Blackheath, NSW, is located near the highest point of the Blue Mountains, between Katoomba and Mount Victoria.
The quaint village of Blackheath has many cool-climate gardens surrounded by gum trees.
Darug (Dharug) and Gundungurra People
Aboriginal Australians travelled through the Blackheath area and may have camped there but they left very little evidence. E. D. Stockton, Archaeology of the Blue Mountains, 1993, stated that 'the Gundungurra (many spellings) people probably came from the Megalong and Jamison Valleys, but because of the cold climatic conditions, the Upper Blue Mountains were probably only intermittently occupied (1,).
 |
| The word 'corroboree' was adopted by British settlers soon after colonisation from the Dharug ("Sydney language") Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 - 1872), Friday 16 June 1865 |
Dr. Geoff Ford's research argues that many Aboriginal people identified as Dharug in the Hawkesbury/northern Blue Mountains region are historically misidentified, having originally been the Darkiñung people. He suggests that Norman Tindale (1940) mislocated the Dharug, and this error was perpetuated by later researchers.
The Darug and Gundungurra people maintained a hunter-gatherer society. Women were the
primary gatherers, collecting vegetables, roots, fruits, nuts, eggs, and small animals, while men hunted larger land animals and birds.
1800sGovernor Philip Gidley King, led a party of soldiers,
convicts, and Aboriginal guides from Parramatta on 6 November 1802 to scout passes along the Blue Mountains' foothills, traversing Gandangara country via the Nepean and Nattai river.
Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth passed through the now village of Blackheath on 27th May, 1813.
 |
| An expedition led by Gregory Blaxland, William Charles Wentworth and William Lawson in 1813 was the first successful crossing of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales by European settlers |
Surveyor George William Evans passed through Blackheath on 23rd November, 1813, confirming the discoveries. He commented that the bush was exceedingly thick, with bad travelling on account of the sharp rocks; the ravines in this area being very deep. Read,
Two Journals of Early Exploration
Governor Macquarie appointed engineer, magistrate and pastoralist William Cox to construct a road over the Blue Mountains, which began 18th July, 1815. As can be imagined, the difficulties were considerable, with thick scrub and trees, sandstone cliffs and the rising elevation. But the
road was completed in only six months.
 |
| William Cox (1764-1837), military officer, roadmaker and builder, was born at Wimborne, Dorset, England |
Cox's gang consisted of 40 men, 20 of whom were the convict labourers who actually built the road.
The job finished at Bathurst on 14 January 1815, after a distance of 101.5 miles.
 |
| Chain gang : convicts going to work nr. Sydney N.S.W, 1842 |
During his inspection of the new road, Governor Macquarie travelled with a
party that included notable figures and artists. They camped at a site that Macquarie named Springwood on April 27, 1815.
Governor Lachlan Macquarie named Blackheath in 1815 after crossing the Blue Mountains and observing the area's black wild appearance. He recorded this in his journal, stating, 'This place having a black
wild appearance I have this day named it Black-Heath.'
 |
| Portrait of Lachlan Macquarie attributed to John Opie (1761–1807), Macquarie was a British Army officer and colonial administrator from Scotland. Macquarie served as the fifth Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821 |
Although the road was ready for traffic, applications to the governor and an 'intermediate post,' was established at what is now Blaxland Shopping Centre to prevent runaway convicts and others from going to the
land across the mountain.
The Parramatta and Black Town Native Institutions existed from 1814 till 1829, led initially by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, to extend enlightenment ideals to the Indigenous peoples of the Sydney colony. On Feast day, 28 December 1818, 'At eleven in the forenoon, HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR, accompanied by the LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, the Members of the Native Institution, and several other Gentlemen, entered the circle where these Children of Nature were seated. — Chairs were provided for the Chiefs of tribes....'
