Kandos The Town That Built Sydney
Established in the early 1900s for the NSW Cement, Lime and Coal Co Ltd, Kandos produced cement until the plant’s closure in 2011. Taken from the initials of the founding company directors: Campbell, Angus, Noyes, McDonald, Oakden and Stephen. The first letter was later changed to a K rather than a C at the insistence of the Postmaster General. He thought it was too close to Chandos in South Australia.
Cement produced here was used all over New South Wales, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the Central to St James underground railway, leading to the town branding itself “The Town That Built Sydney”.
Located 234 km north-west of Sydney, for a three and a quarter hour trip, or a 64 km, one-hour trip south-east of Mudgee, Kandos is a great place to visit. Not only does the town offer interesting things to do, but nearby is Dunns Swamp in Wollemi National Park.
On entering town, an old railway wagon proudly displays a load of Kandos Cement, making you aware of the town’s heritage.
Some interesting sights include the old railway station and nearby hotel, along with some interesting sculptures nearby. We also found an old underground loading unit sitting on the side of a road near the museum, which was an interesting discovery.
Cement Wagon 
Old Rail Wagons 
Kandos Town Sign 
The Railway Station 
Train Sculpture at a the Railway Station 
Sculpture at the Railway Station 
St Laurence’s Anglican Church 
Railway Hotel 
Underground Loader
Kandos Museum
Specialising in Kandos and the surrounding towns, the museum has a wonderful collection of historical items. A large section is dedicated to the cement works and their impact on the town.
Outside displays provide access to several large displays of cement works equipment, including skips from the aerial ropeway that brought limestone from the quarry to the cement works.
The volunteer staff were exceptional, full of local knowledge and more than happy to answer our questions. They really made the visit even more enjoyable.
Kandos Cement Works
Walking inside the museum’s entrance, you are greeting by the immaculate 1930 Nash Ambulance. This vehicle is surrounded by cement works artefacts, detailing the workings of the factory that kept Kandos ticking for nearly 100 years.
Kandos Cement Works 1930 Nash Ambulance 
The Old Safety Sign 
Gauges From the Cement Factory 
The Many Used for an Old Cement Bag
Local History
The local history of Kandos and surrounding villages makes up a large display in a second room, detailing local life.
Local Towns and Villages Sign at the Museum 
Gas Powered Fridge 
Gramophone Collection 
Gas Light 
Old Telephones and Cinema Sign 
Main Museum Display Room 
Old Farm Tools
Outside Displays
Large pieces of equipment displayed outside the museum include part of the aerial ropeway, steam engines and crushers provide a glimpse of the limestone quarry’s operation.
Old Equipment at the Museum 
Mill From the Cement Factory 
Aerial Ropeway Skip
What Did We Think?
Kandos is a great town to visit, with a lot of history crammed into 100 years, as well as the wonderful Wollemi National Park to visit close by.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Our photos are available for purchase on
If you have time for a return visit, pop out to Dunn’s Swamp and do a Twilight Paddle with Southern Cross Kayaking.They are passionate about the region’s history too and we learned a tonne about the establishment of the weir for the Cement Works and the wooden (can you believe it??) pipe that carried the water the 25km from Dunn’s Swamp to Kandos. So much to see in this little patch of Paradise. Have a good day, Mel
Thanks Mel, we will certainly try to do the twilight paddle, sounds great
Nice!
Thankyou, it’s a great little town
Wow, love the farm tools and the gas light. Wonder if they can still be used. LOL. I’ve never know a gas powered fridge before.
This was the first one we had seen as well. The volunteer we asked said it still worked.