An isolated township beyond the limits of the Blue Mountains in the central tablelands of New South Wales. Gold, silver, copper and bismuth mining have all occurred in the area over the years.

Location: Oberon is 42 km south-east of Bathurst and 183 km west of Sydney; 1113 m above sea-level.

Visitor Centre, Oberon: Cnr Ross St and Edith Rd. Ph. (02) 6329 8210

Events: The Oberon Show is held on the second weekend in February. The following weekend is the Oberon Rodeo.

The Daffodil Festival occurs on the last weekend in September. The Oberon Woodcraft Exhibition runs concurrently at Malachi Gilmore Hall (a collection of woodcraft is kept at the council chambers). During the festival, and in October, the district's best gardens are opened up for inspection.

The Oberon Community Art-and-Craft Exhibition is held in mid-November.

There are two golf tournaments held in December at the local golf course which boasts kangaroos, birdlife and views of Lake Oberon.

Lake Oberon: south of the town is Lake Oberon, Oberon Dam and the Fish River. There is a picnic area at the dam and a reserve with walking tracks near the lake. It is noted for its brown and rainbow trout which can be fished all year round. Boats and swimming are not permitted as the water is used for drinking purposes.


Burraga (25 km south-west of Black Springs): established as a mining town in the 1880s around the Lloyd Copper Mine which was one of the major copper producers in the country until it closed in the early 1900s.The population reached a peak of 6,000 (it is now about 800). A few remnants can still be seen on the outskirts of the village, such as shafts, slag heaps and the largest chimney stack in the Southern Hemisphere. Memorabilia relating to the mine can be seen at the Mill Museum in Rockley. The mine was served by Burraga Dam, just north of the village. Today it is used for camping, fishing and picnicking.

O'Connell (23 km north-west): an historic village on the Fish River which is classified by the National Trust. The township developed in the 1820s on the first road extending west to Bathurst. The hotel dates from 1865. The old Catholic Church and convent have been converted to private residences while the Anglican Church is still in use.


Tarana (21 km north): a small village situated in a picturesque valley. Evans Crown Nature Reserve is an attractive bushwalking area with diverse fauna and flora and some outstanding granite tors. Crown Rock was an initiation and corroboree site for the Wiradjuri people. From its apex George Evans first sighted the Bathurst Plains in 1813. Today it is popular with abseilers. The track to the summit is not difficult and takes about half an hour.

Black Springs (24 km south): south of this small village, in a lovely setting, is the historic stone Avoca Catholic Church and Shrine. Fossicking can be enjoyed at Sapphire Bend, off Riverview Rd, in Vulcan Forest. Exotic wood mushrooms can be found in the forest from late January to May and there is trout fishing nearby.

Jenolan Caves: one of the most popular tourist destinations in regional NSW, there are nine caves regularly shown to tourists, although several hundred of various sizes have been found in this area. On the northern side of the Grand Archway are Lucas, River, Pool of Cerberus, Orient, Ribbon and Temple of Baal Caves; and on the southern side are Chifley, Imperial and Jubilee Caves. The north-side caves include those with high domed chambers (Temple of Baal and Orient) as well as tunnel-like caves, while the south-side caves are all tunnel forms. A large cave remnant, Carlotta Arch, is like a window looking out high above the Devils Coach House.