Bulahdelah, about 250km north of Sydney was once on the bustling Pacific Highway but now a new freeway bypasses this beautiful town. Bulahdelah actually means ‘the meeting of two rivers ‘ by the Worimi people who called this place home. Surrounded by farms and the stunning Myall Lakes its now a go to place where there are stacks of things to do. History goes back to 1818 when John Oxley stumbled and then surveyed the area and with rich fertile land surrounding the town pastrolist’s soon moved in with timber getters.
The town soon grew with a school, shops, police station etc. Today the town has basic services, coffee shops, free camping beside the river and attracts plenty of grey nomads. If your keen for a bit of a history walk, you can check out the old court house and the relics just 2 mins walk from town on the eastern side. A self guided walk ( with a brochure ) is a great way to spend an hour. The court house is open at random times- best to check the times on the door. Built back in 1886 its a legacy to the pioneers and around the grounds you can check out things like an old boiler used on a barge in 1921, log drays, massive old winches and more.
Bulahdelah is also home to the big bass. This 5 foot long hand carved timber feature sits proudly in town looking over the river system which once saw the humble Bass nearly fished out of extinction. To the forest to the north there is also a great forest drive the Grandis Tree. Believed to be one of the tallest trees in NSW and stand at an impressive 77 metres high and its said to be about 400 years old. Maybe hire a house boat and explore the massive Myall Lake river and Lake system - you'll be busy for days.
If you're super keen for a hike then Alum Mountain awaits, full of imposing rock Tors, a host of different orchids with stunning views at the top. Explorer John Oxley named the 292 metre high mountain back in 1818 when he passed by.
Well back in the late 1880’s infrastructure was put into place from the mountain to the river in the way of a huge tramway, dams, boilers and down to a jetty near the town so Alum could be loaded onto barges.The tramway lasted until WW11 then a road was put up onto the mountain that replaced the timber and steel tramway. Back in its day it was the steepest tramway in NSW. Today where the new freeway bypasses the town you’ll go under the road to the mountain and it was here where the processing plant and kilns once were.
Today you can walk to the top of Alum or Bulahdelah Mountain and check out the mine workings, the bloody awesome views old relics along the way and experience the local Worimi people carvings in the trees. Pronounced Boolah-Dillah the mountain has historical and spiritual significance to the local people.
You’ll need a medium level of fitness to walk up but its def worth the effort, allowing about two hours to enjoy what there is. Alunite is used for fertiliser ( potash and aluminium ) and for textiles in the clothing industry and was mined right up until 1950. The mine has various other historical and heritage significance where it's reported to be the only commercial mine in Aust that has exploded Alunite and the longest duration - plus several other geographical significant features. Today the area is looked after by the State Forest. I have been looking at this mountain for over 20 years wondering if you could walk to the top, and I must say that after a mornings explore it has been well worth the effort.
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