Perthville (tourism webpage) is a small town located 12km south of Bathurst. It has a hotel, park (with toilets), service station and general store.

Blayney to Perthville    37.3km - 266m climb - 456m descent - sealed - map
This route follows the main western railway line, traversing mostly treeless moderately hilly terrain along quiet country roads. The village of Newbridge is about 15km from Blayney and has a pub, railway station (not in use), payphone and park. Between Newbridge and Perthville the route descend steadily, losing 280 vertical metre. Approximately 3.5km before Perthville lies the village of Georges Plains, boasting a railway station (no longer used) and a cemetery.

Perthville to Tarana    42.6km - 562m climb - 448m descent - 4km unsealed (avoidable) - map
This is an undulating cycle along (mostly) sealed rural roads with four climbs of the order of 100 vertical metres. Only the first four kilometres are unsealed; an alternative sealed route (north-east along Vale Road then south-east along Lagoon Road) is about 3km longer. About 10km from Perthville resides a small locality known as The Lagoon, named after a nearby waterbody. It has a public school and a payphone. Ben Chifley Dam (see also here) lies off the route some 5km south of The Lagoon. It has picnic and barbecue facilities but camping and swimming is currently not permitted. However, about 500m downstream from the dam wall I found a grassy area by Campbells River (photo) which was ideal for free improvised camping.

About 23km from Perthville, the route passes through the heritage listed village of O'Connell (tourism webpage, further information). A park by the Fish River is located about 1km north of the intersection of Beaconsfield and O'Connell Roads, while the Historic O'Connell Hotel (est. 1865) lies 1km to the south of this intersection. O'Connell also has a café.

Continuing toward Tarana, one passes Flat Rock Reserve (7km from O'Connell and 12km from Tarana), which is a popular picnic, fishing and free camping area by the Fish River (photo). When I camped there in 2002 it had picnic tables, toilets and bins. The river has permanent water which should be treated before consumption.

Those heading toward Oberon should turn right onto Lowes Mountain Road about 4km before Tarana.

Bathurst to Perthville    8.7km - 41m climb - 25m descent - sealed - map
This is a flat cycle connecting the towns of Bathurst and Perthville. Views of the Mount Panorama racing circuit can be seen from Vale Road.