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The Victorian Goldfields is home to a huge collection of historical towns, with charming heritage streetscapes and grand nineteenth century architecture being dominant features of the region.
This list presents some of the best historical towns to visit throughout the Victorian Goldfields, where you can discover their rich local heritage along with an abundance of natural and historical attractions.
Steiglitz
Visit the gorgeous old town of Steiglitz and take the fascinating Steiglitz Town Walk, an easy half hour circuit filled with interesting buildings, ruins and relics of the gold rush era.
Steiglitz was once a bustling township, where streets were lined with shops, homes, and thousands of people!
Along your stroll through town, check out the gorgeous remaining buildings, sandstone gutters, handmade bricks, chimneys and water tanks, fruit trees, mullock heaps, mine shafts and more.
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Inglewood
Spend a day exploring the grand gold town of Inglewood, where a series of brilliant antique stores and dining options are set in a gorgeous heritage streetscape.
Learn about local eucalyptus distillation at the Eucalyptus Distillery Museum, take a walk around the scenic Inglewood Reservoir, learn about the area's rich mining heritage at the Pioneers Memorial Park, and head up to Rose Hill for beautiful views over the surrounding countryside.
If you're looking to spend a weekend exploring the region, the Inglewood Motel and Caravan Park is a fantastic accommodation destination!
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CHEWTON
Formerly known as Forest Creek, Chewton has such a rich and fascinating history to share, being one of the earliest, most important, and renowned goldfields of the 1850s gold rush.
As well has having a wealth of historical sites to explore, Chewton is also home to a remarkable Sculpture Trail which brings a collection of the town's fascinating stories to life!
These brilliant life sized sculptures celebrate the town's rich past and present, telling stories of unforgettable local personalities and incredible events.
Discover more about the Chewton Sculpture Trail and find more things to do in Chewton.
Maldon
Maldon is one of the top destinations to explore within the Victorian Goldfields, with so much to discover and experience.
When you visit this picturesque little town you can take a heritage steam train ride with Victorian Goldfields Railway, explore markets, museums and gold mining relics, and so much more!
To this day Maldon has a gorgeous 19th century appearance, maintained since the gold rush era.
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BUNINYONG
Image source: Buninyong Community Website
Buninyong is a gorgeous pre-gold rush town which lies nestled at the foot of the striking Mount Buninyong, an iconic landmark of the Ballarat area.
Buninyong found fame as the site of an early gold rush, when Hiscock the blacksmith made a discovery which ultimately lead to the birth of the Ballarat Goldfield!
The historic town centre is complemented by a must-see botanical gardens, a brilliant museum, and a plethora of fascinating historic sites.
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Dunolly
Dunolly is a popular destination in the Golden Triangle, where you can explore the gorgeous streetscape and an abundance of historical sites.
Take a self-guided walk around the beautiful township, beginning at the impressive Dunolly Court House. A map is displayed out the front of the building, presenting a self-guided tour map with a series of numbered stops.
Be sure to drop in at the brilliant Dunolly Museum, which houses a huge collection of relics, gold nugget casts, firearms, photographs, local history records and more. This amazing museum is definitely worth a visit!
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Glenlyon
Image source: Glenlyon General Store
Stop in at the iconic Glenlyon General Store for lunch before spending the afternoon exploring the region's beautiful attractions.
After checking out the General Store and the charming tree-lined road through town, head over and sample the mineral water from the Glenlyon and Woolnough springs, explore a stunning waterfall in a spectacular basalt gorge, and take an education walk along the Loddon River.
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Tarnagulla
Visit the beautiful Tarnagulla and take a stroll down the town's heritage main street, stopping by the Soldiers Memorial Park for a picnic lunch.
The striking remains of the Wesleyan Methodist Church is a must-see feature of the town, and is complemented by plenty of other amazing buildings and historical sites.
Take a look at the impressive mine alongside the middle of town, drive around and discover the many beautiful churches standing in the side streets, check out the old brick and bluestone lock up, and take a walk around the small but scenic reservoir.
Be sure to drive out and see the charming stone Bell's Cottage, located not far down the road from Tarnagulla.
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Blackwood
This scenic little town lies nestled between the Wombat State Forest and the Lerderderg State Park, and sits surrounding by beautiful mountain views.
A popular destination for campers and 4wd enthusiasts exploring the surrounding forests, Blackwood is a great place to stop for lunch and explore the local parks and historical sites.
Head to the Blackwood Mineral Springs Reserve to sample the refreshing mineral water and embark on a bushwalk. Check out the impressive stamp battery on display in the centre of town. Visit the historical cemetery atop the hill, where information signs present a wealth of fascinating local history.
Discover more things to do in Blackwood.
More to explore in the Victorian Goldfields
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