Village campground

Hill End Historic Site

Open, check current alerts 

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.

Accommodation Details
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 Book up to 20 people or 5 sites online. For larger groups, make a group booking enquiry.
Please note
  • Sites are marked.
  • Check in after 2pm, check out before 10am.
  • The campground is about 500m from Hill End Historic Site.
  • Tent sites are not always level. 

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. 

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/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/village-campground/local-alerts

Bookings

Park info

See more visitor info

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

Safety messages

Camping safety

Whether you're pitching your tent on the coast or up on the mountains, there are many things to consider when camping in NSW national parks. Find out how to stay safe when camping.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

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).

Mobile service is available throughout the campground but can be intermittent. There is a signal booster at the campground amenities block and at Hill End Heritage Centre which is located 500m from the campground.

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

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.
Show more

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)