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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Motels in Clarence

Hotel Deluxe Large Family Room | Premium bedding, bed sheets

"Ideal for one or two night stays, small room but looks modern, dining at the hotel, no alternatives close, but worth it, great friendly ambiance (buen ambiente) , reasonable dinner prices."

SAR 340 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Oct - 17 Oct

"Staff very friendly & the room was spacious & clean."

SAR 328 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Oct - 16 Oct

"Good"

SAR 354 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Oct - 24 Oct

"Beautiful place and the rooms were really good. "

SAR 475 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Oct - 17 Oct

2 bedrooms, individually decorated, individually furnished, desk

"A great location to base yourself to explore the park. A great set up for families "

SAR 305 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Oct - 21 Oct

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

SAR 437 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

"Older property but comfortable "

SAR 328 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Oct - 16 Oct

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

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

SAR 364 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Oct - 31 Oct

"We enjoyed our stay"

SAR 350 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

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

SAR 364 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Oct - 28 Oct

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

SAR 325 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Oct - 28 Oct

"Nice and spacious room, great parking and Friendly staff"

SAR 481 total

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

"Good spot Friendly operators "

SAR 471 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

"We enjoyed our stay"

SAR 510 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Oct - 16 Oct

"Good location, good bed and clean."

SAR 316 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Oct - 17 Oct

"Very friendly and accommodating Staff. "

SAR 413 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Oct - 16 Oct

Deluxe Double or Twin Room | 1 bedroom, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

"Great place and value! "

SAR 435 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Oct - 17 Oct

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Top Clarence Hotel Reviews

Motel Echo Point

10/10 Excellent

"The Location was excellent friendly staff member. Nice clean and fresh room Good job"

Sky Rider Motor Inn

10/10 Excellent

"Stayed at this motor inn and couldn’t be happier! The room was clean, comfortable, and surprisingly quiet, making for a very relaxing stay. The staff were absolutely lovely—friendly, helpful, and welcoming from start to finish. The location was perfect too, close to everything we needed. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a peaceful and convenient place to stay"

Hotel Blue & Cottages, Katoomba

10/10 Excellent

"The place is lovely and the staff do polite. It is an older building so there are some quirks but we had a wonderful stay. The water was hot, bed comfy and everything to our needs. Breakfast was basic but good. The staff really made it, they clearly love the place and their customers."

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 801 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. Alpine Motor Inn: Central Clarence is 17.3 mi (27.8 km) away. Free WiFi and free parking are available during your stay, along with room amenities like climate control. Blue Mountains Heritage Motel: 17.9 mi (28.8 km) from the heart of Clarence. Enjoy the in-room free stocked minibar, 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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Motels in Clarence

Hampton Halfway Hotel Motel

Sky Rider Motor Inn

Alpine Motor Inn

Black Gold Motel

The 3 Explorers Motel

Bowen Inn Motel

Lithgow Valley Motel

Katoomba Town Centre Motel

3 Sisters Motel

Blue Mountains Heritage Motel

Blackheath Motor Inn

Lithgow Workies Club Motel

Bushmans Motor Inn

Zig Zag Motel

High Mountains Motor Inn

Motel Echo Point

Lithgow Motor Inn

Top Clarence Hotel Reviews

Motel Echo Point

Leura Gardens Resort

Mountain Heritage Hotel

Sky Rider Motor Inn

Hotel Blue & Cottages, Katoomba

Lilianfels Resort & Spa - Blue Mountains

Alpine Motor Inn

Zig Zag Motel

The Hydro Majestic Hotel

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