Tuena was one of the quiet achievers of the NSW gold fields. Never really grabbing the headlines, but always there as a “safe pair of hands” where good gold was to be had and a settled community life enjoyed.

Gold was discovered here very early on in 1851 – much to the relief of Goulburn residents who were desperate for a goldfield of their own to ensure the region did not miss out on the associated population influx and service industries that developed around the goldfields.

After a steady decade in the 1850s where alluvial gold mining gradually expanded to include quartz reef operations, the 1860s put the gaze of public attention on the region as a result of the activities of the bushrangers.

In the wake of this turmoil, the new decade then brought renewed gold activity to the region with the opening up of the rich reef mining activities just to the north at Trunkey Creek.

Today you can explore all these heritage aspects on a back-country scenic drive between the major centres of Goulburn and Bathurst.

Below: The New Atlas of Australia, 1886: Reproduced courtesy National Library of Australia 1886. MAP RaA 30. Part 82.

This striking painting of the “City of Sydney Lease” at Tuena provides an invaluable comparison by which we can begin to appreciate the landscape of the region today.

It highlights for example, the extensive deforestation that occurred on any goldfield as timber was harvested for fuel and for building as well as to provide mine props.

This in turn highlights the outline of the country in a way that is often hard to appreciate today.

This is because this rugged country is not suited to intensive agriculture and as a result a lot of bush has regrown over the last century to close off many of the open views.

Fortunately there are still places where you can stop and appreciate the dramatic landscape vistas as so strikingly presented here.

Below: The City of Sydney G.M. Cos 5a lease, Tuena NSW. Reproduced courtesy State Library of Victoria. IMage H5346.