The earliest known inhabitants of the area were the Wiradjuri people. European history began when the area was first explored by Surveyor Evans, who camped nearby in December, 1813. The present location of the village of Rockley was originally kept as part of a Government Stock Reserve from 1815-1829, although a land grant was made in the area to William Lawson in 1818. First grants in the immediate area were made at Dunn’s Plain in 1824 and at ‘Brownlea’ to Captain John Brown in 1827.
 

In 1829 a grant of 1,920 acres on the west bank of Campbell’s River was made to Captain Watson Augustus Steel of the 34th Regiment by Governor Darling. Captain Watson Steel named his grant ‘Rockley’ after his birthplace in Wiltshire, England. Captain Watson Steel and his family arrived in Sydney on the ‘Persian’ in February, 1829. Steel was a foundation cadet of Sandhurst Military College. In 1850, Steel and other landholders requested that the area set aside in 1833 be surveyed into allotments so they could be purchased by tradesmen to service the local districts.

The notification of the establishment of ‘Rockley’ was published on 22nd July, 1851, in the Government Gazette.

The Bathurst Visitor Information Office have a village booklet which includes Rockley. There is also the Rockley hotel (with pub style accommodation), bed and breakfast, Rockley Tea Room, Rockley Museum, park and picnic area, toilets and swimming hole.

In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local maps and other information.