The Gunnadoo Gold Mine will be closing to visitors at the end of this month after owner Noel Rawlinson decided to sell the mine to new operators.

Until now Gunnadoo has been half gold mine, half tourist attraction.

After April 30, the tourist section will go by the wayside as the new owners expand mining operations.

Mr Rawlinson said when they bring in more heavy machinery and equipment it is unlikely the mine will still be deemed safe for visitors.

Since owning the mine the only heavy machinery Mr Rawlinson has ever used was a jackhammer. With new technology and bigger machinery, he said there was still plenty for the new owners to dig out.

The mine has a rich history, it sits in the Ophir gold fields, where the first gold near Orange was discovered in the 19th century.

The area has been worked continuously since the 1880s and Gunnadoo provided some of the gold used to mint gold medals for the Sydney Olympics.

There was well documented controversy in the late 1990s among accusations the mine was unsafe for tourists.

Independent assessors put the claims to rest and Mr Rawlinson said the following Easter holiday saw a record number of visitors.

Since 1983 the small two-man operation has kept Mr Rawlinson in business but has gradually taken its toll.

After two back operations and one knee operation, Mr Rawlinson decided it was time to give it away and concentrate on travelling around Australia.

"I don't really have any regrets. I haven't been able to leave the place for 24 years.

"It's too hard to find someone you can trust to look after the place but after 24 years out here you do have some regrets though," he said.

For your last chance to see Gunnadoo for yourself call Noel Rawlinson on 6366-0445.