John Oxley explored the area in 1818, by 1840 some cattle outstations had settled in the area, but it was largely unsettled because of the steep, rugged and scrubby terrain. Hill End was originally known as Bald Hill. 

When gold was discovered in Ophir prosperity came to the region and in 1860 Hill End as it is now known was gazetted as a village in 1867. In 1872 very rich gold deposits were discovered and thousands of people came to the region. 

Besides businesses of many kinds, and houses spring up, there were 52 pubs. The largest nugget ever found in Australia was discovered at Hawkins Hill in 1872. Following the boom years the population gradually dwindled and nowadays about 80 people live in the village. It was proclaimed an historic site in 1967 and is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. 

We visited the Royal Hall, built 1900, the Royal Hotel 1872, the sole survivor of the 50-odd pubs, Craigmoor House 1875 the exterior of which has been restored to its original condition and the interiors and furnishings original, the Heritage Centre originally the Rural Fire Shed now an interactive museum opened 2016.

This highlights the history of Hill End, historical artefacts, interactive iPods highlighting Holtermann’s Collection of Beaufoy Merlin’s marvelous photographic collection.  

Quite a few old houses have been restored and shops – the village has so much to see and read about, it would be great to spend two or three days there.

We came home through Sofala on the Turon River, another very old mining town claimed to be the oldest surviving gold town. 

Proclaimed a village in 1851, gold was discovered there in 1851 when the population rose to 10,000.

But by 1854 it had dwindled to 600. Nowadays it is 250 but it is a picturesque and lovely old-worldy village. It too like Hill End attracts artists.