BEECHWORTH HISTORIC PARK (BEECHWORTH, VICTORIA)

“A number of significant gold mining sites are incorporated in sections of the Beechworth Historic Park.  Drive, cycle or walk along the sealed Gorge Scenic Drive for spectacular views of the granite landscape and local gold mining history.  It passes the Powder Magazine erected in 1859 and one of the best examples of its type in Australia.”

Click Here for More Information on Beechworth Historic Park

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BERRY DEEP LEAD GOLD MINE (CRESWICK, VICTORIA)

“Between 1872 and 1900, more than 30 companies worked Victoria”s richest deep alluvial gold lead system which runs between Creswick and Smeaton to the north. They produced about 1.7 million oz of gold and have left a distinctive landscape of large mullock dumps. Two Cornish enginehouses used to pump water from the workings can be seen from the road about 3km west of Smeaton.”

Click Here for More Information on the Berry Deep Lead Gold Mine

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BRIGHT HISTORICAL MUSEUM (BRIGHT, VICTORIA)

“This museum, located in the heritage listed Bright railway station, contains items of local social history, gold mining artefacts, a reconstructed Chinese Joss House and artefacts from Chinese miners, local family histories, and a photographic collection.”

Click Here for More Information on the Bright Historical Museum

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CARMAN”S TUNNEL (MALDON, VICTORIA)

“Located opposite the North British Mine, Carman”s Tunnel is 570 metres long and features displays of gold mining techniques used by miners during the 1880s.  Tours are conducted on weekends and public holidays.”

Click Here for More Information on Carman”s Tunnel

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CASSILIS HISTORIC GOLDFIELDS (NEAR OMEO, VICTORIA)

“The village of Cassilis was named after a small township in Scotland and in the 1800s was a thriving mining centre. It was once home to more than 1000 people, but today there is little evidence of its passing save a lonely cemetery filled with miners and their kin. The Cassilis Historic Area includes the heritage listed King Cassilis and Cassilis mine treatment plants.  Walk the terminating section of the Jirnkee Water Race and admire the historic rockwork along the Charlotte Spur Tack.”

Click Here for More Information on Cassilis Historic Goldfields

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CASTLEMAINE DIGGINGS NATIONAL HERITAGE PARK (CASTLEMAINE, VICTORIA)

“The Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park stretches from north of Chewton, south through the Fryerstown and Vaughan Springs areas.  From 1851 to 1854, this area was the world”s richest shallow alluvial goldfield and home to tens of thousands of migrant gold seekers.  The Reserve contains the remains of the mines and gullies which yielded fortunes and retains much of its gold rush character.  Relics of former mining activities scattered throughout the park include old shafts, tunnels and open cut mines, water races, building ruins, machinery foundations and abandoned machinery.”

Click Here for More Information on Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Npp-lxSeY[/embedyt]

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CENTRAL DEBORAH GOLD MINE (BENDIGO, VICTORIA)

“When gold was first discovered in Bendigo in 1851 it sparked decades of gold mining worth billions of dollars. Central Deborah Mine was one of the last two commercial mines to cease operation in the wealthy Bendigo goldfields, operating for just 15 years between 1939 and 1954 producing 29,865 ounces of gold. The Mine features an underground tour which descends 61m below the surface and a longer adventure tour which uses ladders to reach a depth of 85m.”

Click Here for More Information on Central Deborah Gold Mine

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FOREST CREEK HISTORIC GOLD DIGGINGS (CASTLEMAINE, VICTORIA)

“Forest Creek Historic Gold diggings is situated mid-way between Castlemaine and Chewton. A 400m interpretive walk allows you to discover how miners won alluvial gold from Forest Creek.”

Click Here for More Information on Forest Creek Diggings

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EL DORADO GOLD DREDGE (BEECHWORTH, VICTORIA)

“The dredge has remained in its final mooring place at Eldorado 20km west of Beechworth since 1954. It was tied up here after operating for 18 years and winning 70,664 ounces of gold and 1,383 tons of tin concentrate from the rich alluvial plain of Reedy Creek.  An easy 15 minute walk around the pond tells you about the dredge, its operation and the environment.”

Click Here for More Information on the El Dorado Gold Dredge

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GARFIELD WATER WHEEL (CHEWTON, VICTORIA)

“The remains of the Garfield Water Wheel stone abutments stand in the bush just north of Chewton. The 24m diameter wheel was erected in 1887 and drove a 23 head quartz stamp battery until 1904, when steam took over. A walking trail explains the links between the mine, the stamping battery and the water wheel.”

