GOLD! In 1872 men and women seeking riches streamed into Hill End a small hamlet in central New South Wales and lived a harsh boom and bust life for the next 3 years.

Every Australian town has a Royal Hotel and Hill End is no exception other than in Hill End the Royal Hotel is the only contunually used building in what remains of the structures built during the boom of 1872 -75.

The remaining structures have changed little since then and today Hill End is a National Park with a thriving artists community and a stady stream of the curious and lovers of early Australiana.

This series of photographs were taken over a three year period and document both the past glories and hardships of life in Hill End as well as the life of todays inhabitants.

Digby James.