Gulgong — the Ten Dollar Town with a million stories.
Step into one of Australia’s most distinctive heritage towns, where history isn’t tucked away in museums but written into every crooked street and character-filled building. Born of the Gold Rush, Gulgong NSW is defined by its narrow laneways — a striking contrast to the wide streets of neighbouring country towns and the reason this historic village often feels like a living film set (and occasionally, quite literally is).
Gulgong wears its past with pride. Many know it as the Ten Dollar Town, immortalised on Australia’s former $10 note, and its stories come alive as you wander heritage-listed streets, museums and galleries. Visit the UNESCO-listed Holtermann Collection of Photographs to see pioneering Australia captured in remarkable detail. Discover the literary legacy of Henry Lawson woven through the landscape. And in the heart of Mayne Street, step inside the oldest operating opera house in the Southern Hemisphere — where echoes of Dame Nellie Melba still seem to linger.
Look closely and you’ll spot symbols carved into the streets — traces of a secret travellers’ language from another era, waiting to be decoded. Boutique shops, eclectic stores and historic pubs turn exploring Gulgong into a treasure hunt of its own.
What truly sets Gulgong apart is its community. Locals greet each other in the street, smiles come easily, and the town’s generous spirit shines through its events, fundraisers and everyday hospitality. Jump in, strike up a conversation, and experience one of the most welcoming small towns in regional NSW.
