From Goldfields to Fairytales: Exploring Uralla

Welcome to the charming town of Uralla! Take your time, look around, and keep your eyes open – there are plenty of surprises waiting to be discovered in its streets and alleyways! While you're here, be careful of the traffic – you'll want to leave with stories, not scrapes!

You won't find any grand mansions here; those were built outside of town by squatters who began settling the Tablelands in the 1830s. What you will find are buildings shaped from the land itself: bricks made from clay taken from the creek bank, nearby basalt and granite, cedar doors and windows brought in by bullock dray from Maitland, and delicate iron lacework from the local foundry.

Uralla’s story began humbly in the 1840s with just a few bark huts clustered near the creek and the main road. Then came the gold rush at Rocky River in 1852, which drew thousands of gold miners, including many from China. By 1855, the township had been officially surveyed and the main road had shifted to Bridge Street. The arrival of the railway in 1882 was a momentous occasion for Uralla's 380 residents.

Over the years, timber weatherboards were replaced by brick, and the motor car made the nearby town of Armidale more accessible. Uralla's population remained stable for decades, resulting in few new buildings and many old ones that were preserved through time and neglect. By the 1970s, newcomers began to appreciate the charm of this collection of heritage buildings, and today the whole community treasures them.

As you wander around, you might even spot something unexpected: during the years of the COVID pandemic, a few fairies moved in and left behind whimsical little houses for you to discover.

So, take a deep breath, slow your pace and enjoy the town's blend of history, character and quiet magic. Let's begin.