While Lucknow’s true golden era is probably behind it now, this fascinating NSW village still looks to have a very bright future … and grey nomads are very much a part of that.
Located on the Mitchell Highway between Bathurst and Orange, Lucknow has a population of around 300 … but it’s punching way above its weight when it comes to tourist attractions. At the centre of it all is the story of mining in the area.
The Lucknow goldfield, one of the richest gold deposits in New South Wales yielding an estimated 18,000 kilograms of the precious metal, was discovered in 1851.
It was located on land initially owned by William Charles Wentworth … the same Wentworth who joined Lawson and Blaxland on the first crossing of the Blue Mountains in 1813.
The Wentworth Mine was in operation from the 1890s to the 1950s and is currently being developed as a heritage tourism facility. PIC: Orange City Council
Grey nomads driving into town will quickly see that distinctive ‘poppet head’ mining machinery is still very much in evidence, and there are many other signs of Lucknow’s rich and exciting heritage all around.
The Wentworth Main Mine, which was in operation from the 1890s-1950s, was bought by Orange City Council back in 2000, and is being developed into a heritage tourism and educational facility.
The restored mine is currently open to visitors on the first weekend of each month from 10am-2.30pm. It is free to enter and many of the miners’ cottages and outbuildings are still standing … and there is a lot of information on offer about the site.
The town of Spring HiIl is only a short drive away and offers a few more options for camping and refreshments. PIC: Orange City Council
Another great way to get to grips with the history of the area is to take the Lucknow Heritage Trail and stroll along taking in the town’s historic buildings and sites. Highlights include The Reform Mine; the old schoolhouse; the School of Arts; the former residence of mine owner and entrepreneur, Henry Newman; and St John’s Anglican Church.
But Lucknow is not all about mining.
The Goldfields Tavern now boasts its own distillery, where visitors can taste Jones & Smith gins and whiskey.
And there’s also the Lucknow Skin Shop & Boot Barn where customers are warned to ‘expect the unexpected’. There are cowhides hanging outside the store and inside is a huge range of boots, sheepskin products, and much more. A great place for a coffee is Larder & Home, which doubles as a café and also sells fashion and homewares.
Camping wise, there’s a free camping area at Macquarie Woods, off Cashens Lane, a short drive west; and campers and caravans are welcome at the Spring Hill Recreation Ground, which is in the village of Spring Hill about five minutes’ drive south.
And the city of Orange, which is just a 10-minute drive west, boasts two caravan parks.
Lucknow is located in a wonderful part of the world. The delightfully quaint township of Millthorpe is 10 minutes south; the Huntley Berry Farm where visitors can pick their own berries from November to May is also on the doorstep; as are some great wineries including Patina Wines, a unique cellar door located on a hectare of beautiful gardens.
There is still some debate about how Lucknow actually came to acquire its unusual name. There are no known links with the huge Indian city of Lucknow. Most people prefer to think it was probably something to do with gold miners just wishing for ‘Luck Now’.
And that sounds just about right to most visiting grey nomads!
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