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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 |
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Fascinating
Past
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‘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.
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Gulgong Now
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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
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a world class Cudgegong
Gallery
ceramic gallery, |
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a gallery Applegum
Crafts
showcasing local art
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heritage shop which showcases the ancient craft
of pewter smithing |
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some great cafes,
(Emily
D's Coffee Shop, Gourmet
on Mayne, Gobble
& Go)
an amazing discount store Stacks
Discount Variety Down Under as
well as clubs, pubs like the Post
Office Hotel & Brasserie and restaurants. |
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Accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets such as The
Stables Guest House, Lottie
May B&B and Henry
Lawson Caravan Park |
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General country town stores like
Countrylane
Homeware, Chris
& Den's Pet Place |
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Sporting facilities such as Gulgong
Golf Club and Cudgegong
Soaring |
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For travel near and far there is
Gulgong
Hire Car Service and
Travelpak
Travel Services |
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Henry Lawson Heritage
Festival
and
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 |
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