Sofala

The historic township of Sofala is an hour and a bit north of Bimlow and worth the drive. Australia’s oldest surviving gold mining town offers a charming step back in time - you may recognise the village’s streetscapes from the 1947 painting Sofala by the renowned Australian artist Russell Drysdale. You can take a historical walk through the streets and along the beautiful Turon River, where you can try your luck panning for gold.

 For a classic high country pub experience, you can’t go past the Royal Hotel. The Royal opened in 1851 and was one of many pubs that kept the thirsty gold miners quenched. These days, it’s the only pub standing on the main strip of the quaint village. There’s nothing fancy about this watering hole, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Expect frosty schooners, golden meat pies and an expansive gallery of nostalgic photos and old-world mementoes lining the walls.