Blackheath, New South Wales
Blackheath (elevation 1065 metres) is a small town located near the top of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, 120 kilometres west of Sydney and 10 kilometres northwest of Katoomba. It has a population of between four and five thousand. Many residents are weekly residents of Sydney or Lithgow.
History
Prior to European settlement of Australia the region of Blackheath was home to the Aboriginal Gundungura people. Some descendants of these people still reside in the modern township of a little over 4223 persons ([1] 2001 ABS Census Data). Blackheath was named in 1815 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie after the colour of the native shrubbery in the area. Macquarie recorded in his journal: "This place having a black wild appearance I have this day named it Black-Heath." The name is also sometimes taken as reference to the occurrence of bleak weather and the locals have also coined the phrase, 'Bleak-Heath'. Whilst true to some extent, this name is somewhat of a misnomer as Blackheath enjoys a sunny, temperate climate.
The first building in Blackheath, the 'Scotch Thistle Inn', was erected by Andrew Gardner in 1831. The inn was visited by Charles Darwin in 1836 1. Blackheath developed into a town after the railway line was built in 1869, the current station location being built in 1883. Blackheath's original post office opened in 1910 and has now been converted into a gift shop and the Café Memento.
Local Attractions
A short drive from Blackheath takes visitors to Govetts Leap, a lookout with spectacular views of the Grose Valley and nearby waterfalls. According to folklore, a bushranger named Govett rode off the cliff rather than be captured. This story is not verified by historical sources - more likely, the name draws on the definition of leap: 'The sudden fall of a river to a lower level' (OED). Evans Lookout provides an alternate vantage point for views into the same canyon system.
The area is known today for its colourful blooms in Spring and golden Autumn foliage as the weather begins to cool. In September, daffodils bloom and on the first weekend of November Blackheath hosts an annual Rhododendron Festival.
Geography & Climate
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A popular spot for tourists, Blackheath has managed not to overly commercialise and has a natural, fluid atmosphere, regardless of the season. The area around Blackheath contains some of the most spectacular views in the Blue Mountains, including those over the Grose Valley from Evans Lookout and Govetts Leap in the east, and the lesser-known vista of the Megalong Valley from Hargraves Lookout in the west, past the tiny hamlet of Shipley. As the highest town in the Mountains, Blackheath occasionally receives snow in winter (two settled falls per season is the average) and even in summer the temperatures are generally mild in comparison to other locations at the same latitude. Average maximum temperature in winter is around 10°C to 11°C although some days struggle to get above 5°C or 6°C. In summer average maximum temperatures are around 23°C where thunderstorms occur reasonably often.
Blackheath has a very relaxed and welcome feel with many residents being retired and many tourists seeking a holiday. It is also home to a collection of retreat centres including a Vipassana meditation center to the north of the town.