Bilpin

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 ‘How can this land, yield such gold?’

You wonder as we meander

Through the orchards of Bilpin –

Gazing at apples, cherries, persimmons

‘Basalt,’ You answer

The volcanic soil offers

What the leached soil of an ancient land cannot

To the gardens of Tomah, Wilson, Bilpin


But I stare at the endless trees of emerald

Beyond the Basalt caps, and realise

There is gold everywhere

Just that we cannot see it

A gang of white specked cockatoos fly far

At least, at they understand what we cannot...


10th May, 2025

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About 200 million years ago in what is the upper Blue Mountains, volcanic activity broke through, creating extensive igneous layers. Later, between 14–20 million years ago, massive lava flows spread across the mountains. Most of this lava eroded away, leaving only basalt “caps” on high areas such as Mount Tomah and Mount Wilson, making the soil richer and moisture retentive, capable of supporting the orchards of Bilpin or the expansive English gardens of Mt. Wilson and Tomah.



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