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Category: National Park

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Hill End Historical Gold Mining Town

Great Western Store

Hill End

A gold rush in the 1870s turned Hill End from a small rural village into one of the largest inland towns in New South Wales. When the boom finished, the town reverted back to a small village, however unlike other boom / bust towns many of the historic buildings remain. Now heritage listed, the town offers an insight into life in the 1870s, because of its preserved buildings and artefacts.

Located 75km south of Mudgee or 270km north-west of Sydney, Hill End is a great place to relax and enjoy some history. We enjoyed it here because of the many different things to can see and do. Not only are there buildings from the gold rush, but several interesting walks and museums.

Hill End Heritage Centre

Located in a 1950s Rural Fire Service shed next to the General Store, the Heritage Centre offers a self-guided tour of displays that detail the history of the town. The centre contains some excellent photos of life during the gold rush, as well as a model showing the town at its largest. Artefacts and a fire engine make this a great first stop to learn about Hill End.

  • Hill End The Old Rural Fire Service Shed Now the Heritage Centre
    The Old Rural Fire Service Shed Now the Heritage Centre
  • Hill End 1942 Ford Blitz Fire Truck
    1942 Ford Blitz Fire Truck
  • Model of the Hill End Town
    Model of the Hill End Town
  • Hill End Gold Smelting Pots
    Gold Smelting Pots
  • Water Bottle
    Water Bottle
  • Hill End Old Photo of a Miner's Cottage
    Old Photo of a Miner’s Cottage
  • Hill End Shops on the Main Street as They Used To Be
    Shops on the Main Street as They Used To Be

Hill End Historic Buildings

The heritage listed town contains many buildings dating from the 1870s gold rush period. Unlike other towns from this period, where old buildings were removed, many of Hill End’s buildings remain intact, giving a view back in time.

We walked through town on the afternoon we arrived and again the next morning, before other people were around. This let us enjoy the area both with and without other people around.

While wandering around, we found an old rusty car a petrol pumps, adding to the old feel of the town.

  • The Road Into Hill End
    The Road Into Hill End
  • St Paul's Presbyterian Church Hill End
    St Paul’s Presbyterian Church
  • Hosies Store
    Hosies Store
  • Old Building at Hill End
    Old Building at Hill End
  • Beyers Cottage Hill End
    Beyers Cottage Hill End
  • Robert Northey's General Grocer and Produce Store Hill End
    Robert Northey’s General Grocer and Produce Store Hill End
  • Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hill End
    Sacred Heart Catholic Church
  • Great Western Store
    Great Western Store
  • Old Petrol Pumps Hill End
    Old Petrol Pumps
  • Rusty Car Wreck Hill End
    Rusty Car Wreck
  • Hill End War Memorial Machine Gun
    Hill End War Memorial Machine Gun

History Hill Museum

Only a ten-minute drive from town, the History Hill Museum contains a huge collection of artefacts from the 1870s gold rush, which include a stamper battery crusher and a replica gold mine.

The collection includes everyday items used by people providing a great insight into ordinary life in the late nineteenth century. There is also what must be one of the largest collections of weighing scales anywhere. Scales formed an important part of the gold mining industry, ensuring that correct payment was made for gold mined.

The Chinese contribution to the area is highlighted, illustrating the diversity of people attracted to the area to mine gold.

Collections of fire arms, locks, porcelain and bottles add to the huge numbers of displays, that go well beyond the normal rocks and mining equipment that mining museums usually have.

Another great attraction at History Hill is the replica gold mine, which you walk through at your own pace. Being able to walk through a mine, even if a replica gives you a great idea of what mining was like here. The exit is fun, with seven lots of ladders to climb to the surface. Of course, if you don’t want to climb the ladders, you can return to the entrance instead. We really liked this!

  • Not the Entry
    Not the Entry
  • Pad Locks
    Pad Locks
  • Hand Guns
    Hand Guns
  • Collection of Scales
    Collection of Scales
  • Tools in the Blacksmiths Shop
    Tools in the Blacksmiths Shop
  • Gold Weighing Scales
    Gold Weighing Scales
  • Shackles
    Shackles
  • Poison Bottle Collection
    Poison Bottle Collection
  • Bottle Collection
    Bottle Collection
  • China Collection
    China Collection
  • Stamping Crusher
    Stamping Crusher
  • Entry to the Son of Hope Mine
    Entry to the Son of Hope Mine
  • Ladders Leading Out of the Mine
    Ladders Leading Out of the Mine
  • Tunnel Inside the Mine
    Tunnel Inside the Mine
  • Tunnel Inside the Mine
    Tunnel Inside the Mine

Golden Gully Walking Track

The eroded banks of Golden Gully are unstable, so take care when walking, rock falls and wall collapses are common. Worked and re-worked by miners workings have become exposed due to erosion, making the landscape seem unreal. Staying to the centre of the gully, away from the walls, we were able to admire the landscape in safety.

