We spent yesterday arvo bush-bashing down to the Zig Zag Railway viaducts above Lithgow, NSW and looking around the place for a few hours.

In this shot you can see the No. 1 Viaduct on the Top Road track. A little further down is the larger No. 2 Viaduct. And on the Bottom Road (which is the train line near the bottom of this pic) is the No. 3 Viaduct.

Comprising rock cuttings, classical sandstone viaducts and tunnels, the Lithgow Zig Zag was, and remains to this day, a magnificent piece of engineering. Construction of this part of the rail system began in 1866 and was completed by the late 1890s. The line was decommissioned in 1910 with the construction of the Ten Tunnels deviation which is still in use today by state rail.

Back in the early 1970s, volunteers worked to bring the line back into operation as an iconic tourist railway which ran for decades, bringing with it tourism dollars to the wider Lithgow area.

In 2013, a huge bushfire swept through the area and destroyed a lot of the infrastructure and equipment used by the Zig Zag Railway. Since that day work has proceeded to slowly bring the tourist train line back into operation It is hoped it'll be up and running again in the next year or so.

Follow @zigzagrailway on Insta and Facebook for updates.

For more pics of this awesome area, check out the 4WD Swagman facebook page.

#zigzagrailway
#lithgow
#stoneviaduct
#railway
#bluemountains
#djimavicpro

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"Pleasant stay "

"The location was amazing. It had amazing views and very close to the national park."

AED 435 total

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6 Oct - 7 Oct

"perfect location, very good service and value. Easy check in & out, highly recommend "

AED 326 total

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2 Oct - 3 Oct

Queen Spa Suite | Premium bedding, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

"The front desk staff were very accommodating and super friendly. "

AED 364 total

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28 Oct - 29 Oct

"Great place to stay"

AED 493 total

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7 Oct - 8 Oct

2 bedrooms, individually decorated, individually furnished, desk

"Quiet clean room parking "

AED 305 total

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13 Oct - 14 Oct

"Comfortable bed. Clean and near shops. Recommended!! Friendly staff on duty when checked in and helpful when asked for another room.😀"

AED 387 total

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27 Oct - 28 Oct

"The place is old but overall it was a pleasant stay."

AED 342 total

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9 Oct - 10 Oct

"We enjoyed our stay"

AED 483 total

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7 Oct - 8 Oct

"A great super clean place with a fantastic manager. Definitely would recommend."

AED 375 total

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3 Oct - 4 Oct

Hotel Deluxe Large Family Room | Premium bedding, bed sheets

"Love this place"

AED 340 total

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2 Oct - 3 Oct

"Good location, good bed and clean."

AED 314 total

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2 Oct - 3 Oct

"Our unit was very comfortable and clean, despite being quite compact."

AED 326 total

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2 Oct - 3 Oct

"Excellent restaurant & clean rooms."

AED 597 total

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2 Oct - 3 Oct

"We enjoyed our stay"

AED 368 total

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8 Oct - 9 Oct

"Good spot Friendly operators "

AED 464 total

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3 Oct - 4 Oct

"Have stayed here many times. First time in room next to highway and train tracks. Definitely noisier than other rooms. "

AED 323 total

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Top Clarence Hotel Reviews

Leura Gardens Resort

10/10 Excellent

"Nice service "

Frequently asked questions

What can I expect from a motel trip to Clarence?

If you're having trouble locating a motel in Clarence, allow Expedia help you find a motel or something similar from more than 792 accommodations in the larger area. Just use our search tools to filter by nightly room rate or money-saving amenities such as free breakfast and free airport transportation.

What is a motel?

Motel properties often include free parking, and many also include an outdoor pool. Often one or two stories tall, motel properties usually have outdoor access to guestrooms from the parking lot. In the U.S., motels became more commonplace at the end of the 1940s with the appeal of road trip vacations, peaking in the 1960s with over 60,000 properties.

What are the best motels in Clarence?

Here are some of our customers' top motels to book in the larger area. Sky Rider Motor Inn is located 17.1 mi (27.5 km) from the heart of Clarence. Enjoy access to the seasonal outdoor pool, and freebies including WiFi and parking. Motel Echo Point: Free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities are available during your stay. Central Clarence is 18.7 mi (30.1 km) away. Katoomba Town Centre Motel: Enjoy access to the laundry facilities, and freebies including WiFi and parking. Located 17.9 mi (28.8 km) from the heart of Clarence. Commercial Hotel Motel Lithgow: Central Clarence is 3.7 mi (6 km) away. Free parking and a bar are available during your stay, along with room amenities like a kitchen. Alpine Motor Inn: 17.3 mi (27.8 km) from the heart of Clarence. Enjoy access to the laundry facilities, and freebies including WiFi and parking.

What can I do in Clarence?

Some outdoorsy places nearby include Wollemi National Park, Lake Lyell, and Campbell Rhododendron Gardens. You'll find these family-friendly sights in the area: Mount Victoria Railway Museum, State Mine Heritage Park and Railway, and Old Wallerawang Station. While you're checking out the area, consider visiting Zig Zag Railway, Eskbank House and Museum, and Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, Mount Tomah.

What's the seasonal weather like in Clarence?

Weather can make or break a roadtrip, so we've gathered some data about year-round temperatures in Clarence to help you plan yours. The hottest months are usually January and December with an average temp of 64°F, while the coldest months are July and August with an average of 46°F. Average annual precipitation for Clarence is 37 inches.

What are my options for getting around Clarence when staying in a motel?

We've gathered some information about local transportation options in Clarence to help you navigate your stay: Fly into Bathurst, NSW (BHS), which is located 32.6 mi (52.5 km) from the heart of the city. To explore the surrounding area, ride one of the trains from Zig Zag Station or Top Points Station.

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Commercial Hotel Motel Lithgow

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Blue Mountains Heritage Motel

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Leura Gardens Resort

Leisure Inn Spires

Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains MGallery Collection

Sky Rider Motor Inn

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Kyah Hotel

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Mountain Heritage Hotel

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