Brian Fox is proud to announce his latest book, ‘Isaac Barrow, Blue Mountains Map Maker’. Significantly, this book tells the story of a draftsman who directly shaped the development of tourist maps in the Blue Mountains in the early 20th century. More than any other mapmaker, Isaac Barrow had a significant impact on making the Blue Mountains accessible to visitors. Isaac worked for the NSW Department of Lands in the ‘Compiling Branch’, a division within the Department unconstrained by legal parameters. This allowed Isaac to include information about beauty spots, walks, guest houses and business of direct relevance to train travellers, walkers, campers and all tourists to the area. Brian’s research is meticulous. So much has been discovered about this man and his family that the reader feels as though visiting a member of the family. The gallery of historic photographs and maps complements finely written text. The book is in A4 format, 72 pages in full colour. The RRP is $25.
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Brian Fox of Bushexplorers and Blue Mountains Geographical Encyclopedia fame is about to release a new text he has researched and written on the development of tourist maps in the Blue Mountains. The central character is one Isaac Barrow. Isaac’s passion and dedication led to the opening up of the Blue Mountains to thousands of Sydney siders for walking and exploring. Businesses of all kinds flourished as his maps were eagerly sought after.
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Here is an opportunity to showcase your photography skills, make a name for yourself, visit the Gardens of Stone NP and experience firsthand the wonders of this unique world class heritage area. You will also be helping to draw attention to unprotected areas under threat from coal mining. To become involved visit the Colong Foundation.
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Bush Explorers Online Book Shop is here. All the books written by Bush Explorers can be purchased online using PayPal. Remember - there is no charge for Postage for purchases shipping within Australia. If you are purchasing books for delivery outside Australia, please contact Michael and check the price for delivery.
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Twelve months ago, bush explorer Michael joined veteran film maker Anthony (Tony) Buckley for two days of filming key sections of the alignment of the former Wolgan Valley Railway (WVR). This historic footage has been integrated with live sound and image footage of Shay Locomotives in the USA, still pictures of the original Shay engines that once plied the WVR; key sidings, maintenance depots and other installations. Tony is a skilled craftsman and the resulting video production joins two other examples of his work in this genre, The Savannahlander, and The Gulflander both narrated by Bill Peach. Both these videos are available from Anthony Buckley Films, PO Box 6019, West Gosford 2250. The WVR is a key to much of the history of the Gardens of Stone National Park. In Book 7 of the 9 book series of the same name authors Brian Fox and Michael Keats include extensive original research on the railway; the mines that caused its construction; the Newnes Hotel that watered its thirsty workers; the telegraph Lines that connected this remote community to the outside world and more. This new film is now available from Bush Explorers.
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Michael and Brian are pleased to announce that Book 6 in 'The Gardens of Stone and beyond' series will be available from 4 March 2015.
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Read about the Gardens of Stone National Park in the February 2015 edition of the Bushwalk Australia eMag.  The article was written by the Bush Explorers. {module_literature,i,143236} Published in Bushwalk Australia's February 2015 eMag.
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Bushwalkers and authors, Michael Keats and Brian Fox are proud to announce the impending release of Book 6 of the series of 9 Books on The Gardens of Stone National Park and beyond. The book will be released in early March. Book 6 comprising 676 pages, A5 size, is a full colour, fully indexed work that includes exhaustive, richly illustrated information about the Flora and Fauna of the area based on the BioNet Atlas of NSW Wildlife. 34 walks take the reader/walker to places around Newnes Plateau that most only dream of. It documents a rich tapestry of experiences encapsulated in very personal text that takes you with these adventurous explorers all the way. The hundreds of colour photographs, many by invited professionals, round out a total experience. Orders can be placed with your friendly Bushwalking Book Retailer or by contacting Michael using the Contact Form or by phoning 02 9144 2096.
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Yuri Bolotin and Michael Keats have launched a new book series about the "Wollemi National Park". The first book is "The Complete Wollemi North-South Traverse". This book is an epic true adventure of modern exploration, grit and determination, as three explorers attempt to traverse the entire wild Wollemi from north to south. It is also an opportunity for you, the reader, to feel the agonies and the joys as they happened. You may grip your armchair with nervous excitement as you gaze down into an inky void, seeking a way of route between the cliffs; or relax as you feel the setting sun add another dimension to the smouldering campfire. And after you have read the book, you might be inspired to plan an adventure of your own, using the meticulous track notes, maps, grid references and photographs contained within.
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Michael Keats and Brian Fox are proud to announce the next book in The Gardens of Stone National Park and beyond series is now available. Significantly, this book (book 5) includes 22 walks in the spectacular Ben Bullen State Forest area, where yet another push is being made by rapacious coal mining companies to steal and destroy this iconic forest from the people of NSW.  This forest is rich in bio diversity with more than 700 plant species identified, unique fauna and some of the finest World Heritage platy pagodas, a unique landform found nowhere else. Significant Aboriginal heritage is also at risk of destruction. This book graphically and explicitly shows just how seriously irresponsible mining activity is challenging our NSW heritage and your recreation areas. We invite you to buy this book as it contains wonderful images which may be all that remains if vested coal interests override common sense and indeed our commonwealth. This book by Michael Keats and Brian Fox also digs deep into the history of over 760 local place names in the Gardens of Stone National Park and surrounding areas plus 24 individual maps showing the majority of names not recorded on the topographical maps. These place names and the accompanying maps are indispensable tools for planning your walks in the Gardens of Stone and beyond. The book is in A5 format, 680 pages in full colour. It is available for $50 from selected retailers in the Blue Mountains region or by visiting our website
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