Location of (1) Salvation, (2) Flirtation, (3) Magazine and (4) Church Hill, Gulgong
Names of hills around Gulgong:
- Salvation Hill, so named because a Salvationist miner found gold there;
- Flirtation Hill, so called because the courting couples used to repair there on Sundays;
- Magazine Hill, a barren eminence surmounted by one gnarled, twisted tree;
- Church Hill, on which stand three out of five of the religious structures;
- Rocky Hill, out of the town a little way [on Barney's Reef Road], and only remarkable for the size, quantity, and diversity of shape of its boulders.
- Blue Biddy is out in another direction [Beryl], and
- Guntawang Hill is extremely steep, with an uncomfortable fall on one side if one's car or horse plays up.
- Red Hill, location of the first payable gold found in the district.
- Surface Hill
- Trilby Hill
- Round Mountain
1926 - Glimpses of Country Life
In common with many other mining towns in N.S.W., Gulgong has gone back a great deal. Mining villages were of mushroom growth, and they sank back into obscurity as quickly as they sprang up.
For a time Gulgong flourished apace; gold was found in large quantities, fortunes were made and lost; then, as the gold diminished, so did the trade, which was the life-stream of the town. It is many years now since mining was actively carried on here, but in days gone by huge amounts of gold were taken away.
The first to be discovered was on Red Hill, where the fine public school now stands. Over 30 tons of the precious metal were extracted from this mine. Many other mines also yielded large quantities. The only mine working in recent years was the Star of the West, on the Guntawang road; but this, too, has now closed down, work being impossible on account of water in its depths. Similar water trouble has caused many of the mines which otherwise would be workable to close down. Numerous attempts have been made to pump it out, but all have been futile. Gold was found also on Salvation Hill— so named because a Salvationist miner found it — on the Tallawang road. Here and there along the track can be seen traces of the holes, mostly filled in. A few old miners still fossick for the few grains that, reward their labours, and it is sad to reflect that they are the sole representatives of a once thriving industry.
There are also some lead mines in the district. These are still active. Their lights are seen from the road, in places, and at night they make a weird sight — twinkling pixies shining against the sombre background of tall black mountains and wild hush.
Now that all the mines in the town are closed down, and the landscape, is no longer marred by ugly, gaping holes and unwieldy cranes with hooks and chains, one realises that Gulgong is a very pretty little town. Standing on Church Hill one can see in all directions. Out to the west, at sunset, there is a glorious vista of purple mountains, shading from deep blue to roseate pink, as the sun tips them with rosy effulgence. The white road winds its way between green paddocks and fertile gardens. The trees lining the banks of the little creek finish a beautiful picture, spoilt only by the rattling contraption that calls itself a bridge. Many of the surrounding hills have quaint names. There is, besides the Salvation Hill, Flirtation Hill, so called because the courting couples used to repair there on Sundays; Magazine Hill, a barren eminence surmounted by one gnarled, twisted tree; Church Hill, on which stand three out of five of the religious structures; Rocky Hill, out of the town a little way, and only remarkable for the size, quantity, and diversity of shape of its boulders. Blue Biddy is out in another direction, and Guntawang Hill is extremely steep, with an uncomfortable fall on one side if one's car or horse plays up.
GUNTAWANG station is well known westward and eastward for its splendid horses. When Mr. Rouse owned it there were few better stations in the vicinity. It is still a beautiful place. The sheds of lucerne, the men's quarters, and various other outbuildings make a pleasant picture. The river runs just below. At
one time its beauty was enhanced by huge green willows that lined its banks for miles. There are still a few, but many have failed to live through the droughts that have ravished the district. The roots of one hoary old fellow beneath the bridge are worn smooth by the feet of fishermen, for the river is rich in fish, and is a favourite resort for disciples of Izaak Walton, being only six miles from the town. Most
of the roads round Gulgong are good.
There was no town-planning when Gulgong was laid out. The streets just followed the tracks of the bullock waggons in the long ago; so it is easy to guess that they wind in a serpentine fashion. Some of the town's buildings are quite imposing. The Presbyterian Church is comparatively new, and is a beautiful building. There is an honour tablet, veiled with flags, on one side. The Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England are also handsome edifices on Church Hill. The town hall is a two-storied brick building of a particularly solid kind. Loneragans, the main shopping centre, is a worthy addition to the town's architecture. It is fitted up in the most modern fashion. In contrast to this, however, one finds a quaint little shop further down, approached by three steep steps, down which the writer fell with four loaves of bread one sad day. Here one can buy cakes, bread, and sweets in a tiny box-like room, dimly dark.
ANZAC PARK is a credit to the town. It has a band rotunda, in which is a memorial tablet to the memory of the Anzacs, who enlisted from Gulgong. It is laid out with flower-beds, lawns, shrubs, and gay trees.
Henry Lawson was born near Gulgong, but closer to Mudgee. Australia's poet has sung the praises of his birthplace, and his verses are well known. "Rolf Boldrewood" [Thomas Alexander Browne] also lived here for some years in pursuance of his duties as gold commissioner, and he made use of local colour in some of his books.
In the mountains in the vicinity the famous Governor brothers took refuge after their ghastly murders; indeed, these mountains look wild and rugged enough to make a fitting hiding place for bushrangers. There are many optimistic old hands about the town, and some modern experts as well, who declare that Gulgong will again flourish and become famous. They affirm that rich deposits of tin, antimony, and other rarer metals are there for the working. Who knows ? — 'Kilbirnie.'
