Rydal, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RydalNew South Wales |
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 Rydal
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 163 (2021 census) | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2790 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 957 m (3,140 ft) | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Lithgow | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Bathurst | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Calare | ||||||||
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Rydal is a small, quiet village in the countryside of New South Wales, Australia. It's a great place to visit if you love nature and history.
Rydal is about 154 kilometers (96 miles) west of Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales. It's also just 22 kilometers (14 miles) west of the city of Lithgow. You can find it about 6 kilometers off the main Great Western Highway.
The Main Western Railway line goes right through Rydal. This means you can catch a train to and from Sydney and Bathurst from Rydal station. The XPT passenger train also stops here.
Rydal was first settled by Europeans in the 1820s. It used to be a very busy village in the mid-1800s and early 1900s. This was because it was on the main road to Bathurst. However, a new highway was built in 1929, which went around Rydal. This made the village much quieter.
Today, Rydal has a hotel that offers food, drinks, and places to stay. It's usually open on weekends. There are no other shops in the village itself. The closest shops and fuel are about 12 kilometers away in Wallerawang. You can also find other places to stay, like bed and breakfast homes. There is a public pay telephone, and only Telstra mobile phones work well in the village.
Rydal has a volunteer fire station run by the NSW Rural Fire Service. These brave volunteers help with fires, car accidents, and bushfires.
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Fun Things to Do in Rydal
Rydal is known for its fun events and beautiful outdoor activities.
Rydal Show: The Biggest Little Show
The Rydal Agricultural and Horticultural Show is a super fun event held every year. It takes place at the Rydal Showgrounds on the first Saturday of February. This show has lots of entertainment for everyone!
You can watch exciting horse riding events, which are a big highlight. There are also displays of local farm produce, amazing art, cool photography, and delicious home cooking. People call it the "Biggest Little Show in The West" because it's so much fun for a small village!
Daffodils at Rydal: A Spring Festival
If you love flowers, you'll adore Daffodils at Rydal. This garden festival happens on the second and third weekends of September. It's all about the beautiful daffodil flowers that bloom everywhere!
The festival takes place along Rydal's main street, in its gardens, and in local parks. You can also visit open gardens in the nearby area. Thousands of daffodils are planted all over the district, making it a stunning sight. This festival also helps raise money for charities.
Outdoor Adventures Near Rydal
Rydal is a great spot for outdoor adventures.
- Four-wheel driving and trail biking: You can explore the nearby Lidsdale State Forest and Marrangaroo National Park.
- Fishing: The nearby Coxs River and Lake Lyell are perfect for fishing.
The Rydal Village Association has created nice parks for picnics. They also have a heritage walk where you can see historic buildings and interesting spots. The Association is working to get public toilets for visitors. For now, you can use the toilets at the hotel when it's open.
Rydal's Past
Rydal got its name from a village called Rydal in Cumbria, England. Europeans first settled here in the 1820s. The Rydal railway station officially opened on July 1, 1869.
Historic Places to See
Rydal has some special places that are protected because of their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. They include:
- The Main Western railway line: This includes the historic Rydal railway station.
- The Main Western railway line: This also includes the old Rydal rail underbridges.
