A Visit to the 1800's - 'Oxley Downs'

In August 2007 a gathering of twenty eight Gulgong Club members taking twelve sulkies and four wagons enjoyed a very special event with a weekend visit to ‘Oxley Downs’, 30 km south east of Dubbo. This property was the site of the television series ‘Outback House’. The homestead, shearing shed and outbuildings were specially built as a working property to recreate the era of the 1800s.

We met at Tongi Hall on the Friday evening for a social campout. On the Saturday we traveled 20km, the majority of the time weaving our way through charming back roads, to arrive at ‘Oxley Downs’. This was a memorable moment as the sulkies and wagons were in their true setting and it was easy to believe that we had stepped back in time.

On the Sunday, our host, Scott Tourle, guided our troupe through the property for a wonderful jog to the adjoining family homestead ‘The Springs’. Here we were given a delightful tour of the original family home which was built in 1857 and has been splendidly maintained. Liz and Scott Tourle were generous hosts and we look forward to many return visits.
- By a Gulgong Club member.