'.....the introduction of the children of the Native Institution into the circle, where they were shewn to their relatives and friends, and gave specimens of their progress in reading, writing, and drawing; this latter acquirement seemed to
delight the elder natives beyond anything yet presented to them; which was manifested by bursts of loud laughter, leaping upwards, and other wild gesticulations........' Many 'tribes' from beyond the Blue Mountains attended.
 |
| The number thus assembled very far exceeds that of any former occasion, being nearly 300 persons, among whom were some tribes who had travelled from beyond the Blue Mountains to be present at this festival, & who were distinguishable from the natives on this side, by their hair being decorated with a number of white feathers, and the teeth of wild animals, suspended in rude festoons over their foreheads; their bodies and faces were also painted with red and white ochre, which rendered their appearance singularly wild and outré. There was, however, a degree of confidence in their manner which indicated a consciousness of security in the protection of European friendship (originally, Sydney Gazette 2 January 181) 9Hobart Town Gazette and Southern Reporter (Tas. : 1816 - 1821), Saturday 23 January 1819 |
 |
| Journal and proceedings Vol. 9 Part. 4 (1923) |
1830s
 |
| Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), Tuesday 30 March 1830 |
In the early days, Blackheath was referred to as 41 Mile Tree. The first building in the area was ‘The Scotch Thistle Inn’, built in 1831 by Andrew Gardener.
 |
| Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), Tuesday 28 August 1832 |
In 1832, Andrew Murray bought land near Pulpit Hill to build an inn. The inn was licensed in 1833 as the ‘Poor Man’s Inn.’ Then changed to ‘Shepherd and His Flock Inn’ in 1835.
William Govett, assigned by Major Mitchell, Surveyor General of New South Wales, made notes and sketches during a surveying expedition of the Blue Mountains, 1830-1835
 |
| Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), Monday 18 July 1836 |
Charles Darwin visited Gardner’s 'Scotch Thistle Inn' in 1836. Darwin took a walk next morning of 3 miles to Govett’s Leap, named to honour surveyor William Govett. The word 'leap' is an Old English expression of a small waterfall.
1840s
Catholics in the Blackheath area were ministered to as early as 1842. (
2.)
In 1844, Captain John Bull together with 60 red coat marines from the 99th Regiment arrived in Blackheath to take control of the Military Stockade for convicts working on the maintenance of the Old Bathurst
Road (now Great Western Highway).
 |
| Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 9 June 1845 |
The original Blackheath Stockade cemetery was a 19th-century burial ground (circa 1840s) located near today's Railway Avenue, serving the convict stockade until 1849. There are at least 25 grave sites. The exact number is uncertain.
Pulpit Hill, near Blackheath, was a rest
area for drovers, stock and travellers following the construction of the road west.
Sir Charles Fitzroy
arrived at Sydney in the year 1844 (August) in the ship Carysfort, and continued in office until about the middle of January, 1855. His first extensive tour was undertaken in 1846-7. (
1.)
 |
| Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938) |
1850s
 |
| Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) |
1860s
A lock-up was built near Pulpit Hill in 1862 to hold chained gangs of convicts between Bathurst and Sydney.
In 1867, the Gatekeeper’s Cottage in Medlow Bath was built.
1n 1868, the Main Western Railway from Sydney was completed to Mount Victoria.
1880s
The 1880s saw significant
land sales and population growth, leading to the development of public buildings, including the school and various churches.
A roller skating rink was built at Blackheath in 1888, when the skating craze swept the country.
1890s
 |
| The Centennial Building, Blackheath, NSW, is a splendid mansion, situated about a mile from the railway station, and overlooking the beautiful Kanimbla Valley, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 3 December 1898 (later Osborne Ladies' College) |
1900s
 |
| THE BLACKHEATH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, OPENED AUGUST 10. Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Saturday 24 August 1901 |
 |
| Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932), Saturday 1 February 1902 |
 |
| Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 24 January 1906 (The Hotel Hydora, Blackheath. Now the Gardner's Inn Hotel) |
 |
| Leaving the Grand Canyon, Blackheath, NSW, Notes: The Grand Canyon walking track from Evans' Lookout was opened in 1907. Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| The road to the valley, from Blackheath, NSW. Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wednesday 12 February 1908 |
 |
| Railway Station, Blackheath, NSW, Blue Mountain Echo (NSW : 1909 - 1928), Saturday 25 December 1909, |
 |
| Grand Canyon, Blackheath, NSW, 1910. Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), Monday 1 May 1911 |
Sisters of Mercy purchased 'Duddington' in Blackheath in 1913.
