Yerranderie was a prosperous mining town – mainly silver – in the early 20th century, but always had problems due to its isolation, the difficulties of getting the ore out of the valley, and industrial disputes. The mines closed in the 1920s and the isolation became near-complete when the Burragorang Valley was flooded to provide Sydney's water supply. Yerranderie is only about 90 Km from Sydney as the crow flies (or as a light plane that can land on the airstrip flies) but the drive takes a long detour through Oberon and a good five hours.
The sign on the Colong Stock Route says "4WD preferred" and "No trailers" but although there are steep bits, creek crossings and lots of blind curves, a careful and patient driver of any car would have no problems with the road. And trailers? There is at least one large caravan in Yerranderie that got in somehow.


The first 22 pictures here were taken on an overnight visit with Frances and two friends from Ireland;
this was the most isolated place and by far the longest stretch of dirt road they had ever encountered.
The other pictures are from an earlier trip with my daughter Cate and her son Max. I had been here
before – in May 1993. Some pictures from that trip are in: https://pbase.com/lambsfeathers/ghosts