Golden Gully walking track
Hill End Historic Site
Overview
Golden Gully walking track is a short drive from Hill End and part of a great car touring route. Enjoy easy walking and taking in the historic surrounds.
- Where
- Hill End Historic Site in Country NSW
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Distance
- 0.2km one-way
- Time suggested
- 15 - 30min
- Grade
- Grade 3
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching.
A visit to Golden Gully makes for a fantastic experience, where you can see where massive erosion has exposed evidence of the underground warren of mines that once dotted the creek line. Golden Gully walking track is a short and easy stroll, ideal for all ages.
This flat, clearly signposted walk leads to a deep gully where you’ll discover old mine shafts and the remnants of Chinese and European alluvial mining techniques. Close your eyes and you can almost hear the sounds of former goldminers searching for their fortune. In July, you’ll walk alongside magnificent wattle trees in full bloom, after which this area was named.
Be sure to look out for ‘The Arch’, a striking formation created by mining, and later erosion. Keep your eye out, too, for the old cemetery. Return via the ruins of Tambaroora and Valentines mine for a picnic lunch, and relax in the shade at the nearby creek.
Also see
-
Hospital picnic area
Hospital picnic area is in Hill End Historic Site, near Village walking track. It’s a great spot to relax, connect with friends and enjoy a barbecue before you move on to the next art, culture or history attraction.
Map
Map legend
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/walking-tracks/golden-gully-walking-track/local-alerts
General enquiries
- 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 Golden Gully walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
0.2km one-way
Time
15 - 30min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
Some bushwalking experience recommended
Gradient
Flat
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles: The walk is 2m-wide and a mixture of hard-packed ground, rocky ground and soft sand.
When the track goes through and under the rock formations of the gully, it becomes uneven with many rocks across its surface.
Steps
Occasional steps: There are around 50 timber steps near the start of the walk. The steps do not have a handrail.
Getting there and parking
Golden Gully walking track is in the northern precinct of Hill End Historic Site. To get there:
- Follow Hill End Road approximately 5km north of the township of Hill End
- Golden Gully is on your left
- If driving from Mudgee, Golden Gully is on your right before you arrive at Hill End.
Parking
Car and bus parking is available on the side of bitumen seal Hill End Road at the start of Golden Gully walking track.
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
Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
People with reduced mobility may need assistance on the following sections of Golden Gully walking track:
- There are around 50 timber steps near the start of the walk. The steps don't have a handrail.
- The track is a mixture of surfaces including soft sand and rocky ground
- At the point where the track goes through and under the rock formations of the gully, the ground is very uneven and rocky.
Permitted
Pets
You can walk your dog on-lead at this location. See other regional parks in NSW that have dog walking areas.
- You will need to keep your dog on a leash at all times and 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 permitted inside buildings or on tours (other than certified assistance animals).
- Dogs are not allowed within 10m of barbecues, picnic tables and children's playgrounds.
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.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Golden Gully walking track 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
-
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.