Woodstock, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WoodstockNew South Wales |
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Parkes Street, the main street of Woodstock
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 Woodstock
Location in New South Wales
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| Established | 1888 |
| Postcode(s) | 2793 |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Cowra Shire |
| State electorate(s) | Cootamundra |
| Federal Division(s) | Hume |
Woodstock is a small village in the central west of New South Wales, Australia. It is about 21 kilometres (13 mi) north-east of Cowra. Woodstock has a cool history, especially because of a short gold rush in the late 1800s. This gold rush left behind some important old buildings.
Today, you can still see a restored railway station, a hotel, and a memorial hall in Woodstock. The Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Hall hosts country markets on the second Sunday of most months. It also welcomes an opera company called OperaWorks every year. Other fun events in Woodstock include motorbike championships and the yearly local show.
Contents
Discovering Woodstock's History
Gold Rush Days
Gold was first found in 1868 at Woods Flat, which is a few kilometres south of Woodstock. About 500 gold miners, called diggers, quickly came to the area. However, the gold on the surface was not much, and there wasn't enough water. So, most of the diggers soon left. The goldfield was active for a long time, but almost all the old buildings from Woods Flat are gone today.
How Woodstock Started
The village of Woodstock began because a railway line was being built. This line went north from Woods Flat, connecting Blayney to Cowra in the 1880s. At first, the village was also called Woods Flat. But in 1886, its name was changed to Woodstock.
The Railway Station
The railway station in Woodstock opened in 1888. It was part of the Blayney - Demondrille line. This line connected the Main Western Line at Blayney with the Main Southern Line at Demondrille railway station. In the past, the station area was very busy. It had places for grain, animal yards, and sheds for goods.
Today, trains don't run regularly on this line anymore. However, the Lachlan Valley Railway sometimes runs special heritage trains from Cowra to Blayney. The old railway station in Woodstock has been turned into an art gallery and a private home.
Village Life and Buildings
By 1900, Woodstock was a busy place with many shops and businesses. There were butchers, bakers, hotels, and places to get your boots made or clothes tailored. The current Royal Hotel was rebuilt in 1911 after an earlier wooden building burned down.
The Soldiers Memorial Hall was officially opened in 1925. It was opened by Sir Neville Reginald Howse, who was a Member of Parliament at that time.
A Local Legend
John Vane was a bushranger, which means he was an outlaw who lived in the bush. He was part of Ben Hall's gang. John Vane passed away in 1906 and was buried in an unmarked grave at Woodstock cemetery. In 1989, local historians put up a headstone for him.
Woodstock's Population
The number of people living in Woodstock changes over time.
- In 2011, there were 812 people.
- By 2016, the population had gone down to 701.
- The 2021 census showed that the population had grown again to 792 people.
Important Places in Woodstock
Woodstock has some places that are listed as important heritage sites. This means they are protected because of their historical value.
- Blayney-Harden railway: Woodstock railway station
Motorcycle Speedway
Woodstock is also home to a motorcycle speedway track. It's called Woodstock Park and is located northeast of the village (33°44′16″S 148°51′28″E / 33.73778°S 148.85778°E). This track has even hosted the New South Wales Individual Speedway Championship, which is a big race for motorbike riders.
Gallery
- Woodstock Images
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Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Hall,
Rankin Street -
Woodstock railway station,
now an art gallery -
Former Commercial Banking Company branch
and residence
