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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"Friendly staff, excellent location."

SAR 329 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Sep - 22 Sep

"Close to shops"

SAR 222 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Sep - 5 Sep

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

SAR 285 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sep

2 bedrooms, individually decorated, individually furnished, desk

"Very well organized and easy check-in instructions as well as an easy access to parking. Hotel/Motel is walking distance to most tourists' attractions and restaurants is a plus."

SAR 303 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sep - 9 Sep

"Stayed with a young family, very comfortable spacious rooms. Staff was very helpful in arranging some cutlery to feed the little one. Great play area in the property that kept the kids engaged. Would recommend to anyone looking to spend time in Lithgow or surrounds. "

SAR 456 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Aug - 31 Aug

"We enjoyed our stay"

SAR 476 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Aug - 31 Aug

"Spacious rooms. The kids had a great time "

SAR 334 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Sep - 12 Sep

Queen Spa Suite | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board

"Property is safe, quiet, accessible to eating places, supermarket and transport and tourists spots."

SAR 264 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Sep - 29 Sep

Hotel Deluxe Large Family Room | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, bed sheets

"Love this place"

SAR 342 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Sep - 2 Sep

"great location, right in town."

SAR 307 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Sep - 15 Sep

"Excellent restaurant & clean rooms."

SAR 764 total

includes taxes & fees

10 Sep - 11 Sep

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

SAR 329 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Aug - 30 Aug

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

SAR 420 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sep

"Good location, good bed and clean."

SAR 317 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Sep - 3 Sep

"We enjoyed our stay"

SAR 328 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Sep - 18 Sep

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

SAR 326 total

includes taxes & fees

10 Sep - 11 Sep

"We stayed for 1 night and it was nice and warm even it was freezing outside. Very clean"

SAR 473 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Aug - 31 Aug

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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. Echo Point Discovery Motel is located 18.7 mi (30.1 km) from the heart of Clarence. Enjoy access to the laundry facilities, and freebies including WiFi and parking. Commercial Hotel Motel Lithgow: Free parking, a bar, and a restaurant are available during your stay. Central Clarence is 3.7 mi (6 km) away. Sky Rider Motor Inn: Enjoy access to the seasonal outdoor pool, and freebies including WiFi and parking. Located 17.1 mi (27.5 km) from the heart of Clarence. Zig Zag Motel: Central Clarence is 2.6 mi (4.1 km) away. Free WiFi and free parking are available during your stay, along with room amenities like pillowtop beds. 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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Motel Echo Point

Commercial Hotel Motel Lithgow

Sky Rider Motor Inn

The 3 Explorers Motel

Lithgow Workies Club Motel

Zig Zag Motel

Alpine Motor Inn

Katoomba Town Centre Motel

Hampton Halfway Hotel Motel

Blue Mountains Heritage Motel

Black Gold Motel

Lithgow Valley Motel

Bowen Inn Motel

High Mountains Motor Inn

3 Sisters Motel

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Blue Mountains Highway Motel

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