Nundle was established at the foot of the
Great Dividing Range when gold was discovered at "The
Hanging Rock" and nearby Swamp Creek in 1852. By June 1852 there were 300 diggers on the fields at Oakenville Creek. Prospectors from California, Europe and China were also digging along the Peel River and up the mountain slopes. By 1865 the population was around 500 with about 50 businesses in operation. A public school was completed during December, 1871 and lessons commenced there in 1872. Nundle was declared a town in 1885. In 1924 the Peel River Bridge was constructed and in 1941 electricity was connected to the town. During 1966 the swimming pool was opened by the Rt Hon.
Ian Sinclair. The population of Nundle Shire was 1350 in 1969. In 1979 Premier
Neville Wran opened the newly completed Chaffey Dam. Sheep, cattle and timber are the economic mainstays of this village nowadays. This is a scenic village, with historic buildings, the Nundle Woollen Mill, old Court House, Peel Inn and Primitive Methodist Church which are a few examples of existing 19th century architecture there. Nundle Courthouse (former) and Police Station have been placed on the
Register of the National Estate. Nundle is noted as one of the best areas in the State for
crystals. Some gold and other precious stones to be found include
zircons, green jasper,
sapphires and serpentine minerals. Nundle is a popular tourist destination for both casual travellers and motorcycle enthusiasts. Nearby is the interesting
Hanging Rock mining village with good views of the Nundle valley. In 1948, the
Douglas DC-3 Lutana crashed into Square Peak, west-south-west of Nundle during a flight between Brisbane and Sydney. All 13 occupants of the
Lutana were killed. The plane was found two days after the accident, 60 miles off course. One of the damaged propellers from the aeroplane is now part of a memorial in the town. A new bridge across the
Peel River at Nundle was completed in early 2008, with the funding of $683,000 provided by the NSW State Government. In July 2008 the rare
Euphrasia arguta was rediscovered in a State Forest near Nundle. This plant was last recorded in 1904 and is believed to have been regenerated after fire control activities the previous summer. ==Facilities==