Discover the riches of the Goldfields. Visit some of Australia’s best regional art galleries, uncover homegrown talents at local exhibits, or try some retail therapy at specialty shops across the region.
Explore villages, indulge your taste buds with fresh food and boutique wines, then get active by hitting the bush trails on a mountain bike. Visit the Goldfields, and leave a little richer having learned a bit about the Victorian goldrush.
We’ll share our local knowledge and make some suggestions if you’d like to discover our rich gold mining history, inspect old mines and see some nuggets.
Sovereign Hill at Ballarat
Sovereign Hill is an outdoor museum presenting the story of Australia’s fabulous goldrush history. Its particular focus is the impact of the great 19th century gold discoveries on the growth of Ballarat, which was a small pastoral settlement when gold was discovered in 1851.
It all started at Bendigo in 1854, where fame of its riches spread all over the world, attracting miners and would be miners from afar as California, China and Europe.
Today Bendigo still displays is 1850’s wealth with its Victorian Era architecture. Only a hundred years later, in the 1950’s, did the last gold mine close, yet new technology offers hope to mining companies for the region.
Central Deborah Mine at Bendigo
Central Deborah Mine at Bendigo has a history of being one of the richest producers of gold in the world. At Central Deborah Gold Mine you have the unique opportunity of exploring a real gold mine. Be mesmerised by the beauty and lure of gold on one of the fascinating underground tours. Don a hard hat and miner’s lamp, be guided through the honeycomb of tunnels where almost one tone of the world’s most precious metal was unearthed and discover what conditions as a miner were really like during the harsh gold rush era.
Castlemaine
At the peak of the gold rush in the 1850s, Castlemaine was home to almost 30,000 miners and was considered to be the richest goldfield in the world. The rush of miners was instrumental to the changes that came about in the colony in the years that followed, the increase of wealth and democratic values, improved mining techniques and technologies, the introduction and improvement of services, infrastructure and facilities and a great deal of cultural diversity.
Of the many historic gold towns, over – 100,000 Kgs of gold have been extracted from the Castlemaine area. A fine example of Victorian architecture, The Castlemaine Market, now a Gold museum, is well worth a visit. Another notable example is the Buda, built by a retired Baptist preacher in the style of an Indian villa.
Clunes – historic mining town
Clunes is an historic gold mining town located in the heart of Victoria’s Central Goldfields region, just north of Ballarat and about an hour and 20 minutes drive west of Melbourne CBD. Blessed with history, vintage, environment and nature, Clunes is an idyllic destination for the weekend getaway, or just a country drive day trip. Clunes was the site of Victoria’s first gold strike. Relive the discovery of gold in the area in 1851, signalling the beginning of the Victorian goldrush.
Gold Prospecting Adventure Tours
Gold Prospecting Adventure Tours have come to Clunes! Darren Kamp, a gold prospector for over 30 years has a wealth of experience and is now focused on helping others take up what can be a lucrative hobby. With the price of gold soaring this is a great time to come on a gold adventure with Darren. Tours run from 9.30-4.30pm and Darren gives lots of his prospecting secrets away during these events. It’s fun, it’s educational and it can potentially make you rich!
Call Gold & Relics today on 03 5345 3375 or email darren@goldandrelics.com. au to find out more.
Tour cost: $247.00 per person or $347.00 for 2. Includes full tuition, detector hire, lunch and morning & afternoon tea.
