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Location

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just west of the Great Dividing Range

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28 km north of Mudgee

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72 km east of Wellington

 

 

Fascinating

 Past

‘Rough built theatres and stages where the world’s best actors trod –
Singers bringing restless rovers nearer boyhood, home and God.
Paid in laughter, tears and nuggets in the drama fortune plays-
‘Tis the palmy days of Gulgong –

Gulgong in the roaring days’   Henry Lawson – The Last Review

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George and Henry Cox, early settlers had arrived and established Guntawang in 1822,

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It wasn’t until 1870 when Tom Saunders discovered gold on Red Hill that Gulgong truly flourished. An estimated 20,000 people, lured by the prospect of a quickly amassed fortune, had flocked to the area

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In 1872, this new tent settlement was surveyed as a town. The town became internationally famous, and despite the hardship of life on the goldfields and on the land, there developed a sense of camaraderie which is echoed in the writings of Henry Lawson.

 

 

Gulgong Now

Gulgong has changed little since these times and is one of the most and attractive towns you’ll find –

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approximately 130 buildings are listed with the National Trust.

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 narrow streets which wind between quaint clapboard and iron buildings complete with verandas and iron lace. The bends in the streets reflect the lines of the original tent lines.

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 the Prince of Wales Opera House where Nellie Melba once sang and Les Darcy last fought.  This building, built in 1871 by John Hart Cogdon and known as Cogdon’s Assembly Rooms, is reputed to be the largest bark structure ever built. Today you’re more likely to experience the delights of performance poets during the Henry Lawson Heritage Festival, or a concert or a play put on by the local dramatic society.

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 Gulgong Pioneers Museum. This museum is an amazing achievement in itself. Every era of Gulgong’s history is preserved at the Pioneers Museum
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It covers an acre of ground and houses an astonishing array of Australiana. Mining equipment, horse drawn vehicles, cottages and a blacksmiths shop are among exhibits.

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There’s also museum of sight and sound which traces the history of films and sound recording over the decades.

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The famous ‘Holterman Collection’ of photographs was taken and collated by Charles Bayliss and Beaufoy Merlin.  Thanks to this couple of young photographers, Gulgong is arguably the best documented town in country NSW

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Henry Lawson Centre has a wonderful collection of Henry Lawson memorabilia, a collection of his works aswell as copies of his works and memorabilia for sale

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a thriving arts community in and around Gulgong. Being world famous for its variety of usable clays, the town is home to
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a world class  ceramic gallery,

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a gallery showcasing local art

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 heritage shop which showcases the ancient craft of pewter smithing

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 some great cafes, () an amazing discount store  as well as clubs, pubs land restaurants.

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Accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets

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General country town stores

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Sporting facilities

 

 

Henry Lawson Heritage Festival

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Literary Awards 

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Annual festival June Long Weekend

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This three day heritage event celebrates the life and times of Henry Lawson, and the town of Gulgong.

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Enjoy the Grand Parade, the literary awards and the live performances

 

For more information about Gulgong contact Mudgee Region Visitor Information Centres    
     

 

These  Gulgong businesses are partners in promoting the Bylong Valley Way

 

Easy Driving ..........on Your Inland Adventure Trail

 

From the Bylong Valley Way to the Golden Highway and on to the New England Highway

 

 

 

 

13/4/2009 - 30/6/2012

 

 

 

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Bylong Valley Way

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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© Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry  2009

Website co-ordinator -  Kevin Doherty at Muswellbrook Visitor Centre

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