Departing Orange or Bathurst, Simmo's Offroad Tours offer full day Scenic 4WD Tours across the Central West, showcasing some truly rugged, breathtaking landscapes and locations of historical significance.       



SCENIC 4WD TRIP TO HILL END

This is a truly beautiful, memorable 4WD experience.  You'll be amazed at what a 4WD vehicle can do, how beautiful the Australian Bush really is, and just how exciting and interesting our rich history is.   Travelling to Hill End is like stepping back in time - to the days of the Gold rush when thousands of people lived and toiled in the goldfields in search of a better life...

Hill End is a proclaimed Historic Site managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales.  Much of the town's history has been preserved - so come and discover it with me for the day...  

From Orange, or Bathurst, we make our way along medium grade, sometimes challenging, but picturesque 4WD tracks, crossing the Macquarie River, eventually reaching the historical goldmining town of Hill End.  Explore the remnants of the early goldmines, dwellings and cemetery, visit the Information Centre and museum, General Store, or perhaps have lunch at the Royal Hotel, Rose Cottage or Hill End Lodge.

We can visit a working underground mine and museum at the renowned History Hill, or we can try our own luck, panning for gold in Tambaroora Creek with my own lucky gold pans.

A freshly brewed bush coffee or tea, cool drinks and light refreshments are included.  Hill End also offers some lovely venues for lunch, including the Royal Hotel, (established 1872), Hill End Lodge, and Rose Cottage.  

I am only too happy to work in with you so please Contact Me for any inquiries.  Pick up and drop off from your B&B or motel in Orange or Bathurst. 


Cost:  Adults $150  
          Children (under 18) $100  
          Family (2 Adults and 2 kids) $400   

Includes morning and afternoon tea, cool drinks          

(minimum 2 adults, maximum 4 people)








                                                     

                                                                      
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SCENIC 4WD TOUR OF OPHIR - AUSTRALIA's FIRST GOLD FIELD

Australia's very first payble gold was discovered by Sir Edward Hammond Hargraves at Ophir (approximately 30km North of Orange) in 1851, and by the peak of the resulting gold rush thousands of people had migrated across the blue mountains in search of their fortune and a better way of life.

These days, Ophir may appear simply as a nice place for a picnic; a pretty pebbled stream, modern barbecue facilities and plenty of native wildlife to photograph.  But Ophir has an interesting story to tell, and if you know where to look there is ample evidence of the gold rush days scattered about the bush.

Spend a day at Ophir - Australia's very first gold field, with me as your personal driver and guide and discover what life was like when gold fever swept across the New South Wales colony...





This is a full day, all inclusive tour, departing from your Orange motel or B&B at 9am, and returning approximately 5pm.

We explore some lovely (sometimes challenging!) 4WD and walking tracks within the Ophir gold fields, visiting some picturesque waterfalls, and stunning lookouts across the rugged natural landscape.  I guide you to the sites of old stone colonial dwellings, abandoned mine shafts and elaborate tunnels - explaining how they were constructed and their historical significance.   We also visit the old Ophir cemetery and learn how some of the more unfortunate gold pioneers met their fate.

We can try our own luck, panning for alluvial gold in Summer Hill Creek, or we can visit an underground gold reef mine which still operates today.

Somewhere along the trail lunch is prepared for you, showcasing food and wine from the Orange region.  Bush coffee, billy tea and cool drinks are also included.

If you keep your eye out we should kangaroos, wallabies, platypus, echidna, goannas, shingle back lizards and even the odd snake or two!  There are also many unmarked mine shafts, uneven and unstable ground, loose rocks and other natural hazards, so care needs to be taken.  Children need to be supervised at all times.  Long pants and sensible walking shoes are advised and guests need to be reasonably fit.

Water and sunscreen is provided for you, but please remember to bring a hat, and of course your camera.

Please Contact Me for further details.



Cost:  Adults $150  
          Children (under 18) $100  
          Family (2 Adults and 2 kids) $400   
          
includes a cooked lunch, coffee, tea and cool drinks

(minimum 2 adults, maximum 4 people)