Click Here for More Information on the Garfield Water Wheel

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GOLD MUSEUM (BALLARAT, VICTORIA)

“The Gold Museum houses an extensive and valuable collection of gold nuggets, alluvial deposits, gold ornaments and coins, featuring the renowned Jessica and Paul Simon collection of gold coins.”

Click Here for More Information on the Gold Museum

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WmWVyo-YhM[/embedyt]

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KARRS REEF GOLD MINE (BEECHWORTH, VICTORIA)

“This tour travels from Yackandandah to the historic mine site which was worked from 1867-1884. It passes many historic sites along the way and then goes 150m into the mine, which still has many original pieces of machinery and tools used during this goldmining era on display.”

Click Here for More Information on the Karrs Reef Gold Mine

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yHrNOWgJVc[/embedyt]

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MALDON HISTORIC AREA (MALDON, VICTORIA)

“This Reserve which surrounds Maldon was established to protect relics from the gold mining era that gave birth to the township – abandoned shafts and tunnels, mullock heap, quartz roasting kilns, stone walls, chimneys and machinery. Alluvial gold was discovered in the Maldon area in 1853 resulting in a rush of 20,000 diggers. After the initial rush, companies mined the rich quartz reefs.”

Click Here for More Information on the Maldon Historic Area

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mVGjGZY3JU[/embedyt]

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ORIENTAL CLAIMS HISTORIC AREA (ALPINE NATIONAL PARK)

“The Oriental Claims Historic Area near Omeo showed sufficient promise to encourage pioneers to forge out an existence in remote mountainous areas. At its peak, the Oriental Claims was one of the largest gold sluicing operations in the world. Mining relics and sites can be viewed from taking short walks around the Claims. An interpretive trail takes you to of the most extensive and rich sites within the Oriental Claims.”

Click Here for More Information on the Oriental Claims Historic Area

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SOVEREIGN HILL (BALLARAT, VICTORIA)

“Sovereign Hill is an open air museum that depicts Ballarat”s first ten years after the discovery of gold in 1851 and comprises over 60 historically recreated buildings, with costumed volunteers.  The gold diggings are the centre point of the complex, featuring a winding creek in which visitors are able to pan for real gold.  This area is surrounded by tents and buildings contemporary to the early years of the gold rush.  There are two mines which have guided tours at regular intervals.  It also features steam-driven machinery for pumping water and processing the ore.”

Click Here for More Information on Sovereign Hill

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yoxX0XFlS8[/embedyt]

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VICTORIA HILL MINING RESERVE (BENDIGO, VICTORIA)

“The story of quartz mining on Victoria Hill lies at the heart of Bendigo”s historical status as the world”s richest and deepest reefing field. Gold was discovered on Victoria Hill in 1854, and by early 1855 claims had been taken up over its entire extent.  The mines worked until 1954 and produced over 22 million ounces of gold.  The Reserve features a self-guided walking trail with interpretive signs which passes various mining features including the poppet head tower providing spectacular views over Bendigo, open cuts and crushing machinery.”

Click Here for More Information on Victoria Hill Mining Reserve

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WALHALLA HISTORIC AREA (WALHALLA, VICTORIA)

“Take the historic town walk and learn all about the history of Walhalla, including the Corner Stores Museum, the Old Fire Station spanning the creek, the Mountaineer Brass Band Rotunda, the Mechanics Institute, the Bank Vault, the local Post and Telegraph Office, St Johns Church and the hillside cemetery with its vertical graves.”

Click Here for More Information on Walhalla Historic Area

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKbo7Z9yLdg[/embedyt]

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WHROO HISTORIC RESERVE (RUSHWORTH, VICTORIA)

“This reserve encompasses the site of the Whroo township and part of the associated Whroo goldfields.  Alluvial gold was found at the present sites of Rushworth and Whroo in August 1853 and the resultant gold-rush brought thousands of hopeful diggers to the area overnight.  With the winding down of mining activity in the 1890s the town rapidly went into decline and today little evidence of it remains other than the old cemetery.”

Click Here for More Information on the Whroo Historic Reserve

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WONTHAGGI STATE COAL MINE (SOUTH GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA)

“In 1909, a miners” strike starved the Victorian Railways and Melbourne”s coal industry, forcing a hasty development of the Wonthaggi mines as a public enterprise.  Expansion of the coalfield followed through the 1910s and 1920s, with the establishment of a powerhouse and workshops complex, a brickworks and nine well equipped mines.  The town of Wonthaggi grew to a population of up to 10,000 during this period.  Underground tours now available.”

Click Here for More Information on the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYOczdQ8PVw[/embedyt]

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