Tucked away in the New England region of New South Wales, Bingara holds a remarkable secret beneath its red soil — a glittering history of gold and diamond discoveries that once drew prospectors from across the country. Today, that same spirit of adventure calls to fossickers, history lovers, and anyone captivated by the stories of those who struck it rich in this extraordinary corner of Australia.
And nobody understood that story better than the late John A. Hume.
A Lifetime Devoted to Bingara's Riches
John Hume was a school teacher by profession, but a fossicker and historian by passion. He spent a significant part of his life out in the field — fossicking with remarkable success — and an equal part in the archives, researching the documented history of Bingara's mining heritage. He became the undisputed leading authority on the subject, possessing an exceptional depth of knowledge and understanding that few could match.
Thankfully for all of us, John recorded that knowledge in three extraordinary books — meticulous accounts of facts, methods, history, and crucially, the locations and production records of the successful mines and the individual miners who worked them. These are not casual reads; they are definitive references, written by a man who lived and breathed this history.
The Three Essential Books for Every Fossicker & History Enthusiast
💎 The Glitter of Diamonds — Bingara's First Discovery & Early Workings
Australia's first diamond was discovered right here in Bingara — and this book tells that remarkable story in full. John Hume traces the very first discovery through to the early workings that followed, documenting the excitement, the methods, and the miners who made history. If you want to understand how Bingara became synonymous with diamonds, this is where you start.
💎 Diamond Mining in Bingara — The Eagle Hawk Discovery & Early Mining History
Continuing the diamond story, this volume dives deeper into the Eagle Hawk discovery and the broader early mining history of the region. John's meticulous research brings to life the individual miners, the specific locations, and the production records that defined an era. An indispensable companion to the first volume — and a treasure trove for anyone planning a fossicking trip to the area.
⛏️ Bingara's Golden Past
Gold fever was just as real in Bingara as diamonds. This book chronicles the town's rich gold mining heritage — the rushes, the mines, the methods, and the men and women who chased the glitter of gold through Bingara's hills and creek beds. Written with the same authority and passion that defines all of John's work, Bingara's Golden Past is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Australian gold history.
Supporting the Bingara Historical Society
When you purchase any of John Hume's books through Rodney's Relics, 80% of the sale goes directly to the Bingara Historical Society — the dedicated guardians of our town's heritage. Your purchase isn't just adding a remarkable book to your shelf; it's actively supporting the preservation of Bingara's history for future generations.
Plan Your Own Fossicking Adventure
Bingara remains one of Australia's great fossicking destinations. With John Hume's books in hand, you'll have the knowledge of the region's leading expert guiding you — the locations, the history, the methods. Whether you're a seasoned fossicker or a curious first-timer, there's no better preparation for a trip to the Gem of the New England.
Browse all three books in our Bingara History Books collection — and take home a piece of living history.
We can gift wrap and post to anyone in Australia — just use their address when checking out. Rodney of Rodney's Relics absolutely guarantees returns/refunds for anyone unhappy with their purchase. Call our Bingara main street shop on 02 6724 1500 with any questions.