The Upper Lachlan
The Upper Lachlan is part of the Lachlan fold belt stretching from Tasmania to Queensland. The Upper Lachlan is a predominantly volcanic area with rich red basalt soils (high in iron) and relatively unexplored mineral deposits. Diamonds, gold, silver and iron have all been mined from the area with fossickers regularly looking for gemstones, predominately sapphires.
Upper Lachlan Mineral resources map
Situated around 1000m above sea level it is a sub alpine environment with good rainfall and a climate very similar to Europe being warm summers up to the mid 30s and cold winters down to -10d c with occasional snow falls.
Weather statistics for Crookwell
The cold helps raise the sugar content in ... The snow adds nitrogen to the soil. The Upper Lachlan currently produces about 60% of Australia's seed potato's. At other times it has been a big wheat, barley and oats growing area which have now moved further west. Olive and grapes (cold climate pinot) are also grown here.
With some of the cleanest air in the State which is low in humidity the Upper Lachlan was once a flower growers area with lavender farms still producing in the area.
Once the center for sheep production in Australia, the Upper Lachlan now also has significant herds of beef (Angus, wagyu) as well as alpacas. Once there were many dairies but with industrialization many could no longer compete.