Hill End, NSW The "Need to Knows" Where: Hill End is located an hour North of Bathurst, an hour South of Mudgee, or approximately 3.5hours West of Sydney. It is considered part of the Bathurst district. ​ Points of Interest: Hill End Historical Site, History Hill, Tambaroora Fossicking Area, Golden Gully, Bald Hill Mine and Walk, Jhob's Gold Panning Tours ​ Kid friendly? Definitely. The kids loved gold panning and delving into history, as well as climbing out of a mine. ​ Website: Hill End It was a beautiful sunny autumn day as we drove into the main street of Hill End. Majestic trees, their leaves turning orange and red, lined either side of the road, framing our entry. A portal to another world, where adrenaline and luck were once all you needed. It was magical. Hill End first captivated me 30 years ago when I visited on school camp. It still does today, as my imagination runs wild, piecing together what this now quaint town would have been like during the height of the gold rush. Today, the majority of the town is cared for by NSW National Parks and Wildlife and is known as the Hill End Historical Site. The site was added to heritage listings in 1999, and there are buildings that still existing as they did in the late 1800's. Although Hill End has a current population of around 80, it was once home to 8000 people when miners travelled here to try their luck at finding gold. At the height of the gold rush the town was serviced by 2 newspapers, 5 banks, 8 churches and a mind-blowing 28 pubs. Now there is just one, serving lunch from 12pm. The Hill End Walking Trail takes in the main sites of the town, with the best starting place at the Heritage Centre on Beyers Rd. The Heritage Centre is home to a range of artefacts and allows self guided exploration to learn about the area and its rich history. From here, walk the streets of Hill End, discovering the history of the remaining buildings and also read the signposted information detailing what used to stand in the now vacant lots. There is a map outside the heritage centre and you can also download one through the NSWPWS app (although admittedly I always find NSWPWS info confusing to say the least). ​ If you are after a bite to eat, or a caffeine injection, the general store- 24 Carrot Cafe- has coffee, snacks, lunch and food supplies, as well as petrol. The service was friendly and cheerful. ​ After exploring the main town, we headed out to Tambaroora fossicking area where we joined Jhob’s panning tours, panning the creek for alluvial gold deposits. Jhob provided a great explanation of how to pan and was an enjoyable, happy character, excited by everyones' finds. The kids loved this- the little ones loved playing in the creek and the mud, exploring the large pieces of rock and quartz, while Miss 7 was totally enthralled with finding gold (and she was quite good at it!). ​ ​ Gold Panning- Tambaroora Fossicking Area Gold panning with Jhob's Gold Panning Tours 1/15 We attempted a stop at Golden Gully to complete the short, kid friendly walking track that takes in some old mind shafts and 'The Arch', a geological formation created from mining and erosion. Unfortunately, the track was closed due to instabilities in the area. Rangers were working there as we passed, so hopefully whatever the issue is, it will be resolved sooner rather than later. ​ We then headed to History Hill, located on Hill End rd heading back to Bathurst. This is a privately owned museum and the home of the The Son of Hope mine. Above ground there is an extensive museum, housing all sorts of artefacts from the golden area of the goldfields. The collection is well laid out, with signs explaining the significance and use of many of the items. If it hadn’t of been for the kids, I could have spent hours upon hours here. After exiting the museum, the path leads down to the mine, where you can walk the 175m length. There are some displays along the way and you get a true sense of what being underground would have been like. At the end of the tunnel you can either turn around and walk back out (and back up the hill) or you can climb the 18m straight up to the surface, with the aid of 8 ladders. We took the short cut- even the twins. There was only one scared participant and that was me- but I made it to the light and live to tell the tale… and it was better than having to drag little people back up the hill! History Hill Museum Location: 3458 Hill End Rd, Hill End Cost: A: $10, C: $7 Contact: www.historyhill.com.au/ Hill End Heritage Centre and Walking Tour Location: Start at the Heritage Centre, 1 Beyers Ave, Hille End Cost: Free Contact: NSWPWS Jhob's Gold Panning Location: 4140 Hill End Rd, Hill End Cost: $10pp, minimum $40 (weekdays outside of NSW school holidays is double) Contact: Jhob's Gold Panning Tours We loved our day out at Hill End, although there were still plenty of places and walks that we didn't get to do. These include: * Bald Hill Mine (we didn't go here as I had read that the exit was not suitable for your children) * Bald Hill walking track * Beaufoy Merlin Lookout * Valentines Mine and the Cornish roasting pits (both part of the historic site but outside of town) ​ For more info, check out the links below or contact us via Facebook. ​

