Rydal is a small town with of 80 people, about 40 houses and a couple of churches. One of them is a Union Church which brought together the Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist congregations. Rydal's heyday, long gone, was in the early days of the railway. From 1870 for six years it was the end of the line so was a busy spot where goods were transferred from road transport to the railway. Today the daily XPT service still passes through Rydal and will stop here if needed for passenger to alight and set down. This little village has a great community spirit. It has been a five times tidy town award winner. The annual daffodil festival in September is a highlight of its social calendar. At that time of year it is not just the daffodils splashing the countryside yellow -- the wattles are also in full bloom.