Great Western Store

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Overview

Stop by the Great Western Store on your visit to Hill End. The rare photography collection on display offers a fascinating snapshot of life during the mining boom.

Type
Historic buildings/places
Where
33 Tambaroora Street, Hill End, NSW, 2850 - in
Accessibility
Medium
Opening times

During special events and exhibitions. Contact the Hill End Historic Site office for more information.

Step inside this original building and get a glimpse of what it would have been like during the heyday of the gold rush era. 

Imagine the daily chatter of miners looking for their fortune as they visit one of the few shops to be found along this section of Tambaroora Road. In its heyday, bullock teams travelling between Mudgee and Turon River packed the streets, and the sound of whips cracking as bullocks moved through town would have filled the air.
 
Great Western Store is home to a display of the 'Holtermann Collection', one of Australia’s most rare and significant photographic collections. These photos provide an incredible historical record and unique window into life during the gold rush times. Take a good look at the shots of the miners and you’ll see the hardship etched on their faces.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/great-western-store/local-alerts

General enquiries

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Great Western Store.

Getting there and parking

Great Western Store is in the southern precinct of Hill End Historic Site. To get there:

  • Continue driving on Hill End Road into the township, where it becomes Beyers Avenue.
  • At the fork in the road, veer left onto Denison Street.
  • Turn right onto Tambaroora Street
  • Great Western Store is located on your left, before the post office.

Road quality

  • Sealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Street parking for cars and buses is available near Great Western Store on bitumen seal Tambaroora Street.

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

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

People with reduced mobility may need assistance at the following areas:

  • There are no pathways from the road where you park your car to the entrance of the building. You'll need to cross over flat grass to reach the store.
  • There's an uneven stone step onto the paved verandah of the building. There's another step to get from the verandah into the building.
  • The door at the entrance is a double door, but it doesn't have lever handles, an intercom or a doorbell.

Inside, the Great Western Store is flat and step-free.

Prohibited

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.