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The Capertee Valley is just west of the Blue Mountains, in NSW Australia. It is the 2nd largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It is 1km longer than the Grand Canyon, but not as deep. It has a reputation as a fantastic birding spot... a place where eastern birds meet their western cousins. But, it also is known for it's spectacular scenery.
This shot was taken late afternoon near the township of Glen Alice.
Sometimes, beauty is viewed best from the air… Spent Sunday driving out west over the Blue Mountains to Mudgee in the Central Tablelands, within the Capertee Valley. Also, had the drone (DJI AIR3) with me!!
Some stunning sites to see from above!!
The heritage-listed Mudgee Railway Station was constructed back in the 1880s, as a gateway to the town.
However, it hasn’t welcomed passenger trains in nearly 40 years and the line was closed in 2004.
The former oil shale mining town is in the Capertee Valley, the largest enclosed valley in the southern hemisphere.
About 2500 people lived in the town in its heyday. The site is available to restricted groups on weekends.
However, when I was there in the early 1980s it was easy to get permission from the local landowner.
Main line indicator showing a pulsating white light, indicating proceed. It means the points are set and any level crossing protection is operating, and the train may proceed provided it is in possession of the appropriate authority.
Following the photo runby, the passengers return to their carriages. It was a pleasant, sunny Spring day.
Red Wedge Pea (Gompholobium uncinatum). This was my first time seeing this plant so I was very excited! Found along a fire trail in the Capertee Valley, NSW.
The former oil shale mining town is in the Capertee Valley, the largest enclosed valley in the southern hemisphere.
About 2500 people lived in the town in its heyday. The site is available to restricted groups on weekends.
However, when I was there in the early 1980s it was easy to get permission from the local landowner.
The view of Baal Bone area from Pantoney's Crown, Capertee Valley, NSW. 25 Sep 83
I remember this weekend very well; it was the weekend that Australia and Alan Bond won the America's Cup. We sat around the radio listening intently.
Here is the BAAL BONE cliffs.
Gang-gang Cockatoo
Callocephalon fimbriatum
Capertee Valley,Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia
10th. February 2008
690V0953
Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax audax), Glen Davis, Capertee Valley, NSW, Australia
Ebird checklist:
ebird.org/australia/view/checklist/S52616695
The wedge-tailed eagle or bunjil (Aquila audax) is the largest bird of prey in Australia, and is also found in southern New Guinea, part of Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. It has long, fairly broad wings, fully feathered legs, and an unmistakable wedge-shaped tail.
Source: Wikipedia
There are some birds that seem misnamed (Ring-necked Duck, Aythya collaris) and others that are cursed with a clunky appelation (Crinkle-collared Manucode, Manucodia chalybatus) that obscures a quiet elegance. Others seem only well-named for half of the year (I'm looking at you Red Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius). Then there is the Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), which seems to bear a perfect name. In fact, most of the fairywrens have lyrical names that illustrate the wonder of the particular species. The fairywrens come in fourteen flavors including: Lovely, Variegated, Superb, Splendid and Emperor. Even a few of the more technically-named varieties have great descriptive words: Blue-breasted, Red-winged, Purple-crowned, Red-backed, White-winged, Orange-crowned and White-shouldered. This leaves the curiosities of Broad-billed and Wallace’s Fairywren as the two plainest-named known species of fairywren. The Superb Fairywren photographed hers is a member of one of the mainland races: Malurus cyaneus cyanochlamys. (Photographed in the Capertee Valley, New South Wales, Australia)
Jenny climbing Pantoney's Crown, Capertee Valley, NSW. 25 Sep 83
I remember this weekend very well; it was the weekend that Australia and Alan Bond won the America's Cup. We sat around the radio listening intently.
This shot taken from Pearson's Lookout at sunset from near the village of Capertee.
Pearsons Lookout
Just 2 km south of town, on the Mudgee Rd, is Pearsons Lookout. It furnishes outstanding views of the Capertree Valley to the east. Nearly 30 km across it is the largest enclosed valley in the world. Rising dramatically from the valley floor is Pantoneys Crown, a column-like, flat-topped mountain, named after William Pantoney, one of the members of the first European expedition through the area - that of John Blackman in 1821.
9-shot stitched panorama.
Oil shale was first discovered in the northern side of the Capertee Valley around 1865 by local grazier Mr. B.R. McLean. Glen Davis still has the largest seam of high grade oil shale in the world. The first shale oil lease was granted in 1891 to MPI Mining Development which later abandoned the scheme. This site was the centre point for the future development.
The wartime petrol shortage caused the Government to organise a revival of oil shale mining and treatment in 1940. Mr. G, F, Davis of Davis Gelantine undertook the proposed development and a new company was formed (National Oil Pty. Ltd.). Much of the equipment from the abandoned Newnes oil shale works was transferred to Glen Davis.
A pipeline was built so that products could be pumped to storage tanks at Newnes Junction. The pipeline followed the route of the Newnes railway line which was removed in the 1940's. In 1940 the first oil was produced and in 1941 some 4,273,315 gallons were produced. 170 miners were employed.
Initial housing conditions were deplorable. Lack of schooling facilities, unreliable food supplies and endemic diseases accentuated the already poor living conditions. By 1947 the situation had improved. A hotel, barracks, staff cottages and permanent housing had been built. The town population of 1,600 had access to a school, post office, hall, cinema, bank, chemist, butcher and general stores.
By 1950 production levels were dropping and operating costs were continuing to rise. The years of industrial trouble, difficulties with retorts, Labour, material shortages and the importing of middle east crude-oil finally led to the closure of the works in 1952. The plant was sold at auction.
Information from Lithgow tourism website.
Capertee Valley, Gardens of Stone National Park, NSW.
Capertee Valley is the second largest naturally eroded river valley in the world, after the Grand Canyon. In fact, though the Grand Canyon is deeper, Capertee Valley is both wider and longer than its American counterpart. Capertee Valley is as much as 30km wide, and is 1km longer than the Grand Canyon.
Under the Capertee sandstone canyon lie layers of coal and oil shale.
Stitched Panorama - 2 photos.