Black Mountain, New South Wales

Town in New South Wales, Australia

30°18′45″S 151°39′37″E / 30.3125327°S 151.6601925°E / -30.3125327; 151.6601925Population310 (2016 census)^[1]Postcode(s)2365Elevation1,312 m (4,304 ft)Time zoneAEST (UTC+10) • Summer (DST)AEDT (UTC+11)Location

539 km (335 mi) N of Sydney
29 km (18 mi) N of Armidale
11 km (7 mi) S of Guyra

LGA(s)Armidale Regional CouncilRegionNorthern TablelandsCounty SandonParishTilbusterState electorate(s)Northern Tablelands Federal division(s)New England

Mean max temp	Mean min temp	Annual rainfall
17.6 °C 64 °F	6.5 °C 44 °F	907.4 mm 35.7 in

Black Mountain is a village situated between Armidale and Guyra, located on the Northern Tablelands in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. Situated within Armidale Regional Council, as at the 2016 census, Black Mountain had a population of 310.^[1]

History

Black Mountain takes its name from a volcanic peak and is derived from its heritage-listed railway station. The station, originally entitled Boorolong, opened in 1884 and operated 103 years of service until cessation in 1987.

During the 19th century, Black Mountain became the hangout of Captain Thunderbolt, a bushranger who lived in a cave used as a lair for assistant robberies.

Today Black Mountain is a small classical-style village and thrives on its importance of traditional agriculture.

Features and location

Located on a volcanic uplift of the Northern Tablelands, the town is one of the highest in Australia at about 1,312 metres (4,304 ft) above sea level. The New England Highway is the main transport link to Armidale. The Northern Railway tracks still pass through the village, but this section of the line, north of Armidale, is now disused.

Black Mountain village exists in two sections. Located on the New England Highway is the Black Mountain Roadhouse and motel at the top of notorious Devil's Pinch, which is subject to snow falls that close the road. This marks the turn off into Black Mountain proper, a drive of 3 kilometres (1.9 mi).

The Black Mountain area was a well known haunt of Captain Thunderbolt. One of his hideout caves is located 200 metres (660 ft) to the south of the roadhouse.

Sheep and beef cattle breeding is the main industry of the area.

Black Mountain Baptist Church was built there in 1902 and restored in 1992. Black Mountain has a public school and nursery which is the home of the award-winning three point linkage Youman Tree Planter machine and services. Booroolong Railway Station Post Office opened on 8 December 1884, was renamed Black Mountain around 1886 and closed in 1985.^[2]

Heritage listings

Black Mountain has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Main Northern railway: Black Mountain railway station^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Black Mountain (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
^ Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
^ "Black Mountain Railway Station". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01087. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.