 |
| RELIC OF CONVICT DAYS. Complete leg-iron and chain a few days ago found em bedded in gum tree, situated about 400 yards from the public school, Blackheath.The school ground nt Blackheath was the site o£ a stockade in the convict days.Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), Wednesday 17 June 1914 |
 |
"ON THE MOUNTAINS. BLACKHEATH. Bush fires have been burning all 'round the town during the last week, and on Thursday a fire was started by a passing train near the Glen. Luckily the undergrowth was not very thick, but as it was the flames spread to within a few feet of some houses at the top end of the Glen." Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), Saturday 21 February 1914, page 11, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies
The Victory Theatre was originally called Neate’s Hall when it was built in 1915. John George Neate, who was known as the 'father of Blackheath.' |
WWI
 |
| Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), Wednesday 17 November 1915, |
 |
| Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), Monday 25 October 1915 |
A quarry opened at Medlow Bath for sandstone and conglomerate gravel in 1918.
1920s
 |
| Blackheath Cricket Team, 1920. Notes. Back row: Billy Brown, Jim Dale, William 'Billy' Oates, Randall, Reg Laws. Seated: Henry Sheppard, F. Laws, Boorer (captain), Burrell. Front: Lance Wilson, Jack Wilson. 1920. Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Blue Mountain Echo (NSW : 1909 - 1928), Friday 12 October 1923 |
 |
| Father Christmas visits at Blackheath, NSW, 1924, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
Osborne Ladies' College was an Australian girls school located in Blackheath from 1923, until 1958. It was renowned for being run in the tradition of the Royal Navy.
 |
| MAYOR, ALDERMEN, AND CITIZENS OF BLACKHEATH AT LAKE MEDLOW. The group was photographed after the switching on of the electrical power at the pumping station. It is from Lake Medlow that Blackheath's water supply is drawn. The machinery was started hy the Mayoress (.Mrs. Board), who was presented by Alderman Porter, on behalf of the municipal council, with a silver rose bowl. Subsequently the water supply was turned on by Alderman Collier at the service reservoir in Bridge-street, Blackheath. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 6 October 1926, |
 |
| William Andrew Murphy (1846 -1927), the Hermit of Hat Hill Road, Blackheath, NSW, Notes: William Murphy's home with one of his brooms by the door. 1926, www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/library/ |
1930s
 |
| Mt Blackheath. Notes: Annie Wegner and her mother pose before a fine motor car. The dog appears in numerous photos in the album and usually has its own cushion, possibly a Sealyham terrier. 1930. Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
The Blackheath Pool was established in 1931.
 |
| Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Thursday 18 February 1932 |
 |
| Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), Thursday 30 August 1934 |
There are seven churches in Blackheath, namely: Church of England, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Church of Christ, Brethren and Roman Catholic. (
3.)
