Sofala is 45 kilometres north of Bathurst and ‘Australia’s oldest surviving Gold Town’. The village was established in 1851 when gold was discovered on the Turon River. In the early days the township followed the Turon River for over 16 kilometres and the population numbered tens of thousands. Over fifty hotels and other businesses catered for the gold seekers at this time.
Today Sofala encapsulates the picturesque historic village of the gold rush days. The unique narrow streets of the village are flanked by beautiful old two storey brick buildings. Visitors are offered accommodation, campground, cafes, general store, walks and tours.
A trip to Sofala would not be complete without trying your hand at gold fossicking in the Turon River.