Glendora Campground – Historic Gold Rush Camping, Hill End

Glendora Campground offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the living history of the Australian gold rush, providing a comfortable and convenient base right in the heart of the magnificent Hill End Historic Site. This spacious and well-equipped campground is perfect for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone looking to explore this beautifully preserved colonial town. The campground is set in a large, open, grassy area, offering a range of powered and unpowered sites suitable for all camping setups, from tents to large caravans. Its location means you are literally camping within a museum, with the historic buildings and relics of the 1870s gold boom right on your doorstep.

The facilities at Glendora are excellent, providing all the modern comforts needed for a relaxing stay. The amenity blocks feature hot showers and flush toilets, and there is a camp kitchen and electric barbecues available for use. A major drawcard for many travellers is that the campground is pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your dog along for the historic adventure. From your campsite, it’s just a short walk to the famous Royal Hotel, the general store, and the numerous heritage buildings, galleries, and museums that make Hill End so captivating. You can spend your days trying your hand at gold fossicking in the designated areas, exploring the old mine workings on the many walking tracks, or simply soaking up the incredible atmosphere of a town that time forgot. For a comfortable, pet-friendly, and truly unforgettable journey into the past, Glendora is an exceptional choice.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -33.02726, 149.40965

Site Information

• Location: Hill End Historic Site.
• Site suitable for: Tents, camper trailers, caravans, and motorhomes.
• Road access: Sealed road access from Bathurst or Mudgee.
• Site surface: Grass and dirt.
• Camping permitted: Yes, bookings and park entry fees are essential via the NSW National Parks website.
• Maximum overnight stays: Check booking details.
• Number of powered sites: 12 powered sites available.
• Number of un-powered sites: 40 unpowered sites available.
• Facilities: Hot showers, flush toilets, electric barbecues, camp kitchen, picnic tables, rubbish bins.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: Yes, taps are available.
• Mobile phone coverage: Good for Telstra, patchy for other carriers. Public Wi-Fi may be available in town.
• TV reception: Good.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish bins: Yes.
• Open fires: Not permitted. Use of provided barbecues only.
• Generator use: Not permitted.
• Number of sites available: 52 sites in total.

Essentials to Bring

• Gold pan and fossicking gear.
• Sturdy walking shoes for exploring the historic site.
• Warm clothing, as nights can be very cold.

Activities

• Pet friendly: Yes, pets are permitted at the campground but not in historic buildings.
• Fishing: Possible in nearby rivers like the Turon and Macquarie.
• Short walks: A primary destination for historical walks through the town and to mine sites.

Local Amenities (in Hill End)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Royal Hotel, Hill End (~1 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • The Royal Hotel, Hill End (~1 km)
  • Hill End General Store & Cafe (~1 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Hill End Historic Site (on site)
  • Bald Hill Lookout and Mine
  • History Hill Museum
  • Gold fossicking in nearby public areas.
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Village Campground (in the same historic site, different facilities)
• Next Free Camps:
  • The Bridle Track (4WD only, various locations)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • A dump point may be available in the area, check with the NPWS Visitor Centre.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Hill End General Store (check availability/hours). Nearest major stations are in Mudgee (~75 km) or Bathurst (~85 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available onsite at the campground.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite at the campground.

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Central Tablelands (High Altitude)

• Summer (December – February): Hot days with cool evenings. High chance of thunderstorms. Average temperatures from 16°C to 30°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm, sunny days and cool, crisp nights. The autumn colours are spectacular. Temperatures range from 7°C to 24°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cold, with severe frosts and potentially freezing nights. Light snow is possible. Days are typically cool but clear and sunny. Temperatures range from 1°C to 14°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm days with cool nights. The landscape is green and lush. Temperatures range from 7°C to 23°C.