Blayney

Blayney is a farming town and administrative centre with a population of 3, 378 in 2016, in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia.

Blayney is a farming town and administrative centre with a population of 3,378 in 2016, in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. Situated on the Mid-Western Highway about 240 km (150 mi) west of Sydney, 35 km (22 mi) west of Bathurst and 863 m (944 yd) above sea-level, Blayney is the seat of Blayney Shire Council.

Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Aboriginal Wiradjuri and, or, Gundungara peoples.The first European to travel through area was surveyor George Evans, in 1815 and unofficial occupation of the district began in 1821.The first land grant in the general area known as Coombing Park was issued to Thomas Icely in 1829.

In 1836 the locality was known as King’s Plains, with Doyle’s inn being the only public-house.There was also a mill worked by a man called Lambert.In 1842 Governor Gipps proposed the creation of a village to be named 'Blayney'.His proposed site, however, was about 9 km north-east of the present site in the Kings Plains area, but once that spot proved unsuitable the Blayney village location was established on its present site in 1843.A train line used to run from Blayney to the Lime Kilns, transporting lime. This is situated on land adjoining the Blayney Cemetery and is heritage listed. Remnants of the lime kilns can still be seen today.

Due to its high elevation (with a median height of roughly 872 metres above sea level), Blayney shares a climate type that is similar to its northern neighbour (the town of Orange) and is typical to the Central Tablelands region i.e., a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb). Located far to the west of the Blue Mountains, Blayney has cooler and wetter winters relative to elevation; equalling Mount Boyce in July maxima, despite being over 200 metres lower. Snowfalls are common, occasionally falling heavily.