Originally an army camp, the current Bathurst Goldfields site was named Karringal Village.

In 1964, 30 acres of land was donated by Mrs McPhillamy to the Church of England Bathurst Diocese and Bathurst City Council. The site was used as a fitness camp and then as a diocese conference centre under the first director, Reverend Aubrey Reeder.

In 1965 Mr Bill Corkery was appointed director of the diocese conference centre. During his time as director, Mr Corkery conceived, designed and built the Bathurst Gold Diggings Museum. The Bathurst Gold Diggings Museum was officially opened on 29th April 1973 by the Hon. T.L. Lewis MLA, Minister for Lands and Tourism.

In 1997, the Bathurst Goldfields, as we know them now, was born.

The Bathurst Goldfields has been welcoming school, sporting and community groups, conference and events holders, the general public and visitors for many years through offering gold tours, gold panning and ‘life in the goldfields’ recreation activities; as well as hosting conferences, weddings, events (including Australia day celebrations) and welcoming sporting groups, community groups & schools in lodge style accommodation for a variety of camps and much more.

2005 will see the introduction of a new ‘Convict Colony – the first settlement of New South Wales’ program, as an extension of the school programs currently offered. General public and school holiday tours are also being promoted in 2005.

We are committed to providing all visitors with ‘a golden experience’.

Come, play and stay!