During our week-long stay in Mudgee, we took a day trip to Gulgong, an old gold mining town 29km from Mudgee. It is also known as the birthplace of the famous Australian author Henry Lawson. Walking down the main street you can’t help but feel like you have been transported back to the town’s gold rush days with many of its original buildings still in tact.
Gulgong Pioneer’s Museum
On display at the Gulgong Pioneer’s Museum is the history of Gulgong from the gold rush days of the 1870’s when the town was first settled through to present day. The museum, established in 1962, is considered to have one of the best collections of Australiana in the country and has become a big tourist attraction for the town.
There is an extensive collection of memorabilia from farm machinery, shop displays (bakery, butcher, sweets, barber to name a few), fashions and transport covering over 1.5 acres. I would allow at least 2-3 hours to give yourself time to cover all the displays, but you could easily spend longer.
First impressions? There is a lot jam packed into this museum, one would say in every nook and cranny! But the collection gives a good insight into the history of the local area and walking through there are so many hidden treasures to discover.
Our visit to the museum was like stepping back in time, experiencing what life would have been like in a bygone era. There was so much to see! Everywhere you turned there were relics and reminders from the past. For the first time in my life I felt old! Seeing the old TV sets, projectors that I grew up with and seeing the kids response to them. How technology has advanced in just a generation is astonishing.
Cobb and Co coach 
Computers 
Typewriters 
Print presses from yesteryear
Website: https://mgnsw.org.au/organisations/gulgong-pioneer-museum-historical-society/
Gulgong Gold Experience
As a mum of young kids, part of our holiday planning involves searching out activities for the kids to do. Our visit to Gulgong therefore included a trip to the Gulgong Gold Experience where the kids could go panning for ‘gold’. Located on Red Hill, it is the spot where gold was first found in Gulgong.
We were warmly greeted at the reception desk where we paid our entry fee plus an additional $5 per person for a little bag of gravel containing gems and gold flakes and a pan. Upon entry we walked through the imitation underground mining tunnel which also serves as an exhibition tunnel. Along the tunnel walls were displays and information about the history of gold mining in Gulgong. The short tunnel then leads to stairs outside, taking us to the top of the hill where the panning area was located.
The boys ran straight to the panning troughs where they tipped the contents of their bags into the pan and submerging it into the water started swishing the pan around. Their little fingers had lots of fun picking out the specks of gems and gold flakes and putting their treasures into a plastic tube. It was a really fun learning experience. At the end the boys were awarded with a certificate and a tube of gem fragments. It was a nice little momento to take home. It was definitely well worth the visit and it was a lovely way to spend an hour.
Original mine shaft 
Panning for gold
Website: https://www.gulgonggold.com.au/
Gulgong Adventure Playground
On the edge of the historical town is a large playground that has recently been built. It’s a great way to spend an hour or so of your day – which is exactly what we did – as we watched the boys happily enjoying themselves. It was sunny when we were there and the sun shades were welcomed indeed!
There is a lot of different playing equipment to cater for children of all ages, including a bike path and a dry river bed. But the favourite was the spinning see saw
In terms of facilities, there were picnic tables and barbeques, so you could make the most of it by bringing a picnic lunch. But most importantly there were toilets and plenty of parking!
Bike path alongside the river bed 
Spinning see-saw 
Dry river bed
Location: Apex Park, Nandoura Street, Gulgong
Our visit to Gulgong was definitely a learning experience as we explored the Australiana life of yesteryear. Gulgong offered something for the whole family and we had a wonderful day out. Whether you are driving through or looking for a day trip during your stay in the Mudgee region, put Gulgong on your must-visit list!
More info: https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/mudgee-area/gulgong
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