Coffs Harbour Things to Do Tips by BerniShand

Georges gold mine is situated in the Orara gold field where gold was first found in 1881
the George of this mine was George Ellis who was involved in the gold mining of this area for many years, coincidentally the current owner is also called George, and he can remember George Ellis who died in 1948

Our guide for the visit was the current Georges son-in-law [ this is a real family business ] and he took us into the tunnel of the Bayfield gold mine on the property. At first it seems to be a very small mine, but when you consider that all the tunneling through solid rock was done by only one man it is an amazing achievement, sadly this mine yielded a very small amount of gold bearing ore, the rich seam that many believe is still here remains undiscovered to the present day

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Gold mining looks like hard work ! the seams of gold are in veins of quartz, holes had to be dug into the rock to enable the tunnel to be blasted with dynamite, if the miner couldnt afford dynamite the entire tunnel ad to be dug out with hammer and chisel, all this with no guarantee that a rich vein of gold would be found, add to that the fact that he was working in dark, damp conditions it makes one realise what a chronic sickness "gold fever" really is

in 1923 George Ellis sank a 65ft shaft, then tunneled out 40ft from the bottom of it, in one year he removed 8 tonne of rock from the mine which gave only 3 1/2 ounces of gold valued at just over A$26, thats only 50 cents per week before expenses

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Stamper Batteries crush the gold bearing rocks to release the gold, the powdery gold then sticks to mercury on copper plates, where it forms an amalgam with the mercury, this amalgam is then heated in a furnace, the mercury evaporates [ it is collected and reused ] leaving the gold behind, this is then poured into ingot moulds ready for weighing and selling

George Ellis owned two stamper batteries, so not only could he process his own ore, but that of other miners

one of the stampers is still in working order, and is demonstrated twice daily, it is extremely noisy, the other stamper laying nearby will be restored in the future

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the lookout point gives stunning views over the Orara valley, you cannot see Coffs Harbour as Mount Coramba hides it, but you an see South Solitary island in the sea, the villages o Glenreagh and Nana Glen, and on a clear day we are told you can see the television tower on Mount Moombil

the altitude is 2000 feet above sea level, you can see for miles and miles..........

there is a picnic area here with a barbeque

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this house was built in 1922, and was the home of George Ellis and his wife, it is filled with furniture and artefacts of the time, many donated by local people
it is amazingly small, not the sort of place you would imagine a prosperous gold miner to own, but perhaps George was too busy mining to extend

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Georges gold mine is open from 10am to 5 pm
it is closed Monday and Tuesday, except on public holidays and NSW Christmas and Easter school holiday times

tours of the Bayfield mine are at 10.30 12.30 1.30 and 2.30
the stamper battery is run at 11am and 3 pm

there are picnic areas and barbeques, and a small cafe

entrance fees are A$10 or adults and A$5 for children, family tickets are available

people who have limited mobility may find the Bayfield gold mine inaccessable, and when the creek is high access to it involes a walk along the track, otherwise you can drive to it from the entrance

transport to Georges Gold Mine can be arranged, telephone [02] 6654 5355, the gold mine is well signposted

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Address: Bushmans Range Road, Lowanna near Moleton
Directions: between Ulong and Coramba, it is 42k from Cofs Harbour

Originally a WW11 bunker this was restored and preserved and is now a cartoon gallery, this is an amazing gallery, not only is it housed in a fantastic setting but its probably the only place you hear chuckles, guffaws and outright hoots of laughter from visitors

there are historical cartoons, wartime cartoons, sporting cartoons and cartoons from the present day, and a wonderful collection of caricatures..........you are even invited to draw your own cartoon

there is a small selection of prints and greeting cards for sale, the Bunker is open daily from 10 till 4, admission is A$2 for adults and A$1 for children

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Phone: 02 6651 7343
Address: City Hill
Directions: Corner of Albany Street and Hogbin Drive

OK, so the Pet Porpoise Pool is very tacky, but its still a fun place to visit
it has two shows daily at 10.30 and 2.15, not only do you get to watch, but you can join in and walk the plank holding out a fish for the dolphin to leap and take from your hand, and after watching the tricks of the sea lion and seals you are rewarded with a very whiskery and fishy kiss from one of the seals. after the show you can go and pet the dolphins

also here are penguins, emus, pelicans, talking cockatoos wombat and a kangaroo
there is a large aquaruim with underwater viewing windows, in which are several inquisitive turtles

admission is A$18 and there are shows every day

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Phone: 02 6652 2164
Directions: jetty end of Orlando Street