BBQ
There is so much opportunity for learning while exploring the Victorian Goldfields. This list compiles some of the region's best educational treasures, ranging from signed bushwalks to guided underground adventures - and everything in between!
![]()
![]()
![]()
Avoca Chinese Garden, Avoca VIC
The Avoca Chinese Garden, also called The Garden of Fire and Water, is a gorgeous reminder of Chinese heritage in the region. Outside the Chinese Garden, on Cambridge Street, there are multiple park benches and a large information sign with plenty of fascinating information about the garden and Chinese history in Avoca. Click for more information...
Apex Park and Traction Engine, St Arnaud VIC
The Apex Park in St Arnaud features a playground with a fort and slide, a swing set, a springer and a steel climbing frame. Alongside the playground lies a picnic table and the Tom Esmore Memorial Shelter, which contains a historic traction engine with interesting information signs. Click for more information...
Avoca River Nature Trail, Avoca VIC
The Avoca River Nature Trail is a beautiful, scenic walk through parkland along the banks of the Avoca River. Signs along the walk teach you about the river's history, vegetation, and resident fish. Click for more information...
Axedale Park, Axedale VIC
The Axedale Park is a well equipped recreation area which features a playground, skate park and undercover barbecue facilities. Axedale is a beautiful riverside town, located just twenty minutes out of Bendigo along the Campaspe River. Enjoy a barbecue lunch then explore the rich history of the area by following the Axedale Historical Loop Track. Click for more information...
Bendigo Botanic Garden Bird Aviary, White Hills VIC
This little treasure is located within the Bendigo Botanic Gardens in White Hills - a gorgeous park which features a playground with musical equipment, electric barbecues and picnic tables, a huge variety of plants and wildlife, and peaceful walking tracks. The bird aviary hosts a number of Australian parrots as well as some exotic pheasants. The aviary has a single path which curves through the enclosure, crossing a pretty pond before exiting out the other side. The birds are free to wander and fly around the entire enclosure. You will often find the spectacular pheasants on the walking track itself. Click for more information...
Big Tree Park, Guildford VIC
Big Tree Park in Guildford, Victoria is home to a spectacular, ancient River Red Gum thought to be somewhere between 500 to 1,000 years old. This impressive giant stands across the road from the park, which features a playground, undercover barbecue area, picnic tables, tennis courts with basketball hoops, a toilet block and information signs. Click for more information...
Brian Dowie Conservation Park, Carisbrook VIC
Brian Dowie Conservation Park is a beautiful patch of bushland on the outskirts of Carisbrook. There are several picnic tables and a heritage walkway lined with large, beautifully placed stones. These stones are great for kids who love to climb.In the middle of the park there's a gazebo with information signs on aboriginal history, pioneer history, gold mining history, local geology and wetlands. Click for more information...
Bristol Hill Pioneers Memorial Tower, Maryborough VIC
The Bristol Hill Pioneer Memorial Tower was built in 1933 during the Great Depression. It was based upon and named after Bristol Reef, which was mined from the late 1850's. It was constructed largely of material from the old Maryborough Gaol. The tower is located at the edge of Bristol Hill Reserve and offers amazing views of the town and surrounding bushland. Old tailings are visible to the west of the memorial tower. There are several walks beginning from the tower, including the Pioneer Cemetery Memorial and a historic circuit walk. Click for more information...
Bull Gully Aboriginal Rock Wells, Daisy Hill VIC
A set of four Aboriginal rock water wells can be found just off Wells track at Bull Gully, just outside Maryborough. These wells are generally thought to be the best example of Aboriginal rock wells in Victoria. Four holes have been excavated into the base of a large rock in a position which makes them a natural catchment for rainwater falling on the rock above. Due to the lack of permanent creeks, Aboriginal people depended on the rock wells for drinking water when they passed through the region. Click for more information...
Bull Gully Battery Dam and Distillery, Daisy Hill VIC
The Bull Gully Battery Dam Historic Site is located just outside Maryborough in the Craigie State Forest. The area was used during the gold rush to crush and process quartz from mines in the area. After gold processing operations ceased, some of the equipment was adapted to be used for a eucalyptus distillery. Today it features a picnic area, walking tracks, gold processing and eucalyptus distillery relics, and beautifully illustrated information signs. Click for more information...
Calembeen Park, Creswick VIC
With its gorgeous twin lakes, sweeping displays of waterlilies, abundant bird life and plenty of fish, Creswick's Calembeen Park is a beautiful haven for relaxation and recreation. Beautifully presented information signs share some of the site's history as a Chinese camp and later a gold mine. Click for more information...
Central Deborah Gold Mine, Bendigo VIC
Venture down into the underground tunnels of a real gold mine that operated during Bendigo's gold rush boom of the 1900's at Central Deborah Gold Mine. Central Deborah offers several guided underground tours, and boasts Australia's deepest mine tour at 228 metres underground with the Nine Levels of Darkness tour. Explore the fascinating museum, the blacksmith shop, check out the crusher and other machinery, pan for gold, and learn all about how the mine operated and what life was like for the miners. Click for more information...
Clydesdale State School and War Memorial, Clydesdale VIC
This gorgeous sandstone building was used as a school from 1867 until 1941, and is now restored and used as a public hall. An undercover information display tells of the school's history and features lots of interesting photographs and articles. A war memorial stands at the front of the site. Click for more information...
Cornish Hill - Thomas' Lookout
The Cornish Hill Reserve is an area of bushland within Daylesford which contains many substantial features of historical mining efforts. In the 1850s, thousands of prospectors arrived in the area to make their fortunes. Large scale mining operations commenced here in the 1860s and continued until the early 20th century. The historical features remaining throughout the