Accommodation in The Goldfields

Situated in Central Victoria, just over 100km north-west of Melbourne, the Goldfields region is filled with opportunities for those wanting to experience the heady days of the goldrush era.

In 1851, news of the discovery of gold spread like wildfire around the colonies of Victoria and New South Wales, and reached as far as China, England and the USA. A population explosion occurred by October of that year, 8000 prospectors descended on the area; the number swelled to 30 000 a year later; and by 1856 a record 100 000 people were at the goldfields. Tiny settlements became boom towns virtually overnight. Melbourne was almost deserted during 1851, after 20 000 of its 25 000 population left for the Mount Alexander diggings.

As prosperity spread to the trades, services and agricultural industries that supported the gold miners and developing mining companies, towns became thriving regional centres, bearing all the hallmarks of wealth.

The rich history of the Goldfields and Victorian architecture is evident everywhere and visitors can explore the area through activities such as prospecting, fossicking, camping and bushwalking.