The Central Hotel

Eugowra
Interesting small township on Central Western Slopes.
Eugowra is a sleepy little town of some 670 people adjacent Mandagery Creek in the Lachlan River Basin. It is situated 271 metres above sea-level, 348 km west of Sydney and 39 km west of Forbes. Granite from the low-lying hills around the town was used in the construction of Parliament House.

The area was occupied by the Wiradjuri people before white settlement. The first European in the area was Surveyor Evans who came within 10 km of Eugowra in 1815. Two years later John Oxley's party passed through the area while engaged on one of the first inland expeditions. 'Eugowra' station was established in 1834. The name is said to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning 'the place where the sand washes down from the hills'. Sheep, wheat and lucerne were established on the property in later years.

The village developed in the 1860s on the old station, around a bridge over Mandagery Creek which formed part of the route to the Lachlan goldfields. There were 24 recorded residents in 1866.

A road across wheatfields near Eugowra

The John Bull Inn was built to serve the through-traffic in the 1860s. It was replaced by the present-day Fat Lamb Hotel. A bridge was erected over Mandagery Creek in 1869, thereby increasing the road traffic and contributing to local development. The town was laid out in 1881 with a courthouse, police station and school being built.

The Robertson Land Act eventually broke up the large squatting runs and closer settlement ensued.

The most famous incident in local history was the occasion in 1862 when Frank Gardiner's bushranging gang, then including the infamous Ben Hall, undertook Australia's largest gold robbery at Eugowra Rocks. Commandeering two bullock teams they blocked the road and made the drivers lie on the road, feigning drunkenness. When the gold escort arrived, the gang sprayed the coach with a hail of gunfire, wounding two of the troopers who all fled the scene while the gang made off with the booty - 77 kg of gold and £3700 in cash.

Hall was caught and held charged but he was released when a captured gang member refused to name Hall as one of the participants in the robbery.

The Eugowra show is held in September.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information/Nangar Gems
The local tourist information outlet is Nangar Gems where sapphires, emeralds, opals, garnets and other gemstones are cut, set and sold. They are open seven days a week from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.at 2 Forbes Rd, tel: (02) 6859 2229. There are also minerals, crystals, home-made bracelets, gifts and souvenirs for sale.

Other Shops
Lavender and Lace Craft Cottage are open Wednesday to Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and on weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. They are located at 59 Broad St, tel: (02) 6859 2330. Somerset Lane Clothing is in Nanima St (tel: 02 6859 2231) and Enterprise Gardening Accessories are just out of town on the Orange Rd, opposite the golf club, tel: (02) 6859 2273.

Museum
There is a privately owned local history museum which has gemstones, Aboriginal artefacts, farm equipment, wagons and other items. There are no set hours so ring first, tel: (02) 6859 2214.

Escort Rock outside Eugowra

Escort Rock
3 km east of Eugowra, along the road to Orange, is Escort Rock where there are barbecue, picnic and toilet facilities. An information plaque indicates the site of the rock where Frank Gardiner's bushranging gang, which included Ben Hall, undertook Australia's largest gold robbery in 1862. Commandeering two bullock teams they blocked the road and made the drivers lie on the road, feigning drunkenness. When the gold escort arrived, they sprayed the troopers and driver with a hail of gunfire, wounding one. All defendants fled while the gang made off with the booty - 77 kg of gold and 3700 pounds in cash.

Nangar National Park
Nangar National Park (4059 ha) has strong historic associations with the Wiradjuri peoples. It is a rugged natural habitat with a wide range of fauna and flora, best known for its dramatic escarpments and excellent views. The focal point of the park is Mt Nangar (760 m). Vehicular access is only by 4WD and the route is largely unsignposted. Head east of Eugowra on the Orange Rd for 25 km then turn right at Longs Corner on to the Canowindra Rd. Turn right again after 9.5 km on to Mogong Creek Rd.

The bushwalking prospects are excellent but there are no facilities, so take food and water and notify someone of your schedule. For further information ring (02) 6332 9488.

	Hotels
	Central Hotel Pye St Eugowra NSW 2806 Telephone: (02) 6859 2300
	Fat Lamb Hotel Broad St Eugowra NSW 2806 Telephone: (02) 6859 2253
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Greylands Orange Rd Eugowra NSW 2806 Telephone: (02) 6859 5223