Sydney Hotel Cottage
Hill End Historic Site
Overview
Sydney Hotel Cottage offers cosy accommodation in the gold rush town of Hill End, between Bathurst and Mudgee. Stay in this historic 1870s hotel and explore walking tracks, lookouts and heritage buildings right at your doorstep.
| Accommodation type | Cottage |
|---|---|
| Where | Clarke Street, Hill End, NSW, 2850 - in Hill End Historic Site |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Maximum guests | 4 |
| Facilities | Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, carpark, drinking water, showers, toilets, electric power, kitchen, plates and cutlery, pots and pans, heating, tv, fan |
| What to bring | Hairdryer, food supplies |
| Please note |
|
Enjoy a quiet escape at the charming Sydney Hotel Cottage in Hill End Historic Site near Bathurst. Built in the 1870s and now one of only a few surviving weatherboard hotels in NSW, it’s a history buff’s delight. Once home to many boom-era businesses from tobacconists to English tailors, you find a few historic relics on the walls of the hotel during your stay.
Located in the heart of the village, you’ll have easy access to the attractions of Hill End. Spend your days exploring the nearby churches, galleries and historic stores, or stretch your legs on Village or Bald Hill walking tracks. Step back in time as you discover the world of the colonial goldminers on a guided tour of Bald Hill tourist mine.
Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos and wallabies as you stroll down picturesque streets lined with elm, oak and Monterey pine trees. The town’s English-style cottage gardens filled with lilacs, lilies and fruit trees are a delight for any nature lover.
After a day spent sightseeing, draw a hot bath and unwind in the cottage’s external bathroom. Or pour yourself a glass of wine and relax on the hotel verandah – you’ll have the perfect vantage point to watch the sun set over the town’s historic ruins before settling in for the night.
Our accommodation at Hill End offers an immersive experience dating back to the gold rush days of the historic town. Features include authentic historic buildings and wood heating. Some additions are separated from historic structures to maintain the integrity of the building. Please check the list of features for each building.
Nearby
-
Village walking track
Take an easy self-guided walk and discover the historic heritage of Hill End on Village walking track.
-
Bald Hill walking track
Discover the historic heritage of Hill End on Bald Hill walking track. With great birdwatching, native animals and wildflowers, this easy walk has something for everyone.
-
Bald Hill tourist mine
Experience the underground world of a goldminer at Bald Hill tourist mine. A short walk or drive from Hill End, this guided tour is ideal for families and school groups.
-
Royal Hotel
Transport yourself back to the gold rush era at the historic Royal Hotel, where you can stop for a drink or bite to eat in the bistro or beer garden, after exploring the abundant heritage at Hill End Historic Site.
Map
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/sydney-hotel-cottage/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Hill End Historic Site office
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Closed weekends and public holidays.
- 02 6370 9050
- hill.end@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 5 Beyers Avenue, Hill End NSW 2850
Park info
- in Hill End Historic Site in the Country NSW region
Hill End Historic Site is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Sydney Hotel Cottage.
Getting there and parking
Sydney Hotel Cottage is in Hill End Historic Site. To get there:
- Leave the Royal Hotel
- Drive down the road towards a 2-storey brick building (Northey’s Apartment). Keep right of the war memorial.
- Sydney Hotel Cottage is the yellow and cream weatherboard cottage just after Northey’s on the left-hand side of the road. It has a wooden veranda facing the road. If you arrive at another intersection, you’ve travelled too far.
You’ll need an access code to get in the front door of the property. We’ll email you the code after you book.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available on the street outside the cottage.
Facilities
- Bedding configuration: Bedroom 1 has a queen bed and bedroom 2 has a double bed.
- There is a single bathroom located outside the cottage up a steep ramp. It has a flush toilet, hot shower and a claw-foot bathtub.
- Please leave the property clean and tidy with all kitchen items washed up and put away. Additional fees may be charged if unreasonable cleaning is required, or for missing or broken items.
Toilets
- Flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
Carpark
Drinking water
Showers
- Hot showers
Electric power
Kitchen
Modern, fully equipped kitchenette with a cooktop, oven, fridge, kettle and toaster.
Plates and cutlery
Pots and pans
Heating
Panel heaters in each bedroom and in the loungeroom.
TV
50-inch TV.
Fan
Tower fans in each bedroom and in the loungeroom.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
The bathroom is located up a steep, brick-paved incline. This property is not suitable for people with mobility restrictions.
Permitted
Cycling
Prohibited
Fossicking is prohibited in Hill End Historic Site. There is a Crown Land fossicking area in Tambaroora, 12min drive north of Hill End, where you can fossick with a permit.
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Camping
Drones
Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.
This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.
Commercial filming and photography
Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.
Fishing
Gathering firewood
Generators
Horses
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Sydney Hotel Cottage is in Hill End Historic Site. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A past to cherish
Artists have long gravitated to picturesque Hill End. Since the Second World War the scarred landscape has drawn artists such as Russell Drysdale, Donald Friend, John Olsen and Brett Whiteley to capture the striking scenery on canvas. The Hill End Artist in Residence Program is run by Bathurst Regional Art Gallery and continues this tradition, offering contemporary artists an opportunity to make the pilgrimage to Hill End. Take a walk in the same landscape that has moved so many artists. Please note: Selected works from the program previously on display at the Jean Bellette Gallery in the Visitor’s Centre, will be re-located to a new venue at a date to be advised.
The gold rush hit nearby Bathurst in 1851 and Hill End, swept up in the frenzy, was settled in 1852. It wasn’t until almost 20 years later, however, that large-scale mining began. After most of the mining population had moved on, it was the Gold Centenary Celebrations in 1951 that were the catalyst for Hill End being recognised for its significant heritage value.
- Capertee and Hill End 4WD camping tour Explore the stunning sights of Capertee, the Turon River and Hill End on a 4WD camping adventure with Adrenalin Offroad Centre.
- Cornish Quartz roasting pits The quartz roasting pits are a short drive from Hill End and are a significant historical remnant of Australia’s earlier mining heritage.
- Craigmoor House Step back in time at heritage Craigmoor House in Hill End Historic Site. Home to the Marshall family for nearly a century, this lovingly preserved building has fascinating tales to tell about life in a mining town during colonial times.
- Denningtons Cottage Denningtons Cottage is a heritage miner’s cottage built in 1858 in Hill End, and now home to ceramic artist studio.
- Hill End gold 4WD adventures Hop on board a comfortable 4WD vehicle and enjoy a thrilling journey over rugged 4WD trails as you explore the Hill End and Sofala goldfields region. These excursions with Simmo’s Offroad Tours are a great way discover fascinating gold rush history and heritage.
Mine for gold
Ever wondered how gold is separated from the rock it’s found in? Or want to know what a steam boiler or battery stamp’s used for? Hill End is full of places where you can learn all about mining gold. Visit the Colonial Gold Mining Company’s roasting kilns and battery buildings, enjoy a barbeque at the grounds of the Historic Hill End Hospital, check out the impressive collection of carriages and work machinery from the gold rush era housed close by, and don’t forget to book one of the many tours available while you’re there to make the most of your visit.
- Bald Hill tourist mine Experience the underground world of a goldminer at Bald Hill tourist mine. A short walk or drive from Hill End, this guided tour is ideal for families and school groups.
- Beaufoy Merlin lookout Beaufoy Merlin lookout offers spectacular views and an excellent vantage point to see the true scale of former mining activities. It’s also great for photography.
- Hill End Heritage Centre Hill End Heritage Centre's interactive museum displays and historic information are the perfect introduction to any visit to Hill End Historic Site.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
-
Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)
The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.