About Us ​ We are a family of five from South-Western Sydney, NSW, who love travelling and exploring. When we aren't travelling, we are planning our next trip while filling in our weekends with local adventures. We love the experiences that we have as a family and the memories that we are creating. ​ In the last few years we have undertaken some small road trips, ranging in length from a simple weekend to a 3 week/3 state jaunt. We plan on continuing these mini trips as as we build towards undertaking a "Big Lap" in 2024. ​ We have started The Nutty Nuskes to share some of our adventures and to hopefully inspire others to get out and experience what Australia has to offer. We hope to provide helpful information for all travellers, but particularly those who are travelling with younger kids. Meet the Nutty Nuskes Itineraries Destinations Australia's 'Big Things' Aussie Adventures with the Nutty Nuskes

Sofala, NSW The "Need to Knows" Where: Sofala is located 40 minutes from Bathurst, or approximately 3.5hours West of Sydney. It is considered part of the Bathurst district. ​ Points of Interest: Sofala is a small town with a rich history. There is plenty to see in the few streets that make up the town, so wander around at leisure. ​ Kid friendly? Our little kids enjoyed running lose and checking out the river, whilst older kids will appreciate the history of Sofala. ​ Website: Sofala In May, 1851, alluvial gold was found in the Turon River, NSW, and suddenly the existing rural area became swamped with diggers hoping to find gold. By August of that year, Sofala had been established, with the richest gold-bearing stretch of the Turon lying within its borders. By the end of the year Sofala was home to multiple pubs, a postal service, hundreds of businesses and thousands of people. The gold rush had well and truly gripped the region and Sofala was a major player. ​ Entering what remains of Sofala today, it is hard to imagine the chaotic scenes that would have unfolded in the 1850's. Now home to around 200 people, the few remaining streets of Sofala appear to be frozen in time. The sound of the Turon flowing can be faintly heard as we pull into the town. Greeted by a stamping battery, used in the later part of the gold rush, and a partial footbridge, the scene is set for a step into history. ​ We wandered around Sofala, roughly following the historic walking trail . We began by exploring the remains of the Sofala footbridge that was built in 1880 but lost to a flood in the 1980's, before being rediscovered and restored. We walked past the original postal office and telegraph station, now both private residences, and the original doctors surgery, now a book store. The town was quiet, with not many people around, adding to it's mysterious aura. It was early in the morning, so nothing was open as we walked past the local cafe, homed in another original building and a stones throw from the Royal Hotel, built in 1862 (although the original hotel that stood in the same place was built in 1851 but burned down in the late 1850's). We continued on our walk, taking in the old bank, the Gold Commissioners house and the old courthouse. Back where the two main streets join, there was a rustic display of old cars and other curious creations, clearly made by one of the local residents living across the street. After completing our loop through the main town, we headed down to the banks of Turon and were met with a flowing river and picturesque bush setting. The kids scrambled over the rocks as I imagined thousands of men trying their luck hundreds of years ago. This is the type of setting I love getting lost in! ​ A short drive out of Sofala takes you to the free camp site (would love to stay here once we have the caravan!), the cemetery, convent and the original school site, with the newer Sofala Public School next door. Sofala is a great stop before heading onto the bigger gold town of Hill End, as it offers such a rustic charm- Australia's oldest surviving gold town, presenting a moment in Australia's history. 1/1

New South Wales Whether it's exploring the amazing coast, getting lost in Australia's busiest city, chilling out in Byron, or crossing into the outback as you travel through the rural West, New South Wales has much to offer travellers, and families in particular. Sydney Content Coming Soon Beyond the Capital ​ Hill End Lockhart Lower Blue Mountains ​Wascoe Siding Upper Blue Mountains Leura ​ Moama Echuca​ Richmond Vale Heritage Railway Sofala

