History of Sofala

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Sofala is Australia's Oldest Surviving Gold Town, located 40mins from Bathurst. Sofala saw the beginnings of the gold rush in May 1851. The main street stretched for 16kms and the population numbered in the tens of thousands. The main part of the town remains, however, in 1851 it had more than 40 licensed hotels, with The Gas hotel still standing today.  Sofala also had Blacksmith's Cottage, which is now known as Cafe Sofala, as well as the general store, a court of Petty Sessions, District Court, Police Camp, Gold Commissioner's Camp, 3 churches with a Cemetry each, and a hospital. There were two denominational and two private schools. You could also find a savings bank and the Australian Mutual Provident Society. 

The Turon River is located by the town of Sofala, which is where fortunes in gold were made. Still to this day, many mining enthusiasts, come down to the Turon River to try their luck, with some still finding small treasures during their gold panning adventures.

From Cobb & Co Heritage Trail Bathurst to Bourke by Diane de St. Hilaire Simmonds