Discover Gunning

Gunning tells its story in a variety of places: at a rural railway station complex from the Victorian era, in a relocated settlers’ cottage and along a heritage walk through town. There are also galleries, events and nature reserves in the surrounding area. This means you can choose between local history, art and outdoor activities during your stay.

Railway history and historic buildings

The Gunning Railway Station and yard group is one of the best-preserved examples of a small rural railway station complex from the late Victorian era. Parts of the complex date back to the railway line’s opening in 1875. The station is therefore not just a single historic building, but part of a group that conveys the character of a rural railway site.

Another way to explore local history is the Gunning Heritage Walk. It starts at the Post Office, built in 1881, and leads to more than 20 historic sites in Gunning. If you’d like to explore the history beyond a single building, this walk takes in a range of the town’s historic landmarks. When planning your trip, you can combine this with visits to individual museums and galleries.

Settler history, art and events

The Pye Cottage Museum is an original timber settlers’ cottage. It was built in Dalton in 1860, donated to the Gunning & District Historical Society by the Pye family and relocated to Gunning in 1974. At the museum, you can view documents and artefacts relating to the pioneering era. Both its construction and relocation are part of the cottage’s story: its roots are in Dalton, but it is now in Gunning.

The Picture House Gallery and Bookshop is housed in a historic Art Deco building at the Coronation Theatre, dating from around 1937. Original paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and ceramics by artists from the region and other parts of Australia are displayed for sale there. A visit adds visual art and craftsmanship to the historical perspective.

Connect at Gunning Station is housed in the restored historic Gunning Railway Station. Visitors can explore changing exhibitions and heritage displays there; creative workshops, cultural events and community gatherings are also held. The Picture House Theatre occasionally hosts performances and events throughout the year featuring internationally renowned musicians. If you’d like to focus your trip on culture, these different venues offer further opportunities to engage with Gunning.

Townscape and nature nearby

The 4 km “Sightseeing Gunning” cycling route is designed to explore the main historic landmarks and the townscape. It offers a different focus from the Heritage Walk: this route is best explored by bike, while the Heritage Walk takes in more than 20 historic sites. The stated distance helps you fit the route into your day’s plans.

The Gunning Reserves lie to the south and west of town. They include Bango Nature Reserve, Oakdale Nature Reserve, McLeods Creek Nature Reserve and Belmount State Conservation Area. These reserves offer low-impact recreational activities such as walking, picnicking, cycling, bushwalking and bush camping. Alongside the town’s historic sites, they offer a nature-focused side to your stay. Depending on your interests, you can focus your trip more on local history and exhibitions or on activities in the reserves.

Gunning as a base for your stay

Gunning is a stop on the railway line between Sydney and Melbourne. The character of the town may be an important factor when choosing a holiday apartment or house: historic buildings, museums and cultural attractions are at its heart, while the Gunning Reserves to the south and west of town offer additional outdoor opportunities. Consider which of these sides appeals to you most during your stay. This will help you choose Gunning as a destination that suits the discoveries you have planned, without limiting your stay to just one way of exploring.

More town pages: Mogo, Kingsgrove, Sandy Hollow, Neath, Myall Park, Coonamble, Macksville and Mount Hutton.

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.