With our very short four day stay at Hill End, camping at Hill End Glendora Campground we tried to see and do as much as possible!!!! We wanted to explore and discover what the town had to offer…
We also wanted to show our boys a part of Australian History. From a mining town that used to be bursting with so many people who were looking for their gold. The best way was to head to Merlins Lookout Hill End.
We were so very grateful to have our Second Son spend the Easter Weekend with us before he heads off to Western Australia….he is going to be there for at least 2 years so it was a very special time for all of us.
It was incredible to think about history….this mine has become a HUGE discussion in our Motorhome. The Mine was used for unemployed people to shift rock…which I think is great for those that needed money and was out of work. David on the other hand, he thinks its totally mean!!!
Born Loser ::
“Bald Hill Is as bald within as it is without commented a hearld correspondent. The bald hill mine got off to a shaky start in the early 1870’s. The original application to mine was knocked back on the basis that the hill was an extinct volcano and that diamonds were a more likely yield. Subsequent mining soundly vetoed the volcano theory. The mine failed to produce diamonds or, for that matter, gold in any quantity. Worked intermittenly from 1872 on, the mine had a second lease of life at the turn of the century. As a form of unemployment relief, the government paid out of work miners a guaranteed wage to shift tons of solid rock.”
I think that its great that the government gave the unemployment work and guaranteed wage. That they had to work to earn money and was not left with no money for daily expenses.
David (as a boat builder) thinks that its totally unfair and demeaning for a person to “Shift Rock” instead of being employed for skills that are useful. He reckons that they would have “Felt” useless!!!
Different views on the same situation – interesting how we all think differently but live together!!
I tried to imagine how the Mine used to operate. I like to think about those before us, and think about the way they used to live. We sure have it easy compared to our Grandparents/Great Great Grandparents!!
He is our outdoor Child – the whole weekend he kept saying “Thanking you” for taking him Camping, and telling us “I love being outside”. Guess he was an adventurer in his previous life?
Merlins Lookout Hill End ::
It was so good to walk up to Merlin’s Lookout – the view was stunning. You could see where they have mined on the side of hills and how the landscape has changed over the years.
So good to see for miles around!
After spending a moment in time at Merlins Lookout we jumped into the Camper van and headed to the Information Centre…. where we discovered more about the history of the town and got to read about the biggest piece of Gold!!!
Over the next few blog posts I will be sharing more about Hill End.
Have You Been To Hill End?
If so What Is Your Favorite Part of the Town?
If you haven’t and you are in New South Wales then we highly recommend it!!
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road
We have not been to Hill End. I’m with you Lisa. I think fathers would be glad to work in any capacity in order to provide for their families. The views are great. I tend to drag my heels a bit walking up hill though. 🙂
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Thanks Jan, Girls power rocks!!
I loved walking as much as possible all over Hill End at Easter time…I wished I could explore more like that all the time.
looks like an interesting day out! I’ll look forward to hearing about that Largest Gold Nugget!
Little Gumnut recently posted..Egypt, the land of tight places
Oh wow! Amazing landscape, Lisa! Hill End would definitely be a place my boys would enjoy visiting.
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