The Australian gold-rush era is one of the country’s most popular stories. When gold was first discovered in 1851, news quickly spread around the world and saw an influx of people from countries like England, Poland and Germany who travelled here in great numbers, lured by the possibility of striking gold. This transformed the Australian economy and dramatically increased its population within a matter of years. No longer just a penal colony for convicts, the country became a lucrative and respectable destination for immigrants and miners looking to make a fortune.
The first major discovery of gold happened right here in the Bathurst region of New South Wales, followed by the neighbouring state of Victoria and in Western Australia and Queensland soon after. The days of the gold rush may have long since passed, but some of these towns still thrive and offer a strong taste of the country’s rich past. If this piques your interest, consider visiting Sofala, Australia’s oldest surviving gold-rush town, located just north of Bathurst. The tiny, time capsule village only has 3 streets and offers authentic, old-world charm in spades. It can also be easily explored on a weekend sojourn from Sydney. Here’s everything you need to know about the rustic village.
Sofala, NSW
Gold was first discovered in Sofala in 1851 leading to a population boom of about 10,000 people, but the rush did not last long and most of its population moved on to other prospective gold rush towns in a matter of years. Perched beside the Turon River with a mountain backdrop to boot, the town is home to just over 200 residents today with a number of buildings from the gold rush still standing. The well-preserved village offers a classic country pub, quaint streets, and the old Sofala Police Station.
The town is best described through Australian artist Russell Drysdale’s painting “Sofala” which the Art Gallery of NSW says is “an expression of the quintessential qualities of an inland Australian country town.”
Things to do in Sofala
1. Go on a historical walking tour
The town offers a walking tour that takes you past several notable buildings such as the General Store, the Oddfellows Hall which locals used for social gatherings, and the Post Office which was built in 1879 and today serves as a cafe and general store among others. The short walking tour of about 1 hour is a great way to step back in time and offers great insight into the town’s lasting legacy.
2. Check out the Buree Walking Trail
If you want to get amongst nature, the Buree Walking Trail in the Wattle Flat Heritage Lands North is a 2-hour walk flanked by picturesque views of Sofala and the Turon Valley. Yellow triangles mark the trail and it’s a fairly easy track to walk on, also offering opportunities for birdwatching.
3. Have a drink at the Royal Hotel Sofala
This cosy spot is open daily from 12pm to 8pm and is a quintessential country pub in the heart of Sofala. Sit outside under the trees and enjoy views of the tiny town or grab a pint in the beer garden at the local pub.
4. Camp by the water
Sofala is a popular campsite along the Turon River and offers starry skies away from the light pollution of the city. Camp for free by the river at Ration Point Campground, just 3km from Sofala or camp under the stars at Crossley Bridge Sofala Campsite.
5. Explore the History Hill Museum
The History Hill Museum houses museum exhibits and an underground mine dating back to the 1850s. Items on display include over 10,000 gold rush artefacts, steam engines and more. The museum is open daily except on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve with an entry fee of $10 for adults and $7 for kids.
How to get there
The quickest and easiest way to get to Sofala from Sydney is by road and would take around 3 hours via the Great Western Highway. The town is a quick 40-minute drive from Bathurst. While there is no feasible public transport route available from Sydney, you could take the train from Central to Bathurst and then rent a car to Sofala. Find accommodation options here. Get more information about Sofala on Visit NSW.