Sandy Hollow, New South Wales facts for kids

Entrance sign for the town of Sandy Hollow

Sandy Hollow is a small country town in New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Muswellbrook Shire area. You can find Sandy Hollow in the western part of the Upper Hunter Valley, about 260 kilometers north of Sydney.

This town is located almost halfway between Denman and Merriwa. It sits just 1 kilometer west of where the Golden Highway meets the Bylong Valley Way. Sandy Hollow is also an important spot for railway lines, connecting the Merriwa and Sandy Hollow-Ulan railway lines. There was a train station here from 1917 to 1973.

Today, Sandy Hollow offers several useful services. You can find a hotel, a caravan park with a swimming pool, and a service station. There's also a post office that sells meals. The town has a community hall, a small public school, and a coffee shop with unique art and gifts. The Goulburn River and Giants Creek flow close to the town, adding to its natural beauty.

Discovering Sandy Hollow's Past

Sandy Hollow started as a simple campsite for travelers. It was located where the Goulburn River Valley met Halls Creek. This made it a convenient stop for people on long journeys.

Building the Railways

Plans for a railway line connecting Maryvale and Sandy Hollow were first made in 1918. Work on this railway began in 1941. However, construction stopped during World War II. It started again in 1946 but was paused once more in 1950.

Later, a coal mine opened in Ulan in 1977. To transport the coal, a railway line was completed in 1982. This line helped move coal to Newcastle, a major port city.

Oil Shale Mining

In the 1940s, a type of rock called oil-bearing shale was mined near Baerami Creek. This shale was then trucked to Sandy Hollow. Here, it was processed to extract oil. However, this mining operation closed after World War II because it was not making enough money.

Famous People from Sandy Hollow

• Stephen Gageler AC – He is a very important judge in Australia. He has been a High Court justice since 2012 and became the Chief Justice of the High Court in 2023.