Tia, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids TiaNew South Wales |
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Tia Gorge, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
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 Tia
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 376 (2006 census) |
| Established | 1840 |
| Postcode(s) | 2354 |
| LGA(s) | Walcha Shire |
| County | Vernon |
| State electorate(s) | Tamworth |
| Federal Division(s) | New England |
Tia (pronounced 'tie-ah') is a small place in New South Wales, Australia. It's about 30 kilometers east of a town called Walcha. You can find it in the beautiful Northern Tablelands area.
Contents
A Look Back at Tia's History
Tia began as a large farm called Tia River Station. Richard and William Denne first settled here in 1840. The farm was huge, covering about 259 square kilometers (100 square miles). Later, in 1882, Augustus Hooke bought the station.
Famous Horse from Tia
A very special horse named Blue Spec was born on Tia River Station. He was a brown stallion foaled in 1899. Blue Spec became famous for winning several big races. These included the Kalgoorlie Cup, the Perth Cup, and the 1905 Melbourne Cup. He even won the Melbourne Cup in record time!
Tia's Early Services
In 1893, a small office opened in Tia to handle mail. It was called the Tia Receiving Office. By 1901, it became a full Post Office. This Post Office served the community until it closed in 1977. The local school in Tia has also been closed for many years. However, the old church on Tia Diggings Road is still standing.
Tia as a Gold Mining Spot
In 1895, a local newspaper described Tia as a great place for gold miners. It was easy to get to, known for having gold, and life there was affordable.
Gold Mining in Tia
People first found gold in Tia in 1866. Then, in 1873, a new gold reef was discovered at McLeod’s Creek. This discovery led to a "gold rush" as many people came hoping to find their fortune.
Early Gold Mining Efforts
In 1877, two men from Scotland, Matheson and Mclntyre, worked hard to find gold. They dug tunnels and shafts. By 1879, they built a machine to crush rocks and a long channel to bring water to power it. They found a small amount of gold, just over an ounce per ton of rock. In 1887, they sold their operation to the Tia Gold Mining Company.
The Tia Gold Mining Company
The new company invested more money and dug deeper shafts. However, they didn't find much gold. Eventually, large-scale gold mining stopped in Tia. Even so, some people continued to search for gold by hand for many years.
Exploring Tia's Geography
The Tia River is a key part of the area's geography. It flows over the beautiful Tia Falls and through the deep Tia Gorge. These natural wonders are part of the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
Visiting Tia Falls and Gorge
The landscape around Tia Falls and Gorge is typical of the New England Tablelands. You can reach these spots by driving about six kilometers down a gravel road from the Oxley Highway. There are two walking paths that follow the edge of the gorge. The Falls walk is about 1.5 kilometers long (return trip) and leads to a lookout point for the Falls and the Tia Gorge viewing area. If you want to stay longer, there are places for camping, information, and picnic areas available.
Tia's Population
According to the 2006 census, about 376 people lived in the Tia area.
What Drives Tia's Economy?
The local economy in Tia mainly relies on farming. Farmers in the area raise fine wool sheep, beef cattle, and prime lambs. These activities help support the community.
