[4] Hill End owes its existence to the New South Wales gold rush of the 1850s, and at its peak in the early 1870s it had a population estimated at 8,000 served by two newspapers, five banks, eight churches and twenty-eight pubs.

Holtermann, recognizing the significance of the find, attempted to preserve it whole by offering to buy it for £1,000 above the estimated market value from the Star of Hope Goldmining Company of which he and Hugo Louis Beyers were founding directors.

Their goal is to provide information on the life, the families and events of a bygone era and to connect their worldwide community of descendants who have an affiliation to the district.

Their website contains transcriptions of many primary records, listing names of the early miners and pioneers, that may not appear in the more mainstream family history resources.

The NPWS runs a museum just off the main road which contains many original photos and items of equipment from the busy days of the gold rush.

A more extensive museum, the privately owned History Hill, is located a few kilometres from the town on the Bathurst Road.

Metal detectors or gold panning are not allowed within the historic site; however, there is a fossicking area just past the cemetery off the Mudgee Road.

The Royal Hotel and the local "bed and breakfasts" offer accommodation and there are a number of camping options within the town limits.

The Bridle Track runs from Duramana (north of Bathurst) directly to the town centre of Hill End.