A whisper of cool mountain air brushes your face. Welcome to Mount Tomah Rest Area. This isn’t just any roadside stop. It’s a gateway to a fascinating piece of Blue Mountains history.
Mount Tomah itself is a small township. It boasts a unique character. It’s officially part of the Blue Mountains. However it has a Hawkesbury telephone area code. This little town is situated on the Bells Line of Road. It sits just west of Berambing.
Did you know that Mount Tomah has a surprisingly rich past? Long before cars and rest areas existed the Darug Aboriginal people called this land home. They knew this area as ‘Tomah’ a word believed to mean ‘tree fern’. The area’s name reflects the abundance of these ancient plants.
In 1804 George Caley a plant collector and explorer became the first European to reach this area. He named it Fern Tree Hill. Later the name evolved to Mount Tomah. While Blaxland Wentworth and Lawson famously crossed the Blue Mountains in 1813 Caley’s earlier journey offers a different perspective on early exploration. His route was quite different.
Today Mount Tomah is best known for its breathtaking botanic garden. Opened in 1987 this garden is unique. It’s the only botanic garden in the world situated within a World Heritage area. It houses over 5000 species of cool climate plants. It sprawls across 28 hectares. Since 1993 186 hectares of surrounding sandstone woodland and gullies have been added. They are now maintained as a conservation area. You can even see a Wollemi Pine. It’s the only one on public display. This garden sits atop a basalt capped peak. It’s 1000 meters above sea level.
So next time you stop at Mount Tomah Rest Area remember more than just a break. Remember a journey through time. Remember the Aboriginal heritage the early explorers and the incredible biodiversity protected here. It’s a tiny town with a grand story to tell.