Mount Gibraltar Quarries - Historical Significance

    The summit of Mount Gibraltar is 863m, which is composed of the igneous rock microsyenite, known commercially as Bowral Trachyte. 

    The Gib was quarried for 100 years, 1886-1996, for stone to build many grand public buildings.

    It was used locally in some quantity, but the bulk of it was exported to Sydney for major city buildings (e.g. Challis House, Martin Place; National Mutual Building, George Street; QVB, George Street; ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park) and major public works (e.g. Hawkesbury River Bridge at Brooklyn). 

    These structures have been listed on the State Heritage Register for their architectural, technical and engineering qualities. The trachyte from Bowral and the quarries from which it was extracted are significant for their contribution to the built heritage of the State. 

    The stone from these quarries was used for the commemorative stones for Federation and for the foundation of Canberra and many war memorials.

    Historic Tram Track - Welby to the Nattai Escarpment

    The Box Vale Walking track follows the route of an historic tram track from Welby to the Nattai escarpment and has an 84m tunnel.

    Mirror Flash Communication

    In Autumn a 'mirror flash' takes place from Gibbergunyah Reserve to the Katoomba Hotel.

    This enormous distance between here and the Blue Mountains, which looks so incredibly daunting, has always been tied by visual lines of communication.

    In the old days, the young people of the tribe would go ahead, set up camp and light a fire, and then the older people would know where the camp was and navigate through the bush by the rising smoke.

    There is also evidence that flashing has been used across the mountains for thousands of years, with polished shells taking the place of mirrors in pre-colonial times.