Erosions has formed several interesting arches that reach across the gully, as well as several small tunnels running into the banks. These areas are very unstable, so use caution when looking at them.

  • Golden Gully Walking Track Hill End
    Golden Gully Walking Track Hill End
  • The Arch on the Golden Gully Walking Track
    The Arch on the Golden Gully Walking Track
  • Under the Arch on the Golden Gully Walking Track
    Under the Arch on the Golden Gully Walking Track
  • The Arch on the Return Trip
    The Arch on the Return Trip
  • Small Tunnel
    Small Tunnel
  • Small Tunnel on the Golden Gully Walking Track Hill End
    Small Tunnel on the Golden Gully Walking Track Hill End

Valentine Mine

Located a short drive from town, Valentines Mine, the headframe shows where the shaft drops 53 metres into the hill. Next to the shaft is an old stamper battery used to crush the ore removed from the mine.

Access along a dirt track was incredibly rough, although we only had a two-wheel drive vehicle. Recent rain had damaged the track and had it been any worse, we would not have driven it. However, once graded and repaired, the road will be good to drive on. Alternately, you can park your car and walk up to the mine shaft area.

  • Valentines Mine Shaft
    Valentines Mine Shaft
  • Valentines Mine Stamping Battery
    Stamping Battery at Valentines Mine
  • Valentines Mine Stamping Battery Head
    Valentines Mine Stamping Battery Head

Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits

A short drive past the Valentines Mine turn-off, a small car park marks the entrance to the roasting pits. Here, quartz roasting pits were established in 1855 and have become a significant insight into our nation’s beginnings and how the gold rush transformed the country.

The roasting pits are an interesting snapshot into quartz mining processes, where the ore was processed before crushing.

  • Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits
    Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits
  • Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits
    Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits
  • Ruined Building Near the Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits
    Ruined Building Near the Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits
  • Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits
    Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits
  • Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits
    Cornish Quartz Roasting Pits

What did We Think?

Hill End was a great place to visit, not only for the historic buildings, but also for several great walks and interesting museums. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here, and would do it again.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Whale Sculpture

Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Kamay Visitor Centre

Before setting out on the Burrawang Walk, drop into the Visitor Centre. Not only are the toilets located here, but it is full of useful information for your visit. The staff were very friendly and helpful, which made the day start on a positive note.

Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Weaving through the history of the area, the Burrawang Walk takes you through the eyes of the original inhabitants of the area, through to Cook’s landing in 1770 and to its ongoing impact. Starting at the Visitor Centre it was originally called the Monuments Track, because of the monuments in the area. This is an easy track, because it’s only 1.2 km long, and mostly on grass or concrete pathways.

Interpretive Signs

Interpretive signs provide an insight into Aboriginal life in the area and the impact white settlement had on them. This is great because until recently, only European heritage was commemorated here.

  • Interpretive Area Burrawand Walk
    Some of the Interpretive Signs
  • Interpretive Sign Burrawand Walk
    Interpretive Sign

Meeting Place

The Meeting Place Kamay Botany Bay National Park Burrawand Walk
The Meeting Place

Cook’s Landing Place

A large obelisk and plaque commemorating Cook’s landing place dominate one section of the shore. In 1770, Lieutenant (later Captain) Cook landed here and claimed the continent in the name of the British Crown.

  • Captain Cook's Landing
    Captain Cook’s Landing
  • Plaque at Cook's Landing
    Plaque at Cook’s Landing

Banks’ Memorial

Banks inclusion in Cook’s expedition as a scientist led to many discoveries of plants and animals unknown to Europeans. A large memorial to him sits near Cook’s memorial, which recognises his contribution to science.

Banks Memorial Burrawand Walk
Banks Memorial

Solander Memorial

An interesting memorial and the first one we saw is to Daniel Solander, a Swedish scientist who accompanied Banks on the Cook expedition. He was the first Swede and university trained scientist to set foot in Australia.

Solander’s documentation of unknown plants led to the area being named Botany Bay, although now it has a dual name, Kamay Bay in recognition of its Aboriginal heritage.

Overshadowed by Banks while also dying at the young age of 49, he did not develop the reputation he deserved.

Solander Memorial Kamay Botany Bay National Park Burrawand Walk
Solander Memorial

Bronze Sculptures

Sitting in, or on the water’s edge are three sets of bronze sculptures. These commemorate the 250th anniversary of the meeting of Aboriginal Australians and the crew of HMB Endeavour.

