Bebeah, Mt Wilson & Carcoar Show
28 - 31 October
Overview
Date: Friday 28th - Monday 31st October, 2022
Please join me for a short retreat to CARCOAR – a town that time forgot!
We depart Sydney by train on Friday from Central to Mt. Victoria. Then by private coach to Mt. Wilson for lunch and an afternoon visit to Bebeah, one of the most beautiful gardens in this area. Depart late afternoon by private coach to Carcoar for the weekend. Saturday will be the 144th Carcoar Show aka the ‘best little show in the country’, a testament to the enduring quality of the event and always on the last Saturday in October.
Spend Sunday relaxing and discovering the ambience of this historic and peaceful town. We’ll depart on Monday after breakfast by private coach for the Sydney bound train later in the day. (Closer to this weekend we’ll check the calendar for what exhibitions, sculpture parks and gardens are open around this area).
About the Area
Carcoar
This 19th-century village, 258 km west of Sydney, was one of the most important government centres in NSW. With buildings on both banks of the Belubula River, the township is classified by the National Trust and in 2006 the population totalled 218 people. George Evans was the first European surveyor to travel through the area in 1815 and the public school which opened in 1857 is one of the oldest continuous schools in Australia.
The first bank robbery in Australia was in Carcoar in 1863 when Johnny Gilbert and John O’Meally led by Ben Hall held up the Commercial Bank. This is the site of Australia’s first documented uranium deposit; in the mid-1860s Carcoar declined when gold was discovered further to the west.
Bebeah
One of the original large garden estates of Mt Wilson, built by Edward Cox in 1880. It has been completely rejuvenated by Barry Byrne, its current owner for the last two decades, into an important and rare Australian example of a formal country garden. bebeahgarden.com
Tour Info
What to Bring
casual clothing
sensible walking shoes
hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, toiletries
art materials – your choice
(optional) portable seat for plein air work
Accommodation
Our accommodation and meals are in the welcoming Shalom retreat. Built in 1874 and 1870 respectively, the old convent/boarding school (St. Joseph’s Mount) is now a house of retreat with single bedrooms and shared bathrooms. NB 5 bedrooms are offered beside a bathroom (in various areas of Shalom). If you require one of these please nominate at time of booking. Wake to fresh scents of the valley, native bird song and pleasant views of the town and surrounding hills.
Included
3 nights single supp. accommodation
3 breakfasts / 2 lunches (fri&mon) / 3 dinners (please notify dietary requirements at time of booking)
private coach/driver transfer Mt. Victoria to Carcoar
private coach/driver transfer Carcoar to Bathurst or Lithgow
Not Included
Day 1: train Syd-Mt. Victoria ($2.50 senior)
Day 3: train Lithgow-Syd ($2.50 senior)
Alcohol or art materials
Lunch Sat & Sun
Itinerary
Fri / 28 Oct
We depart by train from Central Station approx 9.20am to Mt. Victoria; then by private coach to Bebeah, Mt. Wilson and arrive Carcoar in the late afternoon. Dinner and accommodation at Shalom.
Sat / 29 Oct
Following our delicious breakfast at Shalom we’ll stroll down the hill for an exciting day at the Carcoar Show.
There will be 5 horse rings operating including one for heavy horses. A magnificent display is expected.
Lots of entertainment and competitions. Experience John Clarke’s Petting Zoo, Yard Dog competition, Sports Shear and Wool Handling, Cattle and Paraders, Prime Lambs, Wood Chop. Try your hand at gold panning. There is a balancing act and a comedy act and the usual great displays in the Pavilion showing creativity in photography, art, flowers, home produce and craft.
Top musicians will entertain throughout the day, adjacent to the bar and unique stalls dotted throughout the show will offer a range of goods.
Dinner and accommodation at Shalom.
Sun / 30 Oct
Leisurely brunch outdoors if the weather is good and a relaxing day exploring springtime around Carcoar (optional - creating en plein air)
Meals and accomm at Shalom.
Mon / 31 Oct
We depart after breakfast by private coach for the homeward bound train to Sydney later in the day. We’ll stop enroute with picnic lunch and explore a local area.
