"HISTORIC GOLD MINING TOWN" Bingara by balhannah

Bingara Travel Guide: 14 reviews and 54 photos

THIS IS BINGARA

A return visit for us to Bingara, a small town, located in a rather pretty area.

Bingara [est 1840], is an old gold and diamond-mining town, located in the Gwydir River Valley.

Gold was discovered in the area in 1851, with the prosperous Upper Bingera goldfields (30 km from the town) established the following year. A lot of the early Prospectors were Chinese.

Diamonds were found 11 km west of Bingara in 1873. By the 1890s the field was Australia's largest. The Star of the South (37 000 carats) was found here.

With lots of cypress-covered mountains, it is a popular spot with anglers and fossickers. We saw some nice free camping spots alongside the River.
Gold and sapphires are still found in the local Rivers & Creeks.

Horses at Bingara

Bingara is located on the Fossickers Way [ a tourist drive route] and is 562 km north of Sydney. 'Bingera' became 'Bingara' to avoid postal confusion with Bingera in Queensland.

The district produces fine Wool, Beef Cattle, Pigs, poultry, wheat, sorghum and timber, we passed by most of these on our way here.

The population grew over the years with the finding of Gold & Diamonds, peaking at over 1600 people in 1911, but by the end of the 19th century,
the mines had already begun to close, and the population began to fall.

Bridge at Bingara

Bingara holds an Orange Festival each year on the first weekend in August.

I went into the Information centre for a map of the Murals in town. A lovely, helpful woman told me where to find them, as they didn't have a map.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:Nice quiet town in a pretty setting.

Last visit to Bingara: Jun 2010
Intro Updated Jun 2, 2012
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Reviews (9)

Entrance to the private property - Bingara

Unusual sculptures! Favorites (1)

Just outside of Bingara, on Tourist Route 3, take a look at a person's home made sculptures/ ornaments they they have in... more travel advice

TOURIST ROUTE 3 - BINGARA TO INVERELL Things to Do (8)

Departing from Bingara on Tourist route 3, we followed the pretty Gwydir River for some of the way. I noticed there were... more travel advice

TOURIST ROUTE 3 - BINGARA to NARRABRI Things to Do (8)

This is a lovely scenic route to drive. Bingara is located in the centre of it. The route is mainly bitumen surfaced,... more travel advice

Lovely lace work on the Bingara Imperial Hotel - Bingara

BINGARA HOTEL Things to Do (8)

The Imperial Hotel is another oldie, being built in 1879. It is only one of two hotels that are still in business in... more travel advice

Comments (7)

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HORSCHECK Dec 17, 2012 at 1:33 PM

Lovely little page about this unknown gold mining town. The Art-Deco buildings look indeed interesting.
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  balhannah Dec 18, 2012 at 1:17 PM
  
  Thanks Holger. It's a real pretty area around here.
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LoriPori Jul 12, 2010 at 3:37 AM

The Murals remind me of the ones in a town close by to us - Essex. Nice that they have kept some of the old structures maintained and still looking lovely esp the Hotel with such great detailing.
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Yaqui Jun 29, 2010 at 5:02 AM

Something to be said about small towns. They have such charm and they are proud to maintain them. Lovely page!
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ranger49 Jun 29, 2010 at 1:39 AM

Another pretty little find with a Welsh connection -River Gwydir>Alan Cunningham>Gwydir Castle, Llanwrst, North Wales.Love the art deco buildings and the Roxy.
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uglyscot Jun 26, 2010 at 11:48 PM

Interesting little page. I liked the 'lace work' on the hotel.
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MD2nd Jun 26, 2010 at 8:09 AM

Great photo of Bingara Mural.
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Maryimelda Jun 25, 2010 at 6:37 PM

Love the Art Deco theatre. You certainly find all the interesting places, Dee. Thanks