Fast facts
- Thunderbolt Country, named after the notorious bushranger, Captain Thunderbolt
- Set in hilly granite country on the Northern Tablelands; at its most striking in autumn when the trees change colour
- 475 km north of Sydney, population 2,300
Why go there
Uralla, with its wealth of historic buildings and rich local history, offers a fascinating insight into the gold rush days of the 1850s. The surrounding countryside is very pretty pastoral land known for its superfine wool and granite rocks.
History
The name Uralla is said to mean "ceremonial meeting place" in the language of the Anaiwan Aboriginal people who first occupied the area.
A tiny European settlement sprang up from what began as a shepherd's out-station on the banks of Rocky Creek in the 1840s. The town took off after gold was discovered at Rocky River in 1851. A gold rush followed and by 1856 the goldfields were the largest in northern NSW, with some 5,000 miners, including many Chinese, working onsite.
The bushranger Fred Ward, alias Captain Thunderbolt, was killed near here in 1870 after being shot and then struck on the head by a policeman’s gun butt. Thunderbolt was regarded by some as a Robin Hood figure, and was also known as the "gentleman bushranger" due to his reported politeness.
Things to do
- Visit Thunderbolt's Grave, which is clearly marked and located on the eastern side of the cemetery.
- Try your luck at searching for gold at the Uralla Fossicking Area.
- Stretch your legs on the Uralla Heritage Walk, which takes in some 30 historic buildings from the late 1800s.
Events
- The Thunderbolt Country Fair is held in November.
Don’t miss
- McCrossins Mill Museum documents a rich local history.
- The plaque dedicated to Constable Walker who killed Captain Thunderbolt.
- Hassets Military Museum for military vehicles and wartime memorabilia.
- Browsing through Uralla’s antique shops and art galleries.
- The Aboriginal rock art site at Mount Yarrowyck Nature Reserve.
