Hillgrove initially known as “Eleanora Township”, was established in 1884 and grew rapidly during the 1880s and 1890s due to expanded mining activities after rail transport from Sydney to Armidale enabled heavy machinery to be brought to the district.
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area features rare dry rainforest, dramatic gorges and waterfalls, extensive wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers and an amazing array of wildlife. It’s best explored as a scenic drive along the Waterfall Way.
Explore the Apsley Macleay Gorges, one of Australia’s largest gorge systems with incredible ridge-top views and visit Wollomombi, the highest waterfall in NSW and a place sure to lift your spirit. Bushwalkers will love the multi-day Green Gully walk that takes in the park’s spectacular landscape and includes overnight accommodation in heritage-listed stockman’s huts. For those seeking heritage accommodation that is slightly more luxurious, East Kunderang Homestead is sure to impress.
Everything in the park is best seen up close immerse your senses and yourself in this wild place while you camp, walk, paddle, picnic, cycle, horse ride, fish or swim.
The Wollomombi Falls are one of the highest falls in Australia. The spectacular single fall from the undulating plateau country around Wollomombi to the floor of the Wollomombi Gorge often gives visitors a truly superb view. The views, though sometimes shrouded in mist, are most spectacular after heavy rain in the area.
Wollomombi Falls are located less than one kilometre south of the village of Wollomombi and approximately two and a half kilometres by road. The access turn off is one and a half kilometres from Wollomombi on the Waterfall Way towards Armidale.
Wollomombi Falls are located in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
Hillgrove, initially known as Eleanora Township, was established in 1884 and grew rapidly during the 1880s and 1890s due to expanded mining activities after rail transport from Sydney to Armidale enabled heavy machinery to be brought to the district. At its peak in about 1898, the population numbered around 3,000 and Hillgrove boasted six hotels, four churches, two schools, several banks, a School of Arts, a hospital, a stock exchange, a courthouse, a police station and a cordial factory.
By the 1920s, most of the village’s buildings were being dismantled and relocated to Armidale and other centres. The result is a fascinating “town” with lots of signs indicating where buildings once stood and lots of empty blocks of land with scattered, rusting relics that hint at a more prosperous time.
The Hillgrove Museum is situated in the old Hillgrove School (1897) on Scouler Street and it contains a collection of photographs and memorabilia designed to give the visitor a unique insight into everyday life in old Hillgrove.
At its peak in about 1898, the population numbered around 3,000 and Hillgrove boasted six hotels, four churches, two schools, several banks, a School of Arts, hospital, stock exchange, court house, police station and cordial factory. By the 1920s, most of the village’s buildings were being dismantled and relocated to Armidale and other centres. The result is a fascinating “town” with lots of signs indicating where buildings once stood and lots of empty blocks of land with scattered, rusting relics which hint at a more prosperous time.
The Hillgrove Museum is situated in the old Hillgrove School (1897) on Scouler Street and it contains a collection of photographs and memorabilia designed to give the visitor “a unique insight into everyday life in old Hillgrove”. It is open Friday – Monday and public holidays from 10.00 a.m.
The Hillgrove Museum
A pleasant, and informative, day’s activity is to start at Metz Gorge lookout. Travel northwards on Chinamans Gully Road to Bakers Creek Falls and tour Hillgrove, including the Museum (Friday to Monday). Then drive to the scenic Long Point Picnic Area – ideal for a picnic lunch! The day can be capped off with a picturesque bush walk.
Long Point in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is easily accessed from Hillgrove and promises absolute peace and serenity! Turn left from Brackin Street onto Brereton-Long Point Road, a gravel road which runs along a narrow ridge for 20 km to Long Point. This follows a Tablelands remnant ridge between the Chandler River and Bakers Creek Gorge and leads to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. About 1.6 km from the Park entrance, the turnoff to the recreation area on the right can easily be missed. On entering the idyllic forest clearing, eastern grey kangaroos may be seen relaxing in the shade of the apple box and blackbutt. The aroma of the lemon scented tea tree or native mint that grows nearby may be in the air. An ideal spot for birdwatching, look for the crimson rosellas and vibrant king parrots in surrounding trees. Lyrebirds are known to forage for snacks in these parts. The walking tracks and lookout platforms of Long Point offer breathtaking views over the valleys of the Great Escarpment and the upper reaches of the Macleay River
Bakers Creek Falls are clearly signposted both on the road from Hillgrove back to Grafton Road or from Grafton Road. There is a picnic area and lookout which allows visitors to see both the falls and the gorge created by Bakers Creek. The falls are quite spectacular after rainfall and limestone, as well as sand-stone and granite are hidden among the trees and bushes of the valley. It’s the perfect little stop off along the Waterfall Way!
On the other side of the gorge, is the historic mining village of Metz. It was originally known as Sunshine and sometimes known as West Hillgrove.It came into existence in 1889 when gold mining spread across Baker’s Creek Gorge. In 1892 it became known as ‘Metz’ and by 1898 it had a population of 750 which was serviced by a post office (1890), two schools, three churches, several shops, a School of Arts, two hotels, a Masonic lodge, a brass band and cricket and football clubs. The town was short lived. By 1904 the population was in decline and the closure of the hotel, post office and school had closed by the late 1920s. Today little of the town is left and what does remain is on private property. The main interest lies in the views from the Metz Lookout where the remains of the old Bakers Creek Mine can be seen at the bottom of the gorge. It lies 490 m below the gorge wall and the mine shaft was sunk a further 610 m below the surface. A rope-hauled tramway operated by a steam-powered winding engine pulled the trams up and down the precipitous incline.
