Croote Cottage, one of the oldest buildings west of the Blue Mountains.

Gooloogong
Small friendly village near the Lachlan River
Gooloogong is a small village of 250 people near the Lachlan River on the Lachlan Valley Way, between Forbes (57 km north-west) and Cowra (34 km south-east). 358 km west of Sydney it has a friendly pub, a pleasant park with barbecue facilities and a variety of specialty shops.

A cattle station named 'Gool-a-gong' was established in the district in the 1820s by a Dr William Redfern, the personal physician to Governor Macquarie. The original village developed on the banks of the Lachlan. All that remains of that settlement is a headstone on the site of the original Anglican church. The village later moved to higher ground due to flooding.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The nearest information centre is at Cowra, tel: (02) 6342 4333.

Town Tour
As you enter the town from the south, on the Lachlan Valley Way, the Craft Shoppe is to the immediate right. Opposite are the hotel, the Paint Pot Gallery (open Friday to Sunday) and the Historical Society (open on the second and fourth Sundays of the month or by appointment - tel: 02 6344 8272). Memorial Park is a little further on, just past the Eugowra turnoff. Second Hand Ro's (open on Sundays only) is also on the main street.

Turn left into Stephen St. To the right are the remains of the original Catholic Church, the stone for which was handcut and ferried across the river by barge. Take the first right into Forbes St. To the left is St Malachy's, the new Catholic Church. Next, turn right into Bank St then take the first left into Cowra St. Continue over Stephen St and to the left is St Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

Turn right into King St. To the left is the town's public school, reputedly one of the first west of the Blue Mountains, being established in 1869 and still operating today. Opposite is St Paul's Anglican Church.

Turn left into Binda St. The first right leads to the Country Club and the second to Croote Cottage.

Croote Cottage
5 km along the Kangarooby Rd is Croote Cottage, a truly historic pioneer homestead of pise construction which was built by convicts c. 1827. The homestead was occupied by John Dowd and his wife from 1837 and it is still owned by their descendants.

It is believed, presumably on John Dowd's word, that bushranger Ben Hall raided the cottage at one point. Apparently he found Dowd ill in bed and offered money for a doctor but Dowd declined and urged Hall to mend his ways. The bushranger allegedly replied: 'Too late now old chap' and rode off. Another historic visitor was Australia's first Catholic bishop, John Polding, who said mass at the cottage for local Catholics.

The building originally had shutters instead of windows and a shingle roof. There are wooden plugs in the 20-cm walls. These fill holes which were made to shoot through in case of attack by Aborigines or marauders. This fear is also responsible for the trapdoor which leads to a subterranean excavation where women and children were to be hidden. Today the cottage has authentic period furnishings and can be viewed by appointment only and for a small charge, tel: (02) 6344 8381. Devonshire teas can be organised in advance for a small fee.

Lavender Farm
Nanami Lane Lavender Farm is located north of Gooloogong. To get there head along the road to Eugowra for 11 km and Nanami Lane runs off to the right.

The lavender gardens flower from November to February with some varieties flowering until winter. The plants are hand-harvested with a sickle and used for fresh flowers and potpourri. There are also rose gardens and the whole is situated in a pleasant bush setting. There are morning and afternoon teas and all manner of lavender products and plants for sale, as well as workshops on lavender growing.

They are open every day but Tuesday from November to May from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

	Hotels
	Gooloogong Hotel Main St Gooloogong NSW 2805 Telephone: (02) 6344 8327
	Restaurants
	Gooloogong Hotel Main St Gooloogong NSW 2805 Telephone: (02) 6344 8327