Australia So Much to See

A cloud covered peak in the distance from Amaroo Road (above left). Getting closer to the mountain which is still wearing a cap of cloud (above right). At the turnoff to Mount Canobolas the was a sign with a caution “snow and ice” on the road. We thought it was probably always there and continued on the good unsealed road.

On reaching the busy carpark at the base of the mountain, people were saying everyone had come to see the snow. Snow? Really? Coming from Western Australia snow is something we are unfamiliar with, and certainly did not expect to see that day.

At an altitude of 565 metres above sea level at Molong compared to Orange at 863 metres above sea level, it is not uncommon for Orange to turn white, hence it is known as the colour city. We checked the weather forecast the afternoon we arrived, and it showed Orange as “currently 4.1°, feels like 1.7°, possible snow later in the afternoon”.

We rose the next morning to find it very cold and icy outside, ice persisted in the sunshine for hours. Mid morning we set off the see Mount Canobolas, which was still shrouded in cloud. Being a sunny day, I expected the mist would lift by the time we got there.

Mount Canobolas

The forested slopes of Mount Canobolas are fire prone, and in February 2018 just six months after we saw the mountain turn white, fire turned much of it black. 1,500 hectares, being 70% if the forest, was burnt, but the infrastructure at the peak was saved, with the fire coming very close. This was not the biggest fire, that being in 1985, when 6,000 hectares were burnt.

Following the road up the mountain, we found it was a good sealed road, with barriers on the edge, in contrast to the road to the top of Mount Kaputar. Soon we were met with this sight of snow drifts and ice on the foliage of trees. What an exciting surprise.

On reaching the top, it started snowing gently. My husband touched the compacted snow; not enough to make a snowman, but a first time for him experiencing snow (below left).

Telecommunications, radio and television towers close by were partially obscured by the light snow (above right).

There are also towers used for aircraft navigation.

A mother is showing her young child what snow is.

Mount Canobolas is an extinct volcano, and rises 1,390 metres above sea level. The name Canobolas is derived from the Wiradyuri words 'Gaahna Bulla' for the area meaning 'two shoulders' - in reference to the two main peaks; Old Man Canobolas and Young Man Canobolas.

Mount Canobolas is known for some unique flora and fauna. One being the carnivorous yellow fluorescent planarian worm, a brightly-coloured local resident who has only recently reappeared since the fire. Two orchids that only occur on Mount Canobolas were discovered in 1988, but were only recently officially named.

Further down the mountain, the trees still held onto their ice, while the ground vegetation was turning back to green.

The expanse of farmlands and forests came into view.

Resources

Signage on site
Orange NSW – Mount Canobolas

Save Mount Canobolas – A natural laboratory

Central West Daily – Two rare species of Orchids

Heading back down amongst trees Christmas card white. With the sun trying to break through, the ice had mostly gone from the road at this level. The road was still almost coated in ice further up the mountain.

Looking across the a shed where the towers are (above left). A shrub covered in icicles (above right).

We continuing exploring the Orange region on the next pages