Australia So Much to See

The gold fields could be a dangerous place. Mining had its hazards and even domestic life could be lethal. Two of the possible burials in this cemetery are children aged from two to seven who were burnt to death. One of the graves is of a twenty year old man who drowned. Burns, exposure, exhaustion and even murder took their toll of others.

One of the four identifiable graves in this cemetery is that of Charles Corse, who died of a gunshot wound in 1972. Corse was a blacksmith and a champion wrestler, with a reputation of being drunk and quarrelsome. For some weeks, Corse had argued with Richard Spencer, the Manager of the Ophir Mining Company, over the ownership of a saddle.

To the

Memory of

William Lawson

Died December 30th 1870

Aged 36 years

The Lord gave - he took

He will restore

He doeth all things well

In Memory of

Samuel

Second son of John and Sarah McConnell

Who was accidentally drowned in the Macquarie River

September 23rd 1890

Aged 20 years

A dutiful son an affectionate brother

and a never to be forgotten friend

In the midst of life we are in death

So parents dear grieve not for me

Nor yet be always sad

The fewer years I lived on earth

The fewer faults I had

Sacred

To the memory of

Charles Corse

Aged forty five years

Who died at Ophir

August 18 1872

Through a gun shot wound

And in his anger he slew him

But the Lord visited him with

A sore affliction for the same

Walk #2 commences on the northern side of the causeway, to the Ophir Monument, then goes through where the part of the former townsite stood, following Lewis Ponds Creek, past the site of Newtown at Tinkers Point, before heading up to the earthen water races then back to the start. A little to the north of this, the historic cemetery is accessed by road, signed at turn-off. There are other historic sites in this area, old mines, as well as currently worked mines.

There are numerous other walks and four wheel drive tracks that can be explored. Fishing is permitted in the creeks.

See our review of Molong Caravan Park, which I scored at ten out ten. Well done community and caretakers. A pleasure to stay there.

Molong is a welcoming small town, where the friendly locals are happy to chat.

Resources

Signage on site

Wikipedia - Ophir

Aussie Towns - Ophir

Mullion Range State Conservation Area

Next: Our tour of New South Wales continues to Eugowra, Parkes, Condobolin, then to Weethalle to see the recently painted silos.

Where to stay?

Other caravan and camping options in the Orange area:

Subsequent to our visit, the Molong Showground was opened for casual camping.

Gamboola Rest Area thirteen kilometres south east of Molong on the Mitchell Highway is a possible as an overnight stop. Pit toilets, and the roomy rest area swings around seventy to eighty metres from the highway.

Federal Falls Campground, Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area, Pit toilets, free barbecues and picnic table. No bookings and no fees. Ten walk-in tent sites. No pets.

Orange has two caravan parks, plus free 24 hour camping for self contained at the Orange Showgrounds.

Adjacent to the showground is the Colour City Caravan Park, and on the southern side of the town the Canobolas Caravan Park.

Ophir Reserve Campground, suitable for tents and camper trailers, flushing toilets. Fees $10 per site honesty box. No bookings. Pets permitted.

Mullion Range, Fourth Crossing, tent camping at Water Race Walk. Toilets. Free.

Macquarie Woods Forestry Reserve, thirty kilometres south east of Orange, has free camping and picnic area around two kilometres away from the highway. Pit toilets.

One afternoon Corse left Spencer's house in a rage, to return later in the day. Spencer was by this time armed with a shotgun borrowed from McConnell, and ordered Corse to leave. Spencer fired, hitting Corse in the back of the head. Corse died a week later from the injury, with 10^th of August being believed to be the date, not 18^th as it now appears on his gravestone.

Spencer was arrested and tried for manslaughter. Found guilty, he served eighteen months in Bathurst Gaol. On his release he returned to Ophir and prospered.

We stayed at Molong Caravan Park, community run and very well presented.

We returned to Molong via the small town of Mullion Creek. A number of newer houses are due to the proximity to Orange, twenty kilometres, so easy commuting for those working in Orange. Molong thirty kilometres away via the back roads.

Close by, the Mullion Range State Conservation Area is another site where there was a gold mining boom from 1860 to 1920. Visit the disused mines and wander along to the track and imagine how they built these by hand to transport water from the creek to mining areas.

Walks in this park include the Historic Water Race walking track and the Falls Water Falls, near Summer Hill Creek in Mullion Range.

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