Faulconbridge, New South Wales

Faulconbridge () is a village located in the Blue Mountains 77 km west of Sydney, New South Wales and is 450 metres above sea level. At the 2006 census, Faulconbridge had a population of 4,014 people.

History and Description

The area around Faulconbridge was first explored by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson in May 1813 while they were camped at Springwood and looking for the ridge which would take them over the mountains. It was settled in the 1870s after the railway line had opened up the whole of the mountains.

One of the earliest residents was the "Father of Federation", Sir Henry Parkes, who moved to the area in 1877 and purchased 600 acres (2.4 km²). It is said that the original railway platform at Faulconbridge was specifically built to serve his residence which was known as Faulconbridge House. The town was named after Parkes's home. Faulconbridge was the maiden name of Sir Henry Parkes' mother, while a small waterfall in the area—Clarinda Falls—was named after his first wife. Parkes is buried in Faulconbridge Cemetery, alongside the grave of his first wife. The railing surrounding his grave bears a plaque which describes his role in Australian history:

"Sir Henry Parkes, Father of Australian Federation, five times Prime Minister of New South Wales, arrived in Australia 25 July 1839, he worked as station-hand, Customs Officer and bone and ivory turner. In 1850 became proprietor of Empire Newspaper.......

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