South Australia Think of the rolling Adelaide hills, the crystal clear waters that stretch along the coastlines, the rugged Coorong, the road- trippers' Nullabor or the red sands of the outback and you have South Australia. Oh, and wine. Lots of wine. Adelaide Port Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Beyond the Capital Content coming soon

Tasmania Hobart Content Coming Soon Beyond the Capital Content Coming Soon

Victoria There are so many things to see and do in Victoria. Whether it is checking out the trendy laneways of Melbourne, getting up close and person with fairy penguins, meandering along the Art Silo Trail in the wheatbelt or wandering through the temperate rainforests of the Otways, there is something for everyone. Just don't forget to pack a raincoat....and a windjacket....and your cossies...... Melbourne Content Coming Soon Beyond the Capital Echuca Dimboola Minyip

Northern Territory The variety of the Northern Territory possibly showcases what it is that makes Australia Australian. Maybe the NT calls you to discover coastal Darwin, or the stunning National Parks of Kakadu and Litchfied, or Alice. Maybe you are drawn to the red centre and the sacred Uluru- Kata Tjuta National Park or stunning Kings Canyon. Darwin Content Coming Soon Beyond the Capital ​ ​Content coming soon

Western Australia Perth Content Coming Soon Beyond the Capital Content Coming Soon

Australian Capital Territory The ACT was established as a home for Australia's capital city Canberra in 1913. As the political heartland of Australia, it is Australia's only landlocked territory and despite being small, it is packed with plenty to see and do. Whether it is paying respects at Australia's war memorial, getting up close and personal with Parliament house, wandering the shores of Lake Burleigh Griffin or having some fun at Questacon there is appeal for both young and old. Content Coming Soon

Destinations Explore some of the locations we have visited and the activities we have undertaken. Peruse our content by State or use the search bar to find a particular location or activity. Check out our handy "need to know" details for these amazing places to help you with planning your next adventure. ​ Check back for new content or follow us on Facebook and the Gram. Destinations by State New South Wales South Australia Victoria Queensland Australian Capital Territory Northern Territory Western Australia Tasmania Image Gallery is the work of Nooskah Photography

Richmond Vale Heritage Railway The "Need to Knows" Where: 262 Leggets Drive, Richmond Vale Richmond Vale Heritage Railway is located in the Hunter Valley. It is 4km from Kurri Kurri, 20 minutes from Cessnock or a 1hr 45 minute drive North of Sydney When: Open the first 3 Sundays of every month plus every Sunday during NSW school holidays from 9.30am Cost: Adults: $16, Concession: $11, Kids (5-15): $7.50, Under 5’s: Free Kid friendly? Yes! Plenty to see and do. Our kids loved the ride on the steam train and the miniature trains as well as working the old signals. Our eldest found the heritage museum interesting. Nearby: Hunter Valley Gardens (30minutes), The Big Kookaburra @ Kurri Kurri (4km) More info: https://www.richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org/ Richmond Vale Heritage Railway provided an interesting activity stop on our roadtrip North. Located in the Hunter Valley, it is close by to both Cessnock (20minutes) and Pokolbin (30 minutes) and is about a 1hr 45 minute drive North of Sydney. Located in a peaceful bush setting, the railway is the only operating heritage railway north of the Hawkesbury. ​ The railway provides unlimited full sized train rides once you have paid your admission. During March- November these will generally be steam powered, with diesel used during Summer or total fire bans. The trains take a track through the bush setting and back, completing a round trip in about 20minutes. Our little train lover was spellbound! In addition to the big trains, there is also a miniature train operating. There is, however, an additional cost for this- a gold coin donation. Well worth it for the joy of the kids as they go around being pulled by one of the museums 2 locomotives. ​ The railway also houses two museums. The first is located at the entry, and contains a range of artefacts and information about trains and the railway. Further back on the property, a larger museum is located inside the old colliery administration building. This museum contains maps, photos and artefacts that relate to both the history of the colliery and the development of the South Maitland Coalfields. Our kids loved some of the old objects here, including the typewriters and switchboard phones. ​ Another feature of the railway that the kids enjoyed were the old signals. The kids could actually operate these and enjoyed testing their strength in doing so. ​ There is a kiosk and souvenir shop on site and plenty of space to enjoy a picnic while you watch the trains. This was definitely worth the stop- especially if you have a train lover- and was a nice break on our drive through to Tamworth.