Post Office Residence and Stables

Hill End Historic Site

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Overview

Stay in stylish heritage accommodation at the Post Office Residence or The Stables. Enjoy comfort and convenience as you discover the country charms of historic Hill End Historic Site, between Bathurst and Mudgee.

Accommodation Details
Accommodation type House
Where 47 Tambaroora Street, Hill End, NSW, 2850 - in Hill End Historic Site
Bedrooms 4
Maximum guests 8
Facilities Barbecue facilities, drinking water, public phone, showers, toilets, electric power
Please note
  • There are 2 accommodation options. The Residence has 3 bedrooms and sleeps 6 people. The Stables has an upstairs loft bedroom and sleeps 2 adults. You can book one or both options.
  • Check in from 2pm. Check out by 10am.
  • There is limited mobile coverage in this area. Please make note of the booking directions and the access code before you leave home.
  • You can buy basic groceries and café food from Hill End General Store and Café on Clarke Street in the centre of the village.
  • The front of the Post Office Residence still operates as a working post office

Step back in time to the gold rush days at the former postmaster’s home in Hill End Historic Site. Built in 1872, this handsomely restored single-story residence and stables is a great country getaway for families or small groups.

Located in the village,a short stroll from Hill End Heritage Centre, the Post Office Residence combines grand colonial style with modern convenience while The Stables provides a truly unique place to stay and is fully self contained with its own entry, kitchen and living room. Enjoy a peaceful night's rest in 1 of 4 attractively decorated bedrooms, sleeping up to 8 guests. Wake up refreshed for a relaxing breakfast in your kitchen, before stepping out to delve into Hill End’s many attractions.

Once a bustling gold mining town, today Hill End is a popular art, culture and history spot. Stroll down avenues of elm, oak and plane trees, especially beautiful in autumn, as you take a self-guided tour around town. Explore nearby churches, galleries and cottages, with beautiful English cottage-style gardens. Stretch your legs along Bald Hill walking track or head further afield to Golden Gully or Beaufoy Merlin lookout. Then return to your accommodation to relax in the lounge and enjoy a good nights' sleep in comfort.

Our accommodation at Hill End offers an immersive experience dating back to the gold rush days of the historic town. Features include authentic historic buildings and wood heating. Some additions are separated from historic structures to maintain the integrity of the building. Please check the list of features for each building.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map


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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/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/post-office-residence/local-alerts

Bookings

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Post Office Residence and Stables.

Getting there and parking

The Post Office Residence and Stables 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
  • After arriving in Hill End, turn right onto Clarke Street past the Heritage Centre then left onto Church Street.
  • Post Office Residence and Stables is located on the corner of Church and Tambaroora streets

To get there 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, turn right onto Clarke Street past the Heritage Centre then left onto Church Street.
  • Post Office Residence and Stables is located on the corner of Church and Tambaroora streets

The access gate for the Post Office Residence is on the corner of the property, just past the entrance to the working Post Office. Follow the path to the front door of the residence.

The access gate for the Stables is located on the Church Street side of the property.

Road quality

  • Sealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Parking is available along the roadside on Tambaroora and Church streets.

Facilities

The Residence: 

  • Bedding configuration: 2 bedrooms with 1 queen bed. 1 bedroom with 2 king single beds.
  • There are no ensuite bathrooms. There’s 1 toilet with a handbasin inside the residence for the exclusive use of those staying at the residence. There is a shower, bathtub and toilet in a new amenities block at the side of the residence.
  • The guest kitchen includes fridge, oven with 4-burner cooktop, microwave, toaster and kettle.
  • The residence has a common lounge area with TV
  • All bed linen and towels are provided

The Stables:

  • Bedding configuration: 1 queen bed located upstairs using a spiral staircase (not suitable for children or people with mobility difficulties)
  • There's a ensuite bathroom with toilet and handbasin adjoining from the upstairs bedroom. 1 shower over bath and toilet in a new amenities block at the side of The Stables.
  • The guest kitchen includes fridge, oven with 4-burner cooktop, microwave, toaster and kettle.
  • The Stables has a small sitting area downstairs with TV
  • All bed linen and towels are provided
  • Please leave the property clean and tidy with all kitchen items washed up and put away. Additional fees may be charged for any unreasonable cleaning required, or for missing or broken items.

Toilets

  • Flush toilets

Barbecue facilities

  • Gas/electric barbecues (free)

Drinking water

Public phone

There's limited mobile phone service, however no WiFi is available. A public pay phone is available at the front of the post office.

Showers

  • Hot showers

Electric power

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 - no wheelchair access

  • The path to both properties is uneven and narrow and there are several steps to access the The Post Office Residence.
  • The external bathroom is difficult to reach in a wheelchair from inside The Post Office Residence
  • The Stables is not wheelchair accessible

Permitted

Amplified music is permitted but please be considerate of other visitors.

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

Post Office Residence and Stables is in Hill End Historic Site. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

A past to cherish

Beyers Cottage, Hill End Historic Site. Photo: John Spencer

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. 
  • 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.
  • Virtual tour of Craigmoor House Step back in time on a virtual tour of historic Craigmoor House in Hill End. Home to the Marshall family for a century, this heritage building has been lovingly preserved both inside and out, providing a glimpse of what life was like during colonial times.
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Mine for gold

Royal Hotel, Hill End Historic Site. Photo: John Spencer

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. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

    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.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)