As thousands arrived for the Bathurst 6 Hour (3-5 April), the mountain was sharing one of its best-kept secrets.
Bathurst has always been a city of surprises. This Easter, as the roar of engines fills the air above Mount Panorama, another of the mountain’s longer-standing residents has been making a quiet ‘hopping’ appearance, and locals say it’s a good sign.
A rare white wallaroo has been photographed this week (again) near the Mount Panorama sign on Wahluu – the ancient mountain that has watched over the Bathurst region for thousands of years. Calm, unhurried and utterly unbothered by the Easter festivities, it stops you in your tracks.
A Little Local Folklore
Ask long-time Bathurst locals about the white wallaroo, and most will smile. The animal has become quietly woven into the folklore of Mount Panorama – one of those stories passed between residents that rarely makes the news far away. The legend is simple: if you are lucky enough to spot the white wallaroo on the mountain this Easter, a little good fortune follows you home. Not a bad thing to carry into the rest of the year.
Bathurst Beyond the Track
The same mountain that hosts world-class racing is also a place of ancient significance, sweeping Autumn views and wandering wildlife – it’s unlike any racetrack in the world. Bathurst in Autumn is one of NSW’s great seasonal experiences – cool, golden and unhurried, with a heritage city centre, a thriving food and wine scene and rolling countryside. This Easter, visitors might leave Bathurst with a great race, a memorable stay and, if local legend is to be believed, a little extra luck as well.
The white wallaroo, it turns out, has known this all along.
