One of the world’s most famous opera houses may be on our doorstep but that’s not NSW’s only claim to fame. A 19th-century gold rush town in the Mudgee wine region is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest still-operating opera house and it’s one of the state’s best-kept secrets. The Prince of Wales Opera House in Gulgong may not boast the opulence of the Sydney Opera House but it’s historically significant and steeped in history, and well worth the drive out.
Prince of Wales Opera House, Gulgong
The opera house has hosted shows and entertained several generations since it was built between 1871 and 1873 by John Hart Cogden. It closed in the 1960s after television started taking over home entertainment but was purchased and placed under the care of the Gulgong Amateur Musical and Dramatical Society. The event space continues to be a hub for community gatherings and hosts concerts, plays, dances and exhibitions and has long served as a springboard for local talent.
It underwent a major refurbishment in 2023 after obtaining a grant from the NSW Government and now boasts new downstairs seating, plush carpets, and new window and doorway curtains. See what’s playing at the Prince of Wales Opera House here.
Things to do in Gulgong
If you’re planning to visit, there is plenty more to do in the beautifully preserved town and it also happens to be a thriving arts centre. Stroll the streets and discover its intriguing gold rush history and heritage-listed buildings including the Gulgong Pioneers Museum established in 1962 which houses mining equipment, horse-drawn vehicles, photographs and Aboriginal artefacts. Right around the corner, you’ll find The Gallery Gulgong where you can pick up a souvenir and shop for local arts and crafts, jewellry, handmade candles and locally made jams.
Then stop for a bite at the Post Office Hotel, a family-run eatery that serves classic pub fare. Gulgong is also home to the Henry Lawson Centre which pays tribute to the life of Henry Lawson, reputed as Australia’s greatest short story writer through paintings, books and photos. A trip to Gulgong would also be incomplete without a pitstop at Stacks Down Under, a quirky general store in a historic building offering a great variety of products across giftware, health and beauty and anything one might need for daily living. Read more about Gulgong and find accomodation options here.
Getting there
Gulgong is a four-hour drive from Sydney. You can also take the train from Central to Lithgow and then catch the 541 or 545 bus towards Gulgong. The town has easy access to bigger cities like Mudgee which is just 20 minutes away and Dubbo, which can be reached within a 1 hour 20-minute drive.