Castlemaine - Forest Creek Gold Diggings
Discover how generations of miners won gold from the rich alluvial ground along Forest Creek on this 400m circuit self-guided walk with interpretive signs. The walk is on a well-marked gravel path which is relatively flat and has one slightly steeper section. The walk is ideal for families, including people with restricted mobility, there is one short section along the gravel path where assistance may be required. There are picnic tables and a large, unfurnished shelter suitable for groups near the carpark.
The landscape here shows the environmental impacts of various types of alluvial gold mining, including shaft sinking, tunnelling and hydraulic sluicing. Enjoy a picnic, explore the geomaze, pan for gold in the dam near the carpark and see one of Victoria?s unique mining gems - a massive Ruston and Hornsby gas engine, used to pump large volumes of water at the cliff-face to extract gold.
Gold-panning kits can be purchased from the Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre. Other forms of prospecting are prohibited.
Access to Forest Creek Gold Diggings Site:
The site is easily accessible by road. There is a car park off the Pyrenees Highway / Duke Street at the eastern end of Castlemaine.
For walkers, access is via a 300m detour off the (4) Pennyweight Flat Cemetery Walk, (7) Forest Creek Trail or Goldfields Track (walking and biking). Parking is available off Prendergast Street.
From the Garfield Water Wheel Trailhead, follow the Goldfields Track towards Castlemaine, turning south (left) at Farran Street and crossing the Pyrenees Highway (2.7km one-way).
Forest Creek Gold Diggings Map
Forest Creek Gold Diggings Walk is labelled (8) on the map.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs must be kept on a lead and under control at all times. Please collect and remove your dog's droppings for the sake of other visitors and to avoid stress to native animals.
Please note that the Nimrod Reef Mine and Welsh Village is a designated Special Protection Area due to its historic significance, so the (6) Welsh Village Walk is not marked or signed through that area. Dogs and bikes are prohibited.
Safety:
The Castlemaine Diggings are a heavily mined landscape and contain a variety of ongoing hazards, including uneven and unstable ground, mineshafts, open cuts, quarries, and mine tailings. For your own safety, please stay on mapped tracks and supervise children. Comply with local signs and do not climb over or around barriers and fences or on the stone foundations of the water wheel.
Take care in and around the dam. Always actively supervise children near water.
Review:
This is a very interesting site, which is easily accessible off the highway, which shows how alluvial gold mining was conducted. There is lots of old mining equipment scattered around the site and a labyrinth.
At the carpark there is a picnic table and toilets.
All the information boards are being replaced and should be completed by early 2025.
Location
164 Duke Street, Castlemaine 3450 Map
Web Links
→ Forest Creek Heritage Notes (PDF)
→ www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/sites/forest-creek-gold-diggings
