About Tuena
Tuena is a small historic gold town in regional New South Wales. Today it’s a quiet village, but in the 1850s it was a busy
mining community filled with hopeful prospectors chasing gold and building a life in the valley.
Located on the edge of the Blue Mountains and the Southern Tablelands, Tuena is known for its natural beauty, especially in
spring and autumn when the surrounding hills and waterways really come alive.
Location
- About 85 km south of Bathurst
- Around 20 km from Abercrombie Caves
- About 287 km west of Sydney via Bathurst
- About 297 km from Sydney via Goulburn
Origin of the Name
The name Tuena is believed to come from the language of the local Burra Burra people and may mean “string of waterholes”,
reflecting the waterways that run through the area.
Things to See and Do
Explore the Town’s History
One of the best ways to experience Tuena is simply to walk through Bathurst Street and imagine what life was like when
thousands of miners lived and worked here.
Fossicking is still popular today, and gold panning equipment and local advice are available at Parsons General Store, which
has been serving the community since the 1800s and includes a small museum display.
You can also follow the town’s historic walking tour, which highlights many of Tuena’s heritage buildings including:
- Bookkeeper’s Cottage (1861)
- Goldfields Inn (1866)
- St Marks Anglican Church (1886)
- Tuena Public School (1889)
- St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church (1890)
- Suspension footbridge
- Police station (1900)
Swimming, Fishing and Exploring
The local rivers and waterholes are popular for swimming, fishing and canoeing. The area is known for trout fishing, and
Green’s Bluff, next to the recreation ground, is a favourite local swimming spot during summer.
Nearby Attractions
Abercrombie Caves (currently closed)
Located around 20 km from Tuena, Abercrombie Caves are one of the region’s most well-known natural attractions and well worth
visiting while you are in the area.
A Brief History of Tuena
Gold was discovered near Tuena in 1851. A well-known local story says a travelling reverend stopped to boil his billy at
Limestone Creek and found a gold nugget under a stone, sparking a rush of miners to the area.
By 1852, gold worth millions in today’s value had been extracted. Within a few years, the population grew to more than 500
people, and Tuena was officially declared a town in 1859.
Like many gold towns, Tuena’s population declined as the gold ran out. By 1869, fewer than 100 people remained. Today, Tuena
is a small but proud community with strong connections to its gold rush history.
Visitor Information
More local information is available from Parsons General Store on Bathurst Street.