Blue Mountains (Lithgow) vs Central Coast (Gosford/Calga)?

Question

I have to make a decision ASAP.

I'll be doing 2 weeks of ecosystem conversation volunteer work in July in NSW. I have the choice between Lithgow and Calga. Lithgow is in the Blue Mountains, but it's supposed to be really cold with a high of 10C. Calga in the Central Coast is supposed to be warmer at about 17C.

Also at Lithgow, more food services will be provided (i dont like cooking) and the work projects are slightly more interesting; while the advantage of Calga is that it's warmer and closer to urban places (like Sydney).

Based on this which would you recommend (I'm a Canadian). I greatly appreciate your help!

Answer 1

lithgow is the last place I would go to it's a cold hole.

Answer 2

Roy ... you're a Canadian .. you will be able to handle the cold of Lithgow ... for all the other benefits ( ie the food services and more interesting work)....

I hate the cold ... BUT  I also hate boring work.

Answer 3

I think Lithgow sounds like the better choice because of a) the food; b) the more interesting work and c) the fact that you're a Canadian and are presumably used to cold weather - it's only for 2 weeks. You should however be aware that the temperature in Lithgow on Sunday soared to 6.4C at 3.00pm and it's only May, so 10C in July might be a bit inaccurate - who knows? It's warmer today though.

You might find this site interesting. Click on Lithgow or the nearest town (Gosford on the Sydney enlargement for Calga); click on Recent Months and select last July for daily temperatures.

http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/nsw-ob...

Answer 4

I have lived in both areas and I would recommend the Central Coast.  It is warmer, and you will have a lot more to do in you time off.  The central coast has beautiful beaches and lakes and is tourist orientated.  Great shopping and you can fish, ride quad bikes over the sand dunes, great restaurants, etc.  Lithgow is more of a "drive through" area that takes you to the country.  You will have seen it in 2 days! The coast is approx.45 minutes to Sydney and drive up north a bit and you are in the Hunter Valley (known for its wines).  Go to the Central Coast!

PLUS = July is winter here.  Lithgow will probably be snowed in.  The roads are often closed.