tiabunna's photos with the keyword: Araluen

St Patrick's Catholic Church is probably the most substantial building in Araluen. I wondered if it dated from the gold mining days, when Araluen had some 35,000 people (now about 170) and over 40 hotels! Though the earlier St Patrick's did indeed date from the 1860s and actually began as one of those hotels, the current building is much more modern, dating from 1940.

It's a while since I posted any letterboxes. We found these in Araluen, once a goldfield and now a quiet farming area. I coundn't see any name on the old church. Behind are some of the ranges which surround the valley. Explored.

Back to my bushranger series. This is a view into the Araluen Valley, the richest of the NSW alluvial goldfields of the 1860s. The only road out led up this steep range, where Clarke's Lookout gained its name from the Clarke brothers and their gang of bushrangers. This was a favourite place for them to watch and wait to ambush coaches coming up from the valley. :-) Best viewed large. HFF and have a great weekend, everyone. Explored.