About Hill End

Learn interesting facts, history and more 

Discovery and  change

Hill End was discovered in 1851 , when a group of prospectors and miners found Hill End. With only 36 dwellings and 122 people in1861, By 1872, an estimated 7000 people lived in and around the town. Hill End transformed from an undisturbed  landscape into a booming gold-rush hub before rapidly declining into a ghost town.

 

Short Street, Hill End 1872

History

In the year of 1872, Hill End took over, big time and other goldfields faded in to the past. At 2am, on the 19th October, 1872  the world's largest single mass of gold was unearthed at Hawkins Hill, Hill End. The Holtermann specimen with its estimated 3000 ounces of gold immortalized the site of Hill End in history

Gold mines, Hawkins Hill and Nuggetty Gully 1872

Population Change

Hill End’s population boomed from a few hundred in 1850 to roughly 8,000 residents in 1872 during its  gold rush time. By 1890, the gold  ran out, and the population dropped to less than a thousand as miners left to seek fortune in other states. 

Great Western Store, Hill End 1872

Landscape

Hill End is located on the southern edge  with a central upland valley and associated gullies forming low hills, ridges and gently sloping land within the village area. The hillsides east and west are home to newly arrived miners in mud huts, calico tents and  stumps of old gum trees 

Miner's camp, Hill End 1872

"The night too quickly passes and we are growing old

So let us fill our glasses and toast to Days of Gold;

When finds of wonderous treasure set all the South ablaze

And you and I were faithful mates all through the roaring days"

Henry Lawson