Where is Sandy Hollow?
The NSW village of Sandy Hollow is on the Golden Highway, 40km west of Muswellbrook, and 283km north-west of Sydney.
When explorer Allan Cunningham passed through the Upper Hunter Valley, NSW, in 1825, he found an idyllic location in which to take a break from his arduous journey. Successive travellers, in search of paradise in an unfamiliar land, passed along a similar route and frequently camped near the junction of the Goulburn River and Halls Creek.
And it was there, many years ago, that the village of Sandy Hollow dawdled into existence.
Visiting Sandy Hollow
Today, Sandy Hollow, which is 40km west of Muswellbrook, is a quiet spot where there’s as much activity as you’d find at a swimwear shop in a nudist colony – but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. There’s a post office, a service station, and the Tourist Hotel, which is a popular watering hole, but the town’s star attraction is the modern cafe and art gallery. Here, you can tuck into good food on the shaded patio with views of the Bylong Valley and the surrounding ranges, or dine in the cafe that’s crammed with colourful and unusual works of art.
If bushwalking is your cup of tea, you can wander up to the summit of the Giant’s Leap, a forested hill that towers above the village. You can try your luck at fishing in the nearby Goulburn River and, if you’ve got time to spare, you can head a little further afield on a self-drive tour that, in around 150km, will reveal the best that the region has to offer.
The meandering route winds past horse studs, wineries, and farmlands, to the settlement of Baerami where the focus of interest is the historic remains of the oil shale mining industry, and through the spectacular Wollemi and Goulburn River national parks where the landscape is dominated by dark forests and rugged sandstone cliffs.
Life seems to dawdle by in slow motion at Sandy Hollow, and if you’re hoping to escape from the rat race of a modern day existence, this dozing village could be the peaceful retreat that you’re looking for.
Sandy Hollow Tourist Park
Sandy Hollow Tourist Park, a Top Tourist Park, is located at number 1618 on the highway that, at Sandy Hollow, is known as the Merriwa Road.
With colourful floral gardens, a large swimming pool, and attractive motel units at its entrance, this inviting park, which is on the Golden Highway, is hard to miss.
All sites are on grass and, though there are no drive-through sites, there is ample room for large rigs. Pets are permitted but must be kept on a leash at all times.
There is a children’s playground, a trampoline, and a large swimming pool. A covered barbecue area is located near the powered sites, and there is a large fully enclosed campers’ kitchen where the equipment includes barbecue facilities, a TV, a fridge/freezer, a microwave and a stove. There is also an area where travellers can have a campfire. Internet access is available, as are gas refills and DVDs for hire.
Takeaway meals are available from the service station that is adjacent to the caravan park. There is also a pub, a post office, and a café/art gallery
For more information about Sandy Hollow Tourist Park, visit turu.com.au.