 |
| Katoomba Daily (NSW : 1920 - 1939), Saturday 29 December 1934 |
 |
| Katoomba Daily (NSW : 1920 - 1939), Saturday 29 December 1934 Nick Delaney was called the King of Blackheath |
 |
| Katoomba Daily (NSW : 1920 - 1939), Saturday 29 December 1934 |
 |
| Katoomba Daily (NSW : 1920 - 1939), Thursday 17 October 1935 |
 |
| Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), Saturday 13 November 1937 |
 |
| Katoomba Daily (NSW : 1920 - 1939), Thursday 9 June 1938 |
1940s and WWII
 |
| THE SIGNPOST indicating that their trek was almost half over, was a welcome sight to the members of the A.I.F. who yes terday reached Blackheath in the Blue Mountains.Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Monday 19 August 1940 |
 |
| Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Friday 27 February 1942, |
Blue Mountains Advertiser (Katoomba, NSW : 1940 - 1954), Friday 26 July 1946
1950s
 |
| Blue Mountains Advertiser (Katoomba, NSW : 1940 - 1954), Thursday 4 December 1952 |
 |
| Blackheath Rhododendron Festival, NSW, 1953,Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Blackheath Rhododendron Festival, NSW, 1953, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Swimming pool at Blackheath (NSW). Dated: No dateBlue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Blue Mountains Advertiser (Katoomba, NSW : 1940 - 1954), Thursday 19 August 1954 |
 |
| New Ivanhoe Hotel, Blackheath. Notes: Fiona and Elspeth Johnston pose in the fesh snow for their father, outside the New Ivanhoe Hotel, Blackheath. 1956. Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Blackheath Memorial Park, NSW, 1957, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Blackheath Public School, NSW, 1956, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Highway Blackheath NSW, 1957, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
1960s
 |
| Blackheath Pool. Notes: The swimming pool in the Blackheath Memorial Park was formed by the adaptation of the nineteenth century dam that was built to provide a supply of water for steam locomotives. 1961. Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Evans Lookout, Blackheath, NSW, 1968,Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
1980s
In September/October 1983 remains of the original Cox's convict road work were identified.
 |
| BlackheathNotes, 1983, : Tierney's Butchery, Old Piedmont Inn. Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Blackheath Shops. Notes: The Inside Leg Men's Wear, Hen House Hot Chicken, The Crafty Mountain Devil, 1983, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Blackheath, NSW, 1983, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Blackheath, NSW, 1983, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Blackheath Motor Inn, NSW, 1983, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Gardner's Inn Hotel, Blackheath, NSW, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
 |
| Norwood Motel, Steak House, Blackheath, NSW, 1983, Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies |
2000s
The Blackheath Philosophy Forum was founded in 2002, promoting public discussions on philosophical topics.
Around Blackheath
 |
| Anglican Parish of Blackheath is located in 2-8 Hat Hill Rd, Blackheath, NSW (The original rectory of Blackheath still stands on the corner of Hat Hill Road and Wentworth Street. It was built very early in the 1880s and services were held in the large front room. Due to the state of repair of the old Rectory, a decision was taken in 1975 to sell it and build a new brick rectory alongside) |
 |
| Neate’s Hall was opened in 1915. In 1921 it was renamed Arcadia Picture Palace and began screening movies. It was later renamed Arcadia Theatre. It was also known as Blackheath Talkies in the early-1930’s. In 1946 it was re-named Victory Theatre. By 1952, it was operated by Blue Mountain Theatres. in the 1960’s it has operated as an ice skating rink,a reception hall, a peg factory, a seatbelt factory and a junk yard. It has operated as a large antiques store, cafe and art gallery in recent years.(Cinema Treasures), Blackheath, NSW |
 |
Gardners Inn Hotel, Blackheath, NSW. Established 1831 and rebuilt 1938 ( Inter war
Mediterranean style) |
 |
| Blackheath’s New Ivanhoe Hotel was built in 1939 and 1940 on the corner of what is now the Great Western Highway and Govetts Leap Road. The original Ivanhoe Hotel had opened in 1889 further down Govetts Leap Road, halfway between what is now Prince Edward and William Streets. NSW |
 |
| Shop facades, Blackheath, NSW |
 |
| The original part of Glenella was built as a residence in 1905 by George Phillips, a carpenter, Blackheath, NSW |
 |
| Great Western Hwy, Blackheath, NSW |
 |
| Norwood Arthouse, is listed heritage, built in 1888 by the Neate family, Blackheath, NSW |
 |
| A marker of the home of William Andrew Murphy (1846-1927), the Hermit of Hat Hill Road, Blackheath. This solitary man who lived at the foot of Hat Hill overlooking the blue expanse of the Grose Valley, made brooms from a shrub which grows in that area. He made daily trips into Blackheath, which was a five mile trip return, to pick up his money and to buy his provisions. |
 |
| The old post office still survives, Blackheath, NSW |
Things To Do and Places To Go
