Due to the isolation of Mullet Creek and the lack of development in the area, the site has been left reasonably intact and is now a rare example of this type of settlement in Australia. Most railway camp settlements were abandoned and any ‘rubbish’ left behind was discarded by future developers. Although past disturbance of the Mullet Creek site, from metal detectors and bottle hunters, has damaged some areas it still retains many articles of interest. By examining these articles, it further enhances our knowledge of itinerant workers and their families of the late nineteenth century in Australia.
The following artefacts were found at the Mount Pleasant site near the tunnel opening.
Thomas Holloway, an English medicine producer, started manufacturing Holloway’s Ointments in 1837. His medicines became widely available around the world throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The popularity of his medicine was widely attributed to successful advertising campaigns.(1) The above remnant of a Holloways Family Ointment jar and remnants of a child’s tea set (see below) which was found in the vicinity of the fireplace at Mount Pleasant, suggest a family lived here. Other articles such as the butter dish lid, casserole dish lid and various other clay and glass bottles are to be found in the same area. A stream runs at the back of the site and although overgrown, there is what looks to be a pond (see below) several metres away from the fireplace.
Several metres from the fireplace the Traveller’s Rest Hotel site can be found. Very little remaining artefacts can be found in this area. Broken bottles and porcelain, together with sandstone bricks are all that remain.
Traveller’s Rest Hotel site
Artefacts found at the Traveller’s Rest hotel site
The Travellers Rest Hotel closed in 1887. Snape built another hotel shortly after, located close to what is now Wondabyne station. Known as the Centennial Hotel, it was a resort style hotel built for tourists. It closed in approximately 1892 when Snape and his family left the area.
Centennial Hotel site
A dam, located at the head of Mullet Creek was built to cater for the needs of the camp residents as well as for railway construction purposes. A long rock walled water race was built which lead water to the dam. It was a large structure, some of which remains today.
There are various remaining artefacts from the main camp at the head of Mullet Creek. Those include sandstone blocks from what appears to be a two roomed building and wall and the first quarry located close to the rock wharf at the head of Mullet Creek.
Another sandstone quarry is located several metres further along Mullet Creek. This quarry was in use from 1887. The sandstone was possibly used for the pilons for the Hawkesbury River railway bridge. A path from the quarry leads to McGregor’s store and with further investigation it would probably lead to the main camp at Mullet Creek.
