Nundle's Hills of Gold

New England - Nundle's Hills of Gold

Nundle is an archetypal small NSW country town, tucked away in gorgeous countryside of the upper Peel Valley near Tamworth.

The nearest golden arches are 50km away, traffic chaos is a memory, quiet and calm prevail. People know each others names - through the eyes of a Sydneysider, it's all bit scary.

The Hills of Gold tag came about when alluvial gold mining was big here in the late 1800s. At the Mt Misery Mine, a quaint museum in Oakenville Street with lots of mining memorabilia and an old shaft you can explore, the ghost of Cranky Jack waits for visitors. Reportedly, he struck paydirt but was killed in the mine before he could cash in, hence his justifiably narky disposition.

Today, many visitors come to Nundle to fossick or pan for gold and sapphires. You can hire panning equipment at the Mt Misery Mine or the Nundle Country Cafe.

Nundle Wool Mill is a new enterprise where old world spinning techniques and machinery are employed to produce the finest quality yarn. It is spun into a variety of clothing, and you can buy a big, thick jumper which will keep the coldest winter nights at bay.

The Nundle Craft Co-op also has hand knitted garments, plus jams, pickles, cakes and heaps of other country temptations.

Dag Sheep Station, on the Murrurundi Road, is a working property where you can get a taste of rural life at very reasonable rates. It has a range of accommodation/meal/activity packages. It is primarily geared for backpackers, but anyone can visit and stay, or enjoy a camp oven dinner in the licensed shearer's mess hall. Working dog and shearing demonstrations are held regularly.

Echo Hills Station, a 6,000-acre sheep and cattle property, offers horseriding for all levels from beginners to the experienced. Four-wheel-drive tours are also available.

If you want to do Nundle in style, the Jenkins Street Guesthouse is a beautifully restored bank with six rooms and an excellent restaurant, Cha Cha Cha, which specialises in fresh produce, including lamb and trout. Crisp white linen and fresh flowers help make Jenkins Street one of the north's classiest weekend getaways.

If camping is more your thing, Nundle also has a couple of great locations to pitch a tent.

At Sheba Dams, high in the hills above town near Hanging Rock, miners constructed two dams in the late 1800s to provide sluicing water for extracting gold. Today, the dams provide a terrific spot to camp for a few days, especially in summer with the kids. You can indulge in three of the essential rituals of a rural upbringing: fishin', swimmin' and catchin' yabbies. Toilets, tables and an undercover cooking shed are provided at the dams.

A 1.2km walking track runs around Sheba Dams. Along the way, you'll see some wonderful high altitude eucalypts, including the Manna Gum, Snow Gum and Black Sally, plus Silver and Black wattles. Birdlife at Sheba Dams includes Black Duck and Wood Duck, plus rosellas and finches. If you're lucky, you may see a wedge tailed eagle or a yellow-tailed black cockatoo.

Ponderosa Park is another picturesque camping area, also reached via the Hanging Rock road. Set in a cluster of magnificent pines, toilets and barbecues are provided here also.

Power boating and water skiing enthusiasts can enjoy Chaffey Dam, 12km north of Nundle on the Tamworth Road. Camping facilities are available at the Bowling Alley Point Recreation Reserve.

Chaffey Dam is also a top spot to wet a line. Yellowbelly, trout and catfish are the main catches. Pelicans, plovers, cormorants, ibis and wild duck live around the dam. 

NSW National Parks can be closed at times of bushfire and bushfire danger. It is advisable to check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service before you set off. Either phone 1300 361 967 (within NSW) or (02) 9253 4600.