Davies Lane: Here you'll find a special rainforest area.
• Cathedral of Ferns: A magical spot filled with ferns.
• Pheasants Cave: An interesting cave to discover.
• Chinamans Hat: A unique rock formation.
• Wollangambe River: A track for more experienced walkers.

Adventure and Scenery

Mount Wilson is a very popular place for canyoning. This adventure sport involves traveling through canyons. The area has many sandstone canyons, some easy and some more challenging.

You can also enjoy amazing views from lookouts like:

• Wynnes Rocks Lookout
• Du Faurs Rocks Lookout

Camping and Cycling

While there are no official camping grounds, you can camp in the Waterfall Reserve picnic area. Mount Wilson is also great for photography, with many scenic spots.

If you enjoy cycling, the quiet roads are perfect. You can have a delightful ride, especially outside of busy autumn and spring weekends. An exciting 10-kilometer (6-mile) ride to Mount Irvine is available for experienced cyclists. This route goes through beautiful rainforests and magnificent Blue Mountains Ash forests.

Gallery

• 

  Withycombe, built by George Henry Cox

• 

  Cathedral of Ferns

• 

  St George's Church

• 

  The autumn colour of the Bebeah Private Garden

• 

  Dennarque Estate at Mt Wilson, New South Wales, c. 1925