Mullion Creek: Waterfalls and Gold History

Mullion Creek is a small rural community about ten minutes from Orange. Two distinct themes are central to planning your trip: the landscape and birdlife of the Mullion Range, and the gold history of the Ophir region. In Mullion Creek itself, the hall offers a play area and other facilities.

Waterfalls, walking trails and birdlife

Nearby, The Falls is in the Mullion Range State Conservation Area. The waterfall has two cascades, and a lookout offers a lovely view. The Falls is a popular swimming spot, with a quiet swimming hole at its base. This natural attraction offers both scenic views and a place to swim.

Also nearby, close to Orange, is the moderately graded Historic Water Race walking track. Gold prospectors built it by hand in the 1860s. You can still see how water was diverted from Summer Hill Creek to the mining areas. The track offers opportunities for birdwatching and insights into the history of gold mining. The Mullion Range State Conservation Area is also suitable for walking.

The conservation area provides habitat for numerous woodland birds. These include native Eastern Rosellas and Crimson Rosellas, as well as owls; Superb Parrots also arrive in spring.

Gold history around Ophir

The Ophir and Mullion Creek region in the eastern part of Cabonne Shire is considered historically significant: Australia’s first commercially viable gold discovery was made here. The original mining site at Ophir once attracted more than 2,000 miners, but little remains of it.

More traces of gold history can be found at different locations across the region. The historic walking trails in Ophir Reserve pass old mines. Ophir Memorial Recreation Reserve includes a memorial, trees and monuments. Visitors can also explore disused gold mine shafts in the Ophir and Mullion Creek region. The historic trails, mining site and memorial offer different ways to learn about the history of gold mining.

Activities and practical planning

During the season, trout fishing is possible in Summer Hill Creek and Lewis Ponds Creek with a licence. There are also opportunities for bank fishing at Summer Hill Creek. At Brittle Jacks Chestnut Farm, 45 Lookout Road, Mullion Creek, you can pick your own chestnuts. Check directly with the farm in advance to find out whether and when pick-your-own is available in a given year.

At Fourth Crossing Picnic Area in the Ophir and Mullion Creek region, visitors can picnic or camp. Decide based on your travel plans whether you would like to picnic or camp here. This lets you take this option into account when planning your trip, without conflating it with the walking trails or historic sites.

Mullion Creek Hall has a large outdoor play area, a kitchen, toilets and barbecue facilities. Tennis courts are right next to the hall. If you plan to use the hall or any of its facilities, check current availability with the relevant administration. The nearby tennis courts are another feature of the town, whether you’re planning your stay around nature experiences, gold history or a seasonal activity.

Discover more destinations: Canobolas, Borenore.

For the broader travel overview: Cabonne Shire Council.