CASSILIS, NSW - POPULATION: 110

CASSILIS SHOWGROUND

WED 1 - SAT 4.4.2015: Arrr, those intrepid Leylands ensure they consider the weather, holidays - all the vital details! YES, we forgot about Easter and the school holidays - which equates to inflated accommodation costs, caravans, motorhomes and tents in every direction and of course, the inevitable children! Nav was left with the task of again locating a town where we could enjoy Easter without the 'madding crowd'!

CASSILIS BOWLING CLUB

The small town of Cassilis, at the top end of the Hunter Valley, boasts a number of heritage-listed buildings, including the hotel, courthouse and churches. The famous botanical oddity, the Wollemi Pine, is native to this region. An Aboriginal police tracker named Jimmy Governor once lived behind the Cassilis police station before turning to bush-ranging. Thomas Kenneally's novel, The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, is based on the tumultuous life and times of Jimmy Governor who is said to have slain 10 people in a brief reign of terror. Sadly, the town is declining - in 2006 there was a population of 346, but now only 110.

NAV PLOTTING THE ROUTE - SHAYDEN'S
TENNIS COURT PLAYGROUND

CHURCH OF ST COLUMBA OF IONA
FOUNDED AT CASSILIS IN 1860 BY WILLIAM TYRRELL

Stayed at the Cassilis War Memorial Park which encompasses the Bowling Club and Showground - $30.00 for 4 nights (includes power and water). Had a meal at the Club and more than anything, enjoyed the quiet that is Cassilis - again, job well done by Nav!
A shout out and Happy Easter wishes to Rohini Sharma. Rohini kindly follows our blog - tried to visit the Hotmail site, but unfortunately the technically challenged Leylands had no success!





ROYAL HOTEL ESTABLISHED c1870

COURTHOUSE c1858 NOW THE LOCAL POST OFFICE  & GENERAL STORE