Rylstone – All you Need to Know
ALL ABOUT RYLSTONE
This is one of the oldest settlements west of the Great Dividing Range and lies on the banks of the Cudgegong River.
The colonial heritage is still reflected in the local architecture and this includes the magnificent sandstone Post and Telecommunications Office, the Police Station, the Courthouse and the Shire Hall.
It’s a very pleasant stroll around town. The Tindle Park Reserve is on the river banks, and a good spot for a picnic, barbeque and swim on a hot day.
Rylstone is also a place of lush gorges and gullies, streams and waterfalls, with some great views over Lake Windamere. Outside there is located on a sandstone rock overhang, are some beautifully preserved Aboriginal hand paintings, a legacy of 40,000 years of aboriginal history.
Just 15-minutes’ drive north of town you can visit Fern Tree Gully, a lush and verdant location with tree ferns, native plants and animals. Lying to the East is Wollemi National Park, the world heritage listed and largest wilderness area, that comprises a spectacular maze of canyons, cliffs and virgin forest. You can also visit ruins at Newnes and the nearby glow worm-filled railway tunnel.
This area is reputed to have some of the most spectacular scenery in the Central Ranges, if not the whole state. Rylstone was settled back in 1830 or so, and the main street still retains some of that heritage, with wide tree lined streets and the lovely old sandstone buildings, it has always been a centre for local agriculture and the area has a reputation and long tradition for the production of fine wool and cattle. These days wine, olives and goat production are also part of the agricultural landscape.
LOCAL THINGS to SEE and DO and LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
You can visit the vineyards and taste wines, and also visit and sample olive oil and products. It is the main centre for birdwatching in an area that has the richest and most diverse bird population in Australia with some 200 species. Tourists and birders come from all around the world. We have great clear skies and that’s why so many amateur astronomers choose Rylstone to come and observe the sky and the universe. We are close to some spectacular forests and bushwalking is perfect for those who want to explore, why not climb the magnificent pagoda rock formations and look at the Wollemi National Park.
You can also going hiking and walking or fishing at Ferntree Gully and we are rich in wildlife as well, and there are kangaroos, echidnas, wallabies, wombats and more. You can also go fishing, swimming and kayaking at the famous Dunn’s Swamp, or just go camping or park your RV and relax. There is sailing and fishing on Lake Windamere and you can stop and camp nearby at Cudgegong Waters Park. For a little extra interest you can visit the working steam engines at the Turon Technology Museum. There is the pottery to look at in nearby Lue and dirk bike racing in the states largest centre at the Lue Enduro Track
Take a Wollemi Wilderness Tour they are based at the Rylstone Globe Hotel, They specialize in Tours of The Wollemi National Park and Surrounding Areas. Wollemi Wilderness Tours can organise your trip and options include Cruises on Dunn's Swamp, 4WD Trips, Lunch and/or Dinner and Overnight Accommodation. Telephone (02) 6379 1122 or email info@wwtours.com.au
Wollemi Discoveries in October 2006
Archaeologists and bushwalkers discovered an almost-complete hafted stone axe, hidden on a ledge at the back of a rock shelter on an expedition in the Wollemi National Park. The team also identified about 50 previously unknown archaeological sites in the 500,000-hectare wilderness including a rock platform covered in engravings that also contain at least 40 figures, and it is the largest engraving site of its kind in the Greater Blue Mountains. There appear to be 25 engravings that are large and distinct, and these include anthropomorphised eagle figures, life-sized men and women, large ancestral beings, and other engravings resembling koala people Local Rylstone Accommodation
Right in the main street is the Globe Hotel, and this is a good place to stay. They have a good selection of beers and outside in summer is great. The open log fire in winter in the bar is wonderful. They offer 2 x Single Rooms - 1 single bed in the room, 4 x Twin Rooms - 2 single beds in the room, 3 x Queen Rooms - 1 Queen size bed in the room, 2 x Queen/Single Rooms - 1 Queen bed & 1 Single Bed in the room 1 x Family Room - 1 Queen bed, 2 x Single beds. Ph: (02) 6379 1048; email: info@theglobehotel.com.au. http://www.theglobehotel.com.au/ You can stay in The Cordial Factory. This is a modern and self contained accommodation in a restored 1870’s stone work shed and even won a National Trust award. It’s in the main street at 108 Louee Street. The Cordial Factory was built in the 1870’s to prepare sweet aerated waters and brandies to the locals. Since then it has been everything from a blacksmiths shop to a artist studio.
