Nundle

Postcode: 2340

Nundle is a small town (2001 population: 257) in the New England region of northern New South Wales, Australia. It was formerly the centre of Nundle Shire Local Government Area, but most of this, including Nundle, was absorbed into Tamworth Regional Council in 2004.

Nundle is said to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning 'mouth'. Historically, it is located on the eastern boundary of the enormous Goonoo Goonoo grant made out to the Australian Agricultural Company in 1832 (see entry on Wallabadah). The company considered selling this portion of the grant after it was finally issued the deeds for the land in 1847 but the discovery of gold in 1851 at nearby Swamp Creek changed their minds. They formed and floated the Peel River Land and Mineral Company.

Soon prospectors from California, Jamaica, Europe and China were strewn along the Peel River and up the mountain slopes. By 1865 the population was around 500 with about 50 businesses in operation. Nundle was declared a town in 1885. The ruins of old mine workings and equipment lie scattered about the valley floor and up the mountainsides to this day. Traces of gold are still found, along with a variety of gemstones, and people continue to pan on the Peel River or fossick in the Hanging Rock area. With Peel River and Chaffey Dam nearby the area is also popular with anglers. The council chambers in Jenkins St have a pamphlet outlining fossicking and fishing sites in the district, as well as a scenic drive pamphlet.

There are camping grounds at both Swamp Creek and the Teamster's Rest, a caravan park in Jenkins St and, at the western end of Oakenville St (across the river), are a golf course and bowling club. The Nundle Rodeo is held in February.

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