Bathurst Goldfields Excursion

Last week our Stage 3 students attended a 3 day excursion to Bathurst Goldfields and the Blue Mountains.

Our day began early and we made good time travelling to Echo Point where we stopped for morning tea and to view the Three Sisters. We then set off to Jenolan Caves and despite a very nausea-inducing bus ride arrived at the caves for lunch and a tour. Our tour guide took us on a wonderful exploration of the massive Lucas Cave which amazed us with its beauty and interesting rock formations. It was then back on the bus to Bathurst, where we arrived at our new home for the next two days. The students were very excited and enthusiastic to settle into their dorms and prepare for the night’s activities. After dinner and dessert students prepared for the highly anticipated T-Factor (thank you Mrs Bowman) where we were entertained with all sorts of singing and dancing performances. (Make sure you watch the video below – hilarious!)

Our second day began early with a variety of activities that allowed the students to gain an understanding of life on the goldfields. They enjoyed bush cooking, making a campsite and mud bricks and also went on a site tour with our friendly guide Barry. After lunch students were able to try their luck at gold panning. Unfortunately none of us struck it rich, but enjoyed having a go. After dinner we set off up the hill for our colonial music night. Here we sat around the campfire, sang some traditional folk songs and had fun doing some bush dancing.

On our third day we began by packing up our rooms ready for the bus trip to the Blue Mountains. Our group was accompanied by 4 guides who took us on an epic bushwalk down through the Blue Mountains where we walked down the historic Furber steps – all 1000 of them! The scenery was spectacular but unfortunately my camera had died by that stage. When we reached the bottom we boarded the new scenic railway with its glass roof which travelled backwards up the hill at a 52 degree angle. Thankfully the ride only lasted a few minutes! After lunch outside Scenic World it was time to board the bus ready to head for home with a quick stop a Maccas on the way back.

Wow! What an amazing 3 days. Thank you to all the wonderful Tighes Hill kids and teachers who made this trip so fantastic. It was such a worthwhile experience for our students who, for many, were experiencing their first camp or time away from home. I would also like to commend our students on their excellent behaviour during the trip. I received many kind remarks from tour organisers at the Goldfields as well as from the public during our McDonald’s stop. Great work, Tighes Hill and enjoy your 2 weeks of holidays. You deserve them!

MsArmstrong's Bathurst 2013 album on Photobucket

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