Rockley - NSW — Nadine Travels West

Rockley is located 232 km west of Sydney and 35 km (30 minute drive) south of Bathurst on the Rockley Road. Rockley is a beautiful small historic country town with a pub, churches, old fashioned stores, heritage houses and a magnificent old red brick mill. In the main part of town there is a park situated beside Pepper's Creek across from Rockley pub called Stevens Park. Stevens Park feels like you are in an English Village Green with an extensive range of exotic trees, a BBQ area, playground, war memorial and the creek has been dammed by a weir that has large sandstone steps so you can walk out across the weir when the water is low enough.

On 21 February, 1829 Governor Darling granted 1,920 acres (777 ha) in the area to Captain Watson Augustus Steel who named his property 'Rockley' after his birthplace in Wiltshire, England. Rockley is one of the oldest European settlements west of the Blue Mountains and has been declared as a National Trust Historic Village, Rockley is home to over two dozen heritage buildings and beautiful parklands.

Recently it has been developing a fresh reputation for its outstanding events like the Rockley garden and art festival, Rockley Rodeo, one of the locations for the 2022 Autumn Colours Tours and the Rockley Artisans Market just to name a few, as well as the redevelopment and reopening of The Rockley Pub by acclaimed chef Matt Moran.

Rockley Mill & Stables Museum

Stanger’s Flour Mill

The Rockley Mill and Stables Museum once known as Stanger’s Flour Mill was built in 1862 and displays the rich history of the area, with old mill machinery, period clothing on display, old police records and more.

The three story building is a highlight of the drive along the main street of Rockley, directly across from Stevens Park. The mill was once powered by a steam engine but the chimney was demolished in 1926.

Rockley was home to Henry Budden (CBE), Sulman Award winning architect responsible for developing large parts of Hunters Hill during the Federation Arts and Crafts style and Art Deco period of the early 20th century. The Mill was owned and operated by his mother’s family, the Stangers.

The Stables, Coachhouse & Buddens

The Stables and Coachhouse was built in 1874 to accommodate the coaches from Burraga to Bathurst. The round marble garden pavilion located at top of the block was built about 1858.

Buddens this site was first occupied about c1858 by Mr. Arthur Budden who built a timber slab building as General Store. In 1872 he demolished part of the single story building and built this two storey brick residence as a General Store and residence, which included a branch of the AJS Bank. In 1882 the Bank bought the building from Mr. Budden, to be operated solely as a bank with Budden as the first Bank Manager. Now Buddens B&B and Rockley Bank Tearooms.

Arthur Gentle General Merchant

W.H. Stevens’ General Store later, Gentle’s General Store, built in the early 1900s.

Stevens’ Park & Weir

Stevens’ Park & Weir 1932 was instigated by Mr Stevens, owner of the general store. During the depression the construction of the weir provided relief work for many men. Stevens laid water from the creek to the park and planted the trees. The park is named after him.

Pioneer Memorial Wall, Clock &

War Memorial

Pioneer Memorial Wall, Clock & War Memorial The Memorial Wall was erected by the Rockley Lions Club and officially dedicated on 7April 1996. The clock, originally in the Abercrombie Shire Council Chambers, is in memory of Lieut-Colonel McIntosh, Shire President from 1906-1915.

Braeside

Braeside was built in 1865, This home was an important part of the Rockley streetscape, was burnt down in the 2000s and is awaiting restoration.

Cullen’s General Store

Former Cullen’s General Store and separate bakery 1934.

School of Arts Hall

The School of Arts Hall was built in 1890, the first architectural commission of John Job Copeman of Bathurst. The front porch was added in the 1950s with a hut placed above this to facilitate the screening of films by the ‘Travelling Picture Show Man’.

As always please leave a comment below if I have any information incorrect so I can amend it or if there are any key factors I have missed that I should add to this blog post.

Nadine Travels West.