Gold Exploration had begun in the Hill End NSW area by 1852. The gold rush created a massive population increase from within the colonies and from overseas creating wealth and prosperity. At the height of the gold mining boom in 1872 Hill End boasted 13 hotels, 2.5kms of shop frontages, 6 churches, 4 schools, a brewery and brickworks to name just a few.

The township of Hill End was declared an Historic Site by the NSW Government in 1967 and the entire town brought under the management of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NP & WS).

Hill End is unique in NSW as a gold rush town which has survived and is possibly the closest one could come to re-living the gold rush era.