The world's largest piece of gold was found by The Star of Hope Gold Mining Company at Hill End on 19th October 1872.  It weighed 285kg and measured 150 cm by 66cm with an average width of 10cm and contained around 3000 ounces of gold. 

One of the partner's, Bernhardt Otto Holtermann was also interested in photography and financed Beaufoy Merlin and his apprentice, Charles Bayliss for a series of photographs to capture these times.  The photographs are now known as the "Holtermann Collection" (zoom in & out on photos for incredible detail).

Following the Star's find, over 30,000 people rushed to the Hill End / Tambaroora goldfields, making it the largest inland settlement of NSW.  There were over 50 hotels in Hill End at the time.  Today the last one standing is The Royal Hotel (circa 1872) 

Set 1000m above sea level, Hill End has commanding views over a rugged natural and man-made landscape.  Consequently, many famous artists such as Donald Friend,Russell Drysdale,Brett Whitely and Margaret Olley have been captivated by Hill End and its surroundings.  (View Hill End paintings in the NSW Art Gallery). 

The village was declared a historical site in 1967 due to the significance of the artists' contributions and Hill End's history and in 1995 the Art Gallery of NSW established the Artists in Residence programs.

Hill End is 72 kms from Mudgee - See MAP
Self Guided or Guided Tours of Hill End
Hill End Gold Deposits
National Library

Hill End Artists
Art Gallery of NSW (Hill End Art)
Artists in Residence Program
Gulgong - Gold Rush Town 

Hill End Lodge
3538 Hill End Road Hill End
Telephone 02-6337 8200


Hill End Ranch
High Street Hill End
Telephone 02-6337 8329

Glendora Camping Area
Lees Lane Hill End
Telephone 02-6337 8206


Village Camping Area
Clark Street Hill End
Telephone 02-6337 8206