A TOUR IN AUSTRALIA

Chronicle (Levin), 10 May 1947, Page 2

A TOUR IN AUSTRALIA

A one month's trip coriducted by Mitchell's Interpational Tours. was recently undertaken by;Mrs. Hunter, of Otaki, accompamed by friends. The trip embraced all Sydney and suburbs, beaches, harbours, etc., as far as Newcastle steel works, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Hacking Rivers. Four eight-seater limousines were at the disposal ' of the party throughout the tour. The first day's sights were the Sydney beaches and various historical spots, while interesting ta-le of each place were related by the drivers. . Our next trip took us via Hunter's Hills, French's .Forest, Coal and Candle Creek and Church Point to Palm Beach, returning via Avalon, Narrabeen Lake, Manley. Mosman and Ctemorne, through 100 miles of beautiful scenery. A four days' tour followed, via the Great Western •Road, through Katoomba and Mt. Victoria to the Blue Mountains, 4200 feet above sea level, and here the air was very bracing, to Jenolan Caves. The night was spent at Cave Hotel. The Imperial Caves were inspected and proved n.ost interesting. Next morning an early start was made to visit the Orient Cave. These two caves are the largest of nine caves, and every turn brings one to something different. Stalectites, represetnting huge hanging blankets With coloured borders, immediately catch the eye, then statues of different personalities are seen and a forest of icicle laden trees, with their coloured lights. These are all installed out of signt, which gives them a mystifying appearance. Then you se^ the skeleton .of a man embedded in the limestone. Suggestions as to hcw and whp.n hp aot there are numerous.

but it still remains a mystery. In the Orient there are some 1600 steps to negotiate. The entrance to the Cave Hotel, called the Grand Arch, is wonderful. The Blue Lake is at the entrance, overshadowed with weeping willows, where ducks and swans enjoy freedom. As one enters the Grand Arch the wallabies jump from rock to rock. The arch is a natural one, lit with electric light. We passea through the historic Hartley Courthouse and saw the museum. There is a den where prisoners are kept, one room having a slit high up for .light. The ledges are worn by the , ,fee^ of .fhe c.onvicts, anxiqusi to " ge't'a lbok aUthe sky) while'1 'darv-' ed on the walls are many names, sketches, poetry, etc. It was here the men were tried and hung in the one day. There were no galiows, trees being the substitute. The harbour cruise was very pleasant and we passed the Pamir, and the turret from the H.M.A.S. Sydney, the ship - which •sunk the Emden. An all-day tour North Shore suburbs, Pacific highway to Hawkesbury , River, then followed, and also a launch trip to Bobin Head. Then a halt was made at a picturesque hotel, the proprietors being the Duckworth's, of Dunedin. After giving

a Maori farewell the party proceeded en route to Sydney for a ferry trip to the head of the rivers, exploring the historic Paramatta and Lane Cove rivers. A visit was made to the Newcastle steelworks, which proved very interesting, then they departed by a flyer to a point onward to Lake McQuarrie, 50 miles from Sydney. Half-way to Newcastle large orange groves were passed. There were acres of oranges. At Mereweather the steel works were visited. Here 8100 men work ' on every square mile, 4500 men in one shift. Work goes on day and night. There are 80 miles of railway. The men have their own water supply, pumped from the river. It was here the" Japs tried to blow up the works, but only one shell exploded and did no harm. Thirty-five thousand tons of coal are used each week. A large supply of coal is kept on hand in case of strikes, as 1 machinery valued at £1,500,000 J would be thrown idle. The party then returned by lcars and flyer to the Central sta- ! tion. Another all-day trip was in the vicinity of Botany Bay, ; Brighfcn. Aqua Flora Park, Sutherland Falls and National Park to Sublime Point. They returned to Sydney by coast road through Scarborough. The Royal Show i was visited by the party, but disj pppointment was expressed at the poor display made by New Zeai land. While in Sydney, Mrs. Hunter flew to Melbourne to see her son, who is touring with the Kiwi Concert Party. The company ' was performing to packed audiences. The members wished to be remembered to all their New Zealand friends. The return trip was made by 'plane at night. A storm was encountered and the 'plane had to rise to 10,000 feet. • The atmosphere was cpld at, tbi.^ height. Svdney from the air will never be • f orgotten. It was a wonderful sight, especially with its numerous Necn lights. New Zealand was reach.ed after experiencing one of the worst trips the Wahine had encountered.