New South Wales (Western NSW)
Sofala
Nestling in the lovely hills of the Turon River valley is Sofala, the oldest gold town in Australia. Gold was found in the river here in 1851, just three weeks after the very first gold strikes in Ophir. Sofala swelled to a peak population 40 000. Today it has contracted to a rustic village of around 100 people. The narrow, winding main street still follows the course of the river. 

A good spot for a drink is the Sofala Royal Hotel, a classic wooden pub with a big balcony; they also offer meals, and rooms with a period flavour. There’s basic tent space at the Village Camping Area on Clarke Street.

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The surrounding district is primarily superfine wool farms. Each farm has many relics and remnants of the goldrush. One such farm, turned tourist property, is Chesleigh Homestead, boasting 7km of the original Cobb & Co coach road to Hill End, O'Reilly's extensive underground mines, Chinamans creek alluvial diggings, water races, old shanty huts & a wealth of unspoiled history to explore.