Sunny Corner State Forest – Sunny Corner, surrounded by large tracts of pine forest, is a small village located 14 km south-west of Portland or 7 km off the Great Western Highway (turn off at Meadow Flat). Sunny Corner started out as a goldmining town around 1860. A post office opened here in 1862 followed by a police station and school. There were over a dozen crushing machines in town at the peak of the goldrush. The Winterton silver reef was discovered in 1881 and NSW’s first major silver-smelting operation commenced here in 1884. By the following year there were 768 men working the mines which, all-told, produced silver to the value of 891 000 pounds. The township was gazetted as Mitchell in 1885 but was renamed Sunny Corner in 1887, although the school was known as Mitchell School until 1899. The state’s first School of Mines and Industries opened here in 1886 but closed due to lack of public support. The last mine, employing 100 men, closed in 1896. Operations were briefly resumed from 1917 to 1922 due to high silver prices. Reafforestation began in 1946 stimulating the development of a local timber industry.

Wollemi National Park – Possibly the most important aspect of Wollemi National Park is that it protects, permanently, the largest remaining forested wilderness in NSW, including the Colo-Capertee river system, used extensively with the surrounding bushland for hardy recreation activities is now part of the recently declared Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area.

Newnes & Wolgan Valley – From Boulder Road, turn right into Mudgee Rd towards Wallerawang. At Lidsdale turn left and proceed past Angus Place Coal mine. Continue on into the beautiful Wolgan Valley where there are natural picnic areas. It is necessary to cross the river and walk along the well-defined path to see the foundations of the shale ruins.

Glow Worm Tunnel – 400 metres in length. Originally constructed for railway line to Newnes oil shale works, now taken over by glow worms. Just over 30 kilometres from Lithgow or Clarence through Newnes Plateau. Excellent bushwalks through Newnes and Wollemi National Park. Good walking shoes and a torch are required for the walk through the tunnel.

Glen Davis – From Boulder Road, turn left into Mudgee Road continue along the road until Capertee, turn right to proceed on into the Capertee Valley. Glen Davis has a picnic/camping area with amenities block and a privately run Museum with artefacts and information on the Shale Oil Ruins.