Governor Macquarie’s wife loved Springwood. She and the Governor camped there in 1815. They found a lovely spring. It gave the town its name Springwood. This pretty wooded plain became a key spot. It was 12 miles from Emu Ford. The Governor documented their visit in his diary.
Springwood’s history goes much further back though. For thousands of years the Dharug people lived there. They used the area’s resources. The land provided plentiful food and water. Springwood was a regular resting place for them.
European exploration followed much later. Blaxland Lawson and Wentworth famously crossed the Blue Mountains in 1813. They even camped near Springwood. George Evans surveyed a road through the area. William Cox then built a road. This connected Emu Ford to Bathurst. Convicts did most of the hard work.
Springwood became a military outpost. This protected the new road to Bathurst. Soldiers provided safety and accommodation for travellers. The outpost existed until the 1840s. The first barracks stood between Short Street and Homedale Street. A plaque marks the spot today.
The arrival of the railway in 1867 changed Springwood. The first station was simple weatherboard. The current station is much older. It dates from 1884. It is the oldest station in the Blue Mountains. The railway brought more people. They came for day trips or longer holidays. Wealthy people built homes there. Industries like wood cutting and farming grew.
Today Springwood is a thriving town. It has a diverse range of shops. It boasts historic hotels cafes and a library. The Springwood Sports Club features a modern design. It includes indoor and outdoor dining areas. It’s perfect for events and celebrations. Buttenshaw Park offers a lovely picnic spot. It includes well maintained gardens and a playground. Springwood continues to blend its rich history with modern amenities. It’s a charming place. It offers stunning views and a wealth of activities. It’s well worth a visit.