Outside Rylstone there are a variety of places to stay. Click on the links to learn more. For the best FARM STAY Accommodation near Rylstone For the best Accommodation around the town and For the best BED and BREAKFAST accommodation in the local area
Local Eating and Drinking
There is a fair range of places to eat and drink in Rylstone. The Globe Hotel has the adjoining The Shed bistro restaurant which is good value and very good quality Pub Grub. They have great steaks, daily blackboard specials, and of course local wines You can also eat at the counter. Probably the best hamburger in the west! The Globe is in the main street (46 Louee Street). The Bridge View Inn also has a cafe, bakery, licensed restaurant and is open all day and every day for breakfast to dinner. The Inn is on the main street (28-30 Louee Street)
On the Corner you will find Bizzy Birds, they do very good coffee as well as very good lunches and breakfasts. Good coffee is hard to find anywhere and they pride themselves with it. Open Thursday thru to Monday at 9.30 until 4pm and until 5 pm on Fridays.
For a good steak go to the Rylstone Hotel and Jessie’s Steakhouse. Open 7 days a week 12 until 3 pm for lunch and 6 to 9.30 for dinner Thursday to Saturday.
The Rylstone Club offers home style cooking and is open 12 until 2pm for lunches on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. And for evening meals it is open Friday and Saturday Nights between 6 and 8 pm.
When I am in town, one of my favorite stops on the main street is the Rylstone Fruit’n’Deli. A great little deli with good coffee, quality produce and hot take-away food. Open Monday to Friday at 8.30 until 5.30 and Saturday 8.30 until 3 pm.
Lollipop of Rylstone This is already my favorite store! and sells traditional lollies, toys and quality gifts. The store is at 42 Louee Street, next door to the Globe Hotel and is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10am to 4.30 pm. They really do have an amazing taste range.
Local Wines and Wine Tasting
De Beaurepaire Wines is one local wine and vineyard near Rylstone. They grow and make premium quality, cool climate wines, and you can taste them right in the main street every weekend and on public holidays from 11 until 4pm. They have their tasting room in a lovely old restored sandstone building. Rylstone is a newcomer to the existing nearby Mudgee wine scene, and the relatively cool climate with warm days and cool nights produces grapes of intensity, strong flavor and character
Another local vineyard is Louee Wines, with a cellar door on Cox’s Creek Road, and they are open Monday thru Saturday 10 until 4pm and Sundays from 11 until 2 pm.
The Mountilford Winery is also worth a visit and is at Ilford. The vineyard cellar door is at 1159 Mount Vincent Road and they are open Monday thru Sunday from 10.30
The Knowland Estate Winery is also at Ilford. The vineyard cellar door is on Mount Vincent Road and you need to make an appointment for tastings.
If you are sampling wines make sure you designate a driver and don’t drive, country roads may be less policed but the trees will get you.
Local Attractions and Services
The Rylstone Post Office
The Post Office is in the main street (at 81 Louee Street) and is probably the most unique in the world. Built in 1880 it has historic and heritage significance. When you enter you are greeted by some very laid back jazz music, a very laid back post master and his wife and it's rather akin to walking into someone's lounge room. The post office is also home to a gift store called A Place in the Country, and you will find some unique giftware. Whatever you do, call in and look, every post office should be like this.
Banking and Cash
ATM’s for extra cash are available at the Commonwealth Bank in the main street, also in Post Office and Westpac Bank Agency
For Gas and Vehicle Repairs
The BP petrol station is open Monday thru Saturday from 7.30 until 7 and Sundays 7.30 until 5.30 m
When You are Sick
The Rylstone District Hospital has an emergency and accident unit and is on the Sydney end of town
Kandos-Rylstone Community Radio
Listen to the Kandos-Rylstone Community Radio KRR 98.7 FM Listen to the news and weather hourly from 7am till 12 noon, then 4pm & 6pm, Monday to Friday. Hourly from 7am till 12 noon, Saturday and Sunday. So start your local day with brekky show, and depending on the day it's everything from rock to country.
If you need food The supermarket is open Monday thru Friday at 8.30 until 6 pm, Saturdays at 8.30 until 5pm and Sundays 8.30 until 4.30
If You Need Transport
Rylstone District Car Hire offers airport shuttle service and also to railway station in Lithgow. Also they can arrange and take you in Winery and district tours, or just take you to anywhere else you want.
Local Agricultural Supplies
No country town is complete without a good place to source all your farm materials. I own a 120 Ha (300 acre property) and raising my boer-goats needed supplies, so Rylstone Ag Supplies became my supplier of choice. Fertilizers, stock handling equipment, electric fencing materials.....Bill Mann, Rachel and the team were excellent, living in the country is about support and helping, business or non business. Click on the link to go to the Rylstone Ag Supplies Store page. All you need from seed and fertilizer to stock handling equipment and a lot more plus good advice, and this Months specials
All about the Rylstone region. |
