Peak Hill Open Cut Experience

Located on the Newell Highway between Parkes and Dubbo, Peak Hill is an ideal spot to stop and break your trip while exploring the Central West of New South Wales. Among its attractions, the Peak Hill Open Cut Experience offers visitors an opportunity to view an old gold mine and learn about open cut mining.

The Discovery of Gold

Gold was first discovered at Peak Hill in 1889. Prospectors, encouraged by earlier finds across New South Wales, rushed to the area and within months, the settlement transformed into a busy mining town. Tents, timber houses, and makeshift stores sprang up, while mining leases spread across the nearby hills. The early miners used simple tools, relying on picks, and shovels.

As mining expanded, so too did the town’s reputation. By the early 1900s, Peak Hill was recognised as one of the important gold-producing regions in the state. Although production fluctuated with market prices and the depth of the ore, mining activity remained strong for several decades. The first major phase of gold extraction eventually ended in the 1910s as the easily accessible ore was exhausted. However, technological advances revived interest in the site, leading to the development of the open cut mine that exists today.

Modern Mining and Transformation

In the 1990s, Peak Hill entered a new era of gold production. Alkane Resources Limited began open cut mining operations in 1996, using modern machinery to extract gold that earlier miners had been unable to reach. Over the next six years, more than 150,000 ounces of gold were produced. Unlike the underground tunnels of the past, open cut mining created terraced pits where rock was blasted and ore processed with modern extraction techniques.

The mine operated until 2002, when economic conditions and reduced ore yields led to its closure. Rather than letting the site fall into neglect, the company and the local council worked together to transform it into a public attraction. Rehabilitation stabilised the land, native vegetation was replanted, and safe walking tracks developed. The result was the Peak Hill Open Cut Experience which combines industrial history and environmental renewal.

Today, the site demonstrates how former mines can evolve into valuable educational and recreational spaces. Visitors can explore five separate open cuts, each representing a different phase of extraction. From the lookouts, views reveal the depth and scale of the mining. Native flora and birdlife are gradually reclaiming the area, as the regeneration processes take hold.

Exploring the Site

The walking trail through the Peak Hill Open Cut Experience stretches over several interconnected pathways, allowing visitors to see into the mines. Each section provides interpretive panels that explain the site’s history, techniques, and natural recovery. The walk is free of charge and open year-round, making it one of the region’s best attractions.

Moving along the paths, you encounter lookout points that reveal the sheer size of the excavations. The largest pit drops more than 60 metres below ground level, with terraced benches lining the walls. The colours within the rock range from deep ochre to soft grey, reflecting centuries of mineral processes. Along the trails, benches and rest areas allow you to take a break from walking.

Importantly, the experience does not only focus on mining technology. It also highlights the environmental management and rehabilitation efforts that followed. Through interpretive signage, you learn how soil stabilisation, drainage control, and replanting of native species have helped the landscape recover.

Environmental Regeneration

One of the most striking aspects of the site today is the return of native vegetation. Rehabilitation programs have successfully encouraged the growth of acacia, eucalyptus, and saltbush species. These plants stabilise the soil and provide habitat for small birds and reptiles. Seasonal rains now fill some of the smaller pits, attracting frogs and insects, which in turn draw insect-eating birds. Over time, nature has begun to integrate the former mine into the surrounding landscape.

Environmental scientists continue to monitor the area to ensure the ecosystem remains stable. Their research demonstrates how mined land can be responsibly managed after extraction ends. The success of Peak Hill’s regeneration has even influenced similar projects across rural Australia.

Visiting Peak Hill Today

Reaching Peak Hill is straightforward for travellers along the Newell Highway. The Open Cut Experience sits only a few minutes from the town centre, with clear signage leading to the entrance and car park. The walk is self-guided, although local visitor centres provide maps and background material. Because the terrain includes both gravel and compacted paths, sturdy footwear is recommended. An information board at the entrance shows a map of the area. If you don’t have a map, take a photo and use it to help guide you around the mine.