The History Of Lawsons Long Alley

In 1813 the three famous Australian explorers, Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson, finally conquered the previously impenetrable terrain of The Blue Mountains allowing access to the enormous lands of the west. They descended the Mountains by arduously cutting a track that became known as Lawsons Long Alley which runs through "Lawson Park".

William Lawson discovered what he thought was a coal seam. After later inspection, the seam was found to actually be shale and, by 1860, a large shale-mining industry had developed from which kerosene was extracted. There is a blocked mine entrance from that time on "Lawson Park" plus various artefacts, an old gravesite and nearby ruins.

When Lawsons Long Alley was the only route to travel over the Mountains, and carriages needed to descend or ascend the steep, rough incline, the horses were disconnected and a primitive pulley system was used whereby ropes were thrown from the carriage and up to the strongest tree. After the occupants withdrew and baggage removed, then both manual strength and horse power were harnessed to, ever-so-slowly, transport the carriage up or down. Segments from some less fortunate drays have been unearthed and are displayed around the farm.