Millthorpe’s history dates back to the early 1800s when the first explorers crossed the Blue Mountains. Originally known as Spring Grove, the town grew in importance as well as size, as land was made available for farming. European settlement of the area began when a government stock station was established in 1823. The town itself is based upon a land grant originally known as Grove Farm which was made out to convict overseer Charles Booth in 1834. Grove Farm is still intact today, even if only a fraction of its original land size. Some of the original farm buildings, including the homestead are still standing. Booth Grove, on the western side of town is named in the memory of the contribution made to the area by Charles Booth. The district developed as a farming centre from 1840 to 1880 with numerous orchards established during the 1860’s.

Local agriculture and the popularity of the village reached its peak during the 1870’s when the railway reached the settlement and provided farmers with direct access to the Sydney markets.

A large flour mill was established in 1882. A couple of years later in 1884 Spring Grove changed its name to. Millthorpe to reflect the importance of the newly built mill. Millthorpe means village of the mill. Millthorpe had become a humming service town to this rich, closely settled district and social centre for its busy population.

Millthorpe’s commercial area was extended after the depression of the 1890’s and many of it’s largely brick buildings date from that period. The towns decline after WW1 means that it was spared redevelopment and so many of its buildings have survived with very little alteration.

Today, many of these buildings are still standing in their original form. Millthorpe is still essentially a service .centre to the rich farmlands which surround it. As agriculture still remains important to Millthorpe, so does tourism. With its popularity as a weekend getaway, just under 3 hours from Sydney, Millthorpe has extended appeal to include award winning restaurants housed in buildings dating back to the late 1800’s, as well as cafes, gift shops, art and craft galleries, country style pubs and exclusive bed & breakfast accommodation.

While Millthorpe’s bustling history has left it a legacy of grand buildings and heritage architecture, it is the wealth of talented people who now live and work here that makes a visit so worthwhile. Take time to talk to the residents, many of whom are direct descendants of the original pioneers, some who have returned to country life from the hectic day to day grind of the city, others who have called Millthorpe home for generations. Sample some luscious local food and wine at the villages award winning restaurants and cafes. View local artists at work in their art and crafts shops. Visit the local Golden Memories Museum, full of regional history including over 10 000 items dating back to the early 1800’s, including a colonial kitchen, pioneers blacksmith shop, rural technology display and antiquated rural farm equipment.

At the heart of the Blayney Shire, Millthorpe is a living museum. The entire village is registered on the National Estate and has a beauty and elegance of a bygone era. As one of the highest points on the central tablelands, (Millthorpe railway station is the highest railway station between Perth and the Blue Mountains) Millthorpe experiences four distinct seasons. No matter when you visit, there will be something special to see. The crisp frosty white paddocks in winter give way to the soft greens of the undulating countryside in Spring. Summer is a time of rich, ripe colour followed by the mellow reds browns and yellows of autumn.

It’s always a beautiful time to visit Millthorpe.