Fast facts
- Historic village that brings the goldmining era vividly alive
- Located on the Princes Highway surrounded by state forest
- 291 km south of Sydney, population 250
Why go there
Formerly a tumbledown goldmining village, Mogo has been given the kiss of life by the superb galleries, craft shops and cafes that have taken root there.
Old Mogo Town is a re-creation of the 19th century goldrush village, complete with mining equipment, historic shops and houses and a walk-through mine.
Dedicated to the preservation of endangered exotic species, Mogo Zoo houses red pandas, snow leopards, golden lion tamarins, otters, ring-tailed lemurs, Syrian brown bears, lions and Bengal tigers.
History
In 1857, the discovery of a single nugget sparked a goldrush in the area that saw the town grow to a population of 10,000 virtually overnight. When the boom was over, Mogo stalled but has been rescued by tourism in recent times thanks to its collection of historic buildings and new attractions.
Things to do
- Browse through the craft galleries along the main street.
- Pan for gold near the giant water-wheel at Old Mogo Town.
- Visit Mogo Zoo’s snow leopards and white lions at feeding time.
Don’t miss
- The walk-though mine at Old Mogo Town.
- Dinner show with toe-tapping music monthly at the Willow Cafe.
- The fine art and crafts by local Aboriginal artists at Dimbaloo Gallery.
- The Mogo Eucalypt Walk which winds through Mogo State Forest.
- The sublime beaches south of Batemans Bay.
