Fairfax House
Hill End Historic Site
Overview
Enjoy a quiet escape at the heritage Fairfax House in Hill End Historic Site. Surrounded by trees on the edge of the village, you’ll feel worlds away as you discover the charms of this gold rush town between Bathurst and Mudgee.
| Accommodation type | House |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Maximum guests | 4 |
| Facilities | Barbecue facilities, drinking water, showers, toilets, electric power, kitchen, plates and cutlery, pots and pans, heating, tv, washing machine, fan |
| What to bring | Hairdryer, food supplies |
| Please note |
|
Nestled among trees at the edge of Hill End, Fairfax House is the perfect place for a secluded country getaway with an historic twist. Built in the 1870s, it retains some of its original structures. During your stay, see if you can spot the unique fencing and illuminated peep holes that give you a glimpse of the building’s original materials.
Ideal for families, couples or a small group of friends, the house has ample yard space for the kids to run around. As they play, they may be lucky enough to see some of the local wildlife including eastern grey kangaroos, red neck wallabies, echidnas and wombats. Please supervise children at all times as there are old mine shafts on the outskirts of the property, some of which are unfenced.
Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to explore the area. Discover the world of the colonial goldminers on a guided tour of Bald Hill tourist mine or see historic relics along nearby Bald Hill walking track. Towards the heart of town, you’ll find heritage churches, galleries and stores, all steeped in gold rush history.
After a day spent sightseeing, draw a hot bath and unwind in the external bathroom. Or simply relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the serenity of this secluded retreat.
Also see
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Bald Hill walking track
Discover the historic heritage of Hill End on Bald Hill walking track. With great birdwatching, native animals and wildflowers, this easy walk has something for everyone.
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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.
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Denningtons Cottage
Denningtons Cottage is a heritage miner’s cottage built in 1858 in Hill End, and now home to ceramic artist studio.
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Sacred Heart Church
Located on the high side of Hill End Historic Site, Sacred Heart Church offers a rare glimpse into Australia’s past. Hold your wedding ceremony or exhibition at this unique venue, overlooking the historic village and surrounding countryside.
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/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/fairfax-house/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
Operated by
- Hill End Historic Site office
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Closed weekends and public holidays.
- 02 6370 9050
- hill.end@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 5 Beyers Avenue, Hill End NSW 2850
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 Fairfax House.
Getting there and parking
Fairfax House is located in Hill End Historic Site.
To get there: From Bathurst (allow 1.5hrs):
- Turn off the Great Western Highway onto Gilmour Street, at Kelso
- Follow Sofala Road for around 45km.
- At Sofala, turn left onto Hill End Road and continue for around 37.5km to Hill End Historic Site.
From Mudgee (allow 1.25hrs):
- Head north towards Gulgong on the Castlereagh Highway.
- Turn left onto Hill End Road and continue for around 69km to Hill End Historic Site.
After arriving in Hill End, from the Royal Hotel:
- Head towards the war memorial and keep to your left.
- Once past the war memorial, keep to your right and travel along Tambaroora Street.
- You’ll pass Hill End Public School and the Post Office.
- At the end of the street after the Post Office, turn left on to Reef Street.
- Pass Alexander Street on your left. Then turn right onto Albert Street a further 100m to your right. Please note, Albert Street is unsealed.
- Travel around 150m up Albert Street until you reach Fairfax House on your right. The property name is on the fence.
You’ll need an access code to get in the front door of the property. We’ll email you the code after you book.
Road quality
There is 150m of unsealed road leading up to the house.
- Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
There is parking at the house for up to 4 cars.
Facilities
- Bed configuration: 1 bedroom with queen bed and 1 bedroom with 2 single beds.
- The bathroom is external to the house. It has a bathtub, shower and flush toilet.
- Lounge room
- Please leave the property clean and tidy with all kitchen items washed up and put away. Additional fees may be charged if unreasonable is cleaning required, or for missing or broken items.
Toilets
- Flush toilets
Barbecue facilities
There's a firepit in the yard with limited firewood provided. Gas barbecue.
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
Drinking water
Showers
- Hot showers
Electric power
Kitchen
Self-contained kitchen with oven and 4-burner cooktop.
Plates and cutlery
Pots and pans
Heating
Panel heaters.
TV
Washing machine
A washing machine and small clothesline are located in the bathroom.
Fan
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Fairfax House has an outdoor bathroom with 5 steps. It’s not suitable if you have mobility difficulties.
Permitted
Cycling
Prohibited
Fossicking is prohibited in Hill End Historic Site. There is a Crown Land fossicking area in Tambaroora, 12min drive north of Hill End, where you can fossick with a permit.
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Camping
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.
Gathering firewood
Generators
Horses
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Fairfax House 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.