  • Whale Sculpture
    Whale Sculpture
  • Whale Sculpture
    Whale Sculpture
  • Whale Bone Sculpture
    Eyes of the Land and Sea
  • Whale Bone Sculpture
    Whale Bone Sculpture
  • Bronze Canoe Sculpture
    Bronze Canoe Sculpture

First European’s Grave

Located on the waterfront, is a plaque marking the grave of Forby Sutherland, the first British subject buried in Australia. Forby died of tuberculosis.

Forby Sutherland Burial
Forby Sutherland Burial

What Did We Think of Burrawang Walk?

This was a nice, easy walk with lots to see. The numerous information boards were educational, which made it even more interesting. This is a must visit if you are in Sydney, because of the number of memorials and European heritage.

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Cape Banks Botany Bay National Park

Rock Platform and the Wreck of the SS Minmi

Cape Banks

Getting There

We drove to Cape Banks and parked near the pistol club and helicopter base. This large car park has plenty of space, so parking shouldn’t be a problem.

Cape Banks Walking Track

The Cape Banks Walking track runs past the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Base towards the coast. On the way you pass an old fortress before reaching the ocean. At this point you turn right, if you turn left, you will arrive back at the car park.

The track continues along the coast to the New South Wales Golf Club, where a small bridge leads out to the cape. From here you are able to explore the rock platform and the higher ground of the cape.

  • Bridge to reach the rock platform
    Bridge to reach the rock platform

Cape Banks Fortifications

Used to protect the approaches to Botany Bay, Fort Banks is an old World War II bunker and fortification complex. During World War Two, it was armed with two 9.2 inch guns, but these are long gone. Sand dunes and vegetation are overtaking the fortifications. Graffiti also covers most of the site, which detracts from the importance of the site.

Despite this, it is still an interesting spot to walk around, with some of the building accessible through rusty doors.

Several old tombstones are stored here, removed from the nearby Hospital Cemetery.

  • Fort Banks
    Fort Banks
  • Fort Banks
    Fort Banks
  • Roof of Fort Banks
    Roof of Fort Banks
  • Fort Banks
    Fort Banks
  • Rusty Steel Doors at Fort Banks
    Rusty Steel Doors at Fort Banks
  • Old Headstones at Fort Banks
    Old Headstones at Fort Banks

Rock Platform

Exposed at low tide, the rock platform provides great views over the ocean. Be careful because you need to climb over rocks to get there. Check the tides before going, to make sure the tide will be low. Rock pools and slippery surfaces on the platform mean you need to walk carefully to avoid slipping.

The small cliff face displays some great erosion patterns from wind and waves. The colours of the rocks are also interesting.

To visit the shipwreck at the end of the cape, make your way to the rocks, where the SS Minmi can be seen up close.

  • Rock Platform and the Wreck of the SS Minmi
    Rock Platform and the Wreck of the SS Minmi
  • Waves Breaking Over the Rock Platform
    Waves Breaking Over the Rock Platform
  • Eroded Cliff on Cape Banks
    Eroded Cliff on Cape Banks
  • Undercut Cliff on Cape Banks
    Undercut Cliff
  • Eroded Cliff on Cape Banks
    Eroded Cliff on Cape Banks
  • Looking Along Cape Banks From the SS Minmi
    Looking Along the Cape From the SS Minmi
  • Overhanging Eroded Rock on the Cliff Face
    Overhanging Eroded Rock on the Cliff Face

Wreck of the SS Minmi

Located at the far end of the rock platform, the remains of the wreck of the SS Minmi are easily accessible at low tide. Salvage work in the 1930s removed the forward part of the ship, so only the rear portion now remaining.

The SS Minmi was a 75m long, 1,455 ton collier built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1927. It was named after either the lower Hunter Valley town of Minmi, or the nearby Minmi Colliery.

The Minmi’s captain for all of her ten-year service was Captain McPhall, who had brought the ship to Australia. Captain McPhall commenced two weeks’ leave in the first week of May, leaving Chief Officer Callum to take over as Captain. On 8 May 1937 at 10 pm while returning to Newcastle after delivering coal to Melbourne, the ship struck the outside of Cape Banks. Frederick Boulton, the ship’s cook, collapsed and died of a heart attack soon after the ship struck the rocks.

The Minmi split in two at about 12:45 am, with crew members stranded on both the front and back sections. Those at the front were rescued without incident, but it was more perilous for those in the rear. During the rescue, one life was lost because of the heavy seas.

  • SS Minmi on the Rock Platform
    SS Minmi on the Rock Platform
  • SS Minmi on the Rocks
    Wreck of the SS Minmi on the Rocks
  • SS Minmi Wreckage Strewn Over the Rocks
    SS Minmi Wreckage Strewn Over the Rocks

What Did We Think?

This was a great little walk, because we saw an old fort, a shipwreck, and enjoyed some nice views. The walk is short, but does require some climbing over rocks and a visit at low tide is a must.