Hillgrove 

Hillgrove is an old gold mining town on the brink of Hillgrove Gorge on the Waterfall Scenic Drive.

In the late 1880s the recorded population of Hillgrove was 2274. When gold prices fell the mines were eventually forced to closed in 1921. The majority of the buildings were dismantled and removed to Armidale, leaving little in the way of physical history. Today the population sits just under 100 people.

There are just a few things to do in the town, The Rural Life and Industry Museum contains relics and photographs and the New England Antimony Mines are open for visits. Wednesday is the best to tour as gold is poured on that day. Across the river, the tiny town of Metz - originally known as West Hillgrove - is now private property. There are just two buildings remaining. Visitors are welcome but are requested not to climb over fences or open gates without permission. The Metz Lookout over looks some of the abandoned relics of the old Bakers Creek Mine at the bottom of the gorge.

Hillgrove is also the base for Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and several good walking tracks. The Metz and Bakers Creek Falls are well worth the detour, the Baker Creek Fall has a lookout.

There is no accommodation or facilities in the town, people seeking these should head to Armidale.