Mt Wilson, Carcoar & Hill End
6 - 9 March 2026
Overview
Date: Friday 6th - Monday 9th March, 2026
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 with time to explore one of the beautiful open gardens with our sketch books.
Depart mid afternoon by private coach to Shalom, our accommodation in Carcoar. Take time all Saturday to relax and discover the ambience of this historic and peaceful town with many opportunities to create art, relax and explore.
We’ll visit Hill End by private coach on Sunday and return to Carcoar late afternoon.
Return to Sydney on Monday after breakfast by private coach to Lithgow and then early afternoon train to Central. (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.
Mt. Wilson Heritage Gardens
Closer to departure we will choose which heritage garden to visit and hope the first turning of autumn leaves will be apparent.
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.
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 / 3 lunches (Fri, Sat & Sun) / 3 dinners
(please notify dietary requirements at time of booking)private coach/driver transfer Mt. Victoria - Mt Wilson - Carcoar (Fri)
private coach/driver transfer Carcoar to Hill End/return (Sun)
private coach/driver transfer Carcoar to Lithgow (Mon)
Not Included
Day 1: train Syd-Mt. Victoria ($2.50 senior)
Day 3: train Lithgow-Syd ($2.50 senior)
Alcohol or art materials
Itinerary
Fri 6 March
We depart by train from Central Station approx 9.20am to Mt. Victoria; then transfer by private coach to Mt. Wilson for lunch in one of the magnificent heritage gardens.
Depart mid afternoon for transfer by private coach to our accommodation in Carcoar in the late afternoon.
Dinner / accom - Shalom
Sat 7 March
After a leisurely breakfast outdoors at Shalom if the weather is good, we’ll spend the day relaxing and exploring the fascinating, historical town of Carcoar. Plenty of time to create art.
Breakfast / dinner /accom - Shalom
Sun 8 March
Depart after breakfast by private coach to Hill End for a day of exploration around this fascinating and famous village.
Breakfast / dinner / accom - Shalom.
Mon 9 March
Depart after breakfast by private coach to Lithgow for the homeward bound train to Sydney in the early afternoon.
We’ll stop enroute with picnic lunch and explore a local area or gallery.
