If instead of turning off to warkworth, you continue southwards along the Putty Road then you will pass by huge Open-cut mining operations on both sides of the road. 9 kilometres will bring you to a bridge, beyond which is the tiny village of Bulga where there is a little more than a store - service station. It was from Bulga that drover Peter Clarke set off in 1863 on a trip which saw him ratally shot by bushranger Henry Wilson.

Exactly 4 kilometres south of the store Thompson Road heads off to the right. It is signposted 'Oranges For Sale Pick Your Own'. Another 4 kilometres will bring you to the rather beautiful Hillsdale Orchard where there are 5000 orange trees. The business is well-organised and caters for coach groups with morning and afternoon tea and a guided tour through the property which takes display of Aboriginal artefacts found on the property over the years and a large and very pleasant semi-tropical fernery which the owners have created on a hillside. There are 6 kilometres walking trails along Milbrodale Creek, and a bed and breakfast farmstay. Visitors can pick and eat their own oranges.

Just south of Thompson Road is a recreation ground and rest area. St Marks Anglican Church, over the road, was dedicated in 1888.