BLAXLAND
Blaxland is around 40 minutes drive from Katoomba and 10 minutes from Penrith. Blaxland is a thriving community with churches, shopping centre, community groups, a library, children's play centres, bush fire brigade, chamber of commerce and a small industrial area.
East Blaxland is located along the Old Bathurst Road. This section of the Old Bathurst Road joins the Great Western Highway between Blaxland and Emu Plains. Still used today, the road features some extremely steep, sharp bends.
The ruins behind McDonald's Blaxland are a reminder of the town's beginnings. They tell the story of Pilgrim Inn built by Barnett Levey, a free immigrant Jew who received one of the first land grants in 1825.
Blaxland was originally named Wascoe after the family of John Outrim Wascoe who held a licence for the Pilgrim Inn. This however was not the original Pilgrim Inn, but a second Pilgrim Inn which was built in Blaxland. The original Pilgrim Inn was located at the junction of the three early roads - Cox's Road, Mitchell's Pass and Old Bathurst Road. The town’s name was changed to Blaxland in 1914 after Gregory Blaxland - one of the famous explorers to first cross the Blue Mountains.
The main shopping centre caters extremely well for the community, and a smaller shopping centre at East Blaxland is great for the essential items. Blaxland is the only town within the Blue Mountains with a McDonald's Family Restaurant. Other McDonald's Restaurants are located in Emu Plains and Lithgow.
Open 10.30am the first Sunday each month (excluding January) is the Wascoe Siding Miniature Railway. The miniature trains are driven by a variety of steam, diesel or electric locomotives. This is a great experience for the whole family. The railway is located in Grahame Street.
The Bicentennial Quilt is on display at the Blaxland Library, located in Hope Street. The quilt consists of various squares, each depicting a different aspect of the Blue Mountains. The quilt was crafted by several local volunteers and took around 18 months to complete.
Just off the Great Western Highway in St John’s Road is Blaxland Oval, home of many sporting events. Blaxland also features several small parks including Blaxland Park opposite Blaxland Primary School, and Lennox Park off Matthew Parade. In East Blaxland there is also Thomas Park on Boorea Street, and Robertswood Park along Robertswood Road.
