Historians and Gold fossickers alike find Adelong a place of great interest. Located on the Snowy Mountain Highway in the south west slopes of the Great Dividing Range, Adelong nestles in the hills between Gundagai to the north, Batlow to the south, Tumut to the east and Wagga Wagga to the west. Hume and Hovell made the first western recording of the area as they passed by the creek on their way back to Sydney Town, completing their historic expedition of 1824-25. The word 'Adelong' contains a sense of older contact with the area, being the local Aboriginal word for 'river of plain'.

Hume and Hovell described Adelong and surrounds as "rough and difficult country", and white settlement of the area proved a slow affair. By the 1830s, 12,000-13,000 sheep were grazed along the Murrumbidgee River. David Johnson established Adelong Creek station there in 1848. Likewise, Thomas Hill Bardwell's "Adelong Station" was running in those early days extending from Tumblong to Batlow.

The first discovery of Gold at Adelong was reportedly by the Rev. B Clarke in 1841. Albeit it was not until around 1852 that the rush to Adelong commenced. These early arrivals mostly engaged in alluvial mining along the Adelong Creek and in the gullies opposite. The accommodation for these hopeful prospectors consisted of tents which flanked the banks of the creek and the gully opposite throughout the 1850s. During this decade some 20,000 prospectors passed through Adelong, and the area yielded over 200 tonnes of Gold.

Adelong attracted prospectors from all over the world. In fact, so many were from Cornwell in England that a section of Adelong became known as 'Cornishtown'. Some of the successful prospectors set up enterprises in the town, and remained in Adelong after the rush. Much of the township's current population can boast links to fossickers, publicans and storekeepers from the Gold Rush days.

A prominent pioneer of Adelong was William Williams. He discovered reef gold at Old Hill Reef, also known as Mount Charcoal. This site alone yielded over 4 tonnes of gold. He reinvested his finds into the town commercially. By the 1860s he owned a number of the local businesses including the Adelong brewery.

William Williams was part owner of two fossicking companies; Williams Gold Mining Company, and North Williams Gold Mining Company. He earned the nickname 'Gold Dust', and it was known that he carried gold on his person regularly. Once when he was prospecting in a gully north of Adelong, the bushranger Hawthorne planned to rob him. Mistaken identity is said to have led Hawthorne to attack and kill a man named Grant. Hawthorne murdered again before his capture near Goulburn.

Adelong's economy no longer depends upon gold finds. Its chief industries are beef and dairy cattle, wool, fat lambs, orcharding, and the local cattle sale yards. It is mostly visited today out of historical interest. The main street from Campbell to Neil Streets has been classified for preservation by the National Trust. The Adelong Falls reserve which was established in 1971 covers 27 hectares, and includes the picturesque `Cascade Falls'. Offering picnicking and BBQ facilities, the walking tracks of the reserve lead to the sites of two early homesteads, 'Campsie' and 'Ferndale', as well as an area specially designated by the New South Wales government as a "Fossicking Area".


Overview

Adelong's small town on the banks of the picturesque Adelong Creek is largely visited today out of historical interest. Aside from the relics of Australia's Gold rush era, the disused gold batteries and mine-workings in and around the town, Adelong has a number of historical buildings which offer exceptional insight into pioneer life. A walk down Adelong's main street is a step back in time, the main street from Campbell to Neil Streets has been classified by the National Trust as a valuable heritage site while two of the early homesteads in the area, 'Campsie' and 'Ferndale', built by gold pioneers have been designated by the New South Wales government as a "Fossicking Area".

Adelong is the centre of a rich pastoral area for sheep and cattle, and as well as having a host of interesting little stores throughout the town, the activities at the local cattle sale yards make interesting viewing.

Natural Attractions

Adelong has a number of spectacular natural attractions. As well as its sweeping landscapes, orchards and farm areas, Adelong has several reserves and splendid walking tracks which offer magnificent views, picnicking and BBQ facilities and a range of native wildlife. The most notable reserve in the area is the Adelong Falls Reserve which features the beautiful 'Cascade Falls', the site covers over 27 hectares of magnificent bushland and is one of Adelong's most stunning natural features. Three Walks explore the Reserve, each a loop returning visitors to the start; Ferndale, a 40 minute walk crossing the creek to explore Sawyer's Gully Waterfall; Battery Walk, a 30 minute walk that features the wheel house and other relics of the Battery; and Campsie Lookout, a 15 minute walk that offers varied and extensive views of the Falls and the ruins.

Historical Attractions

The Reefer's Battery at Adelong Falls provides visitors with the rare opportunity to see Australia's gold mining era as it was. The ruins of the Battery have a permanent conservation order on them and are the best preserved gold working relics in the State. The Battery, originally designed, built and run by David Wilson and William Ritchie, operated between 1870 and 1910, and much of the machinery was of their own design. The Battery gained 93,575oz of gold and was described by mining inspectors as having been one of the best, if not the best in New South Wales.

Gold continues to be a key attraction in Adelong with many fossickers trying their luck in Adelong Creek, and visitors following the footsteps of the diggers by hiring a pan and trying to find some 'colour' at the Adelong Falls.

Heritage Buildings

Adelong has a number of historic buildings, many classified by the National Trust. The Adelong Post Office, Adelong Public School and Headmaster's residence, and the Adelong Court house, now the Police Station, are some of Adelong's interesting older buildings.

There are also a number of hotels that have significant historical value including the Royal hotel, the oldest of Adelong's existing hotels, the Hotel Adelong and the Gold Reef Motel, originally the Commercial Hotel.

Adelong also has a number of historical churches including St Paul's Anglican, the oldest parish in the Goulburn Diocese, St James Catholic Church and St Andrew's Presbyterian built in 1878. A number of private homes in the district also have great historical value, including some that were miners cottages, others former churches or local stores.

Parks and Gardens

Adelong has a number of recreational areas along the Creek and a selection of superb picnic locations. Memorial Park with its memorial to WWI veterans is beautifully shaded by elm trees, native trees and shrubs, having picnic tables and a playground area. Apex Park has a number of gracious trees and provides a delightful shady retreat off the main street. The picturesque Adelong Showground has beautiful elm trees that shade spectators watching ring events, a large pavilion, and is the venue for many shows - particularly equestrian events and agricultural shows

Arts

The Adelong Centre for Arts Crafts and Gardens incorporates the Goldfield Gallery, and provides a focal point for artists in the area. The Gallery, housed in an historic building, includes oil, watercolour and pastel canvases, as well as a range of tapestries, pottery and other art pieces. Garden Centre wares such as marble figurines and terracotta works are laid out in a magnificent ornamental garden surrounding the gallery.

Other Attractions

Aside from its beef and dairy cattle industry, wool has become a major growth industry in the area. One of Adelong's most interesting rural attractions is the Oasis Coloured Sheep Farm, which showcases Australia's largest display of coloured fleeces. Oasis is a working sheep station; visitors can watch some of Australia's famous sheep dogs at work, learn the interesting history of the sheep industry in Australia, particularly that of the area's unique coloured sheep, and see demonstrations of shearing, fleece grading, and spinning.

0 of a possible 0 points from 0 votes