Village campground
Hill End Historic Site
Overview
Village campground offers exceptionally convenient camping with good facilities close to all the heritage attractions of Hill End. It’s perfect for caravan camping.
| Number of campsites | 38 |
|---|---|
| Camping type | Tent, Camper trailer site, Caravan site, Camping beside my vehicle |
| Where | 9 Warrys Road, Hill End, NSW, 2850 - in Hill End Historic Site |
| Facilities | Amenities block, picnic tables, barbecue facilities, drinking water, showers, toilets, electric power |
| What to bring | Firewood |
| Group bookings | Bookings for up to 5 sites and 20 people can be made online. School groups and commercial tour operators can submit a group booking enquiry form. |
| Please note |
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Village campground has powered and unpowered campsites and is a great base for a family weekend spent discovering the living history of Hill End.
A bonus of camping less than a kilometre from the centre of Hill End is that if you’ve forgotten any creature comforts – or something more vital – you can walk to the general store where you’re sure to find what you need.
Or if you fancy a change from a picnic or barbecue why not stroll into town and grab a bite at the Royal Hotel?
Been on the road for a while? You can even wash and dry your clothes at the new laundry here. Camping has never been so easy.
Map legend
Map
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/village-campground/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Hill End Historic Site in the Country NSW region
Hill End Historic Site is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Village campground.
Getting there and parking
Village campground is on the western edge of Hill End on Warrys Road just off Clarke Street. It's about 500m from the village.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available in the campground at your campsite.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Hill End Historic Site. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
With sunny, dry days and crisp evenings, it's a great time of year for a camping holiday at Hill End – head to the Village campground or the larger Glendora campground. You could even sign up as a campground host.
Spring
Flowers are at their best this time of the year - enjoy cherry blossoms and blooms in the historic cottage gardens.
Winter
The winter light is renowned among artists and photographers - you may even get some shots of snow .
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
15°C and 27°C
Highest recorded
40.1°C
Winter temperature
Average
1°C and 15°C
Lowest recorded
-8.9°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
April and May
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
108.7mm
Facilities
- This campground is suitable for caravans, camper trailers, campervans and tents.
- Most unpowered sites have a fire ring. You must have a booking for an unpowered site to camp on these sites.
- Powered sites are marked and have a fire ring and water tap. You must have a booking for a powered site to camp on these sites.
- Powered sites suitable for small caravans are on the lower level and are about 5m wide by 12m long.
- Powered sites suitable for caravans are on the upper level and are about 7m wide by 9m long.
- There's a Dump-Ezy for caravans
- There are no rubbish bins, please take your rubbish with you.
Amenities
- The amenities block includes toilets, showers, drinking water, washing-up sinks and a laundry with coin-operated washing machine and dryer. Please bring your own $1 coins; coins are not available onsite.
- The block is locked and requires an access code which will be emailed to you before your stay. Please make sure you check your emails before arriving.
Toilets
- Flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
Electric barbecue is housed in the shelter shed. All fire rings in the unmarked camp area are shared.
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Drinking water
Water is available in the amenities block. Powered sites have their own tap.
Showers
Showers are free and push-button operated.
- Hot showers
Electric power
Powered campsites have power. There are power points located in the bathrooms and laundry for charging of phones.
Step-free access
The campground has some areas of flat ground and some areas of sloping hillside. There are no pathways - you'll need to cross over grass and gravel to reach the campsites and facilities.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Village campground has the following accessible facilities:
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible showers
- Accessible picnic tables
The campground has areas of sloping hillside and there are no pathways. People with reduced mobility may need assistance to get across some of the grassed and gravel surfaces.
Permitted
Pets
- Dogs are permitted at this campground on the condition that they’re are kept on a leash and do not disturb other campers. Please remember to pick up after them.
- Dangerous dogs and restricted breed dogs as defined under the Companion Animals Act must be muzzled at all times.
- Dogs are not allowed within 10m of barbecues or picnic tables.
Prohibited
Amplified music is not permitted.
Drones
Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.
This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.
Commercial filming and photography
Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.
Generators
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Village campground is in Hill End Historic Site. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A past to cherish
Artists have long gravitated to picturesque Hill End. Since the Second World War the scarred landscape has drawn artists such as Russell Drysdale, Donald Friend, John Olsen and Brett Whiteley to capture the striking scenery on canvas. The Hill End Artist in Residence Program is run by Bathurst Regional Art Gallery and continues this tradition, offering contemporary artists an opportunity to make the pilgrimage to Hill End. Take a walk in the same landscape that has moved so many artists. Please note: Selected works from the program previously on display at the Jean Bellette Gallery in the Visitor’s Centre, will be re-located to a new venue at a date to be advised.
The gold rush hit nearby Bathurst in 1851 and Hill End, swept up in the frenzy, was settled in 1852. It wasn’t until almost 20 years later, however, that large-scale mining began. After most of the mining population had moved on, it was the Gold Centenary Celebrations in 1951 that were the catalyst for Hill End being recognised for its significant heritage value.
- Capertee and Hill End 4WD camping tour Explore the stunning sights of Capertee, the Turon River and Hill End on a 4WD camping adventure with Adrenalin Offroad Centre.
- Cornish Quartz roasting pits The quartz roasting pits are a short drive from Hill End and are a significant historical remnant of Australia’s earlier mining heritage.
- Craigmoor House Step back in time at heritage Craigmoor House in Hill End Historic Site. Home to the Marshall family for nearly a century, this lovingly preserved building has fascinating tales to tell about life in a mining town during colonial times.
- Denningtons Cottage Denningtons Cottage is a heritage miner’s cottage built in 1858 in Hill End, and now home to ceramic artist studio.
- Hill End gold 4WD adventures Hop on board a comfortable 4WD vehicle and enjoy a thrilling journey over rugged 4WD trails as you explore the Hill End and Sofala goldfields region. These excursions with Simmo’s Offroad Tours are a great way discover fascinating gold rush history and heritage.
Mine for gold
Ever wondered how gold is separated from the rock it’s found in? Or want to know what a steam boiler or battery stamp’s used for? Hill End is full of places where you can learn all about mining gold. Visit the Colonial Gold Mining Company’s roasting kilns and battery buildings, enjoy a barbeque at the grounds of the Historic Hill End Hospital, check out the impressive collection of carriages and work machinery from the gold rush era housed close by, and don’t forget to book one of the many tours available while you’re there to make the most of your visit.
- Bald Hill tourist mine Experience the underground world of a goldminer at Bald Hill tourist mine. A short walk or drive from Hill End, this guided tour is ideal for families and school groups.
- Beaufoy Merlin lookout Beaufoy Merlin lookout offers spectacular views and an excellent vantage point to see the true scale of former mining activities. It’s also great for photography.
- Hill End Heritage Centre Hill End Heritage Centre's interactive museum displays and historic information are the perfect introduction to any visit to Hill End Historic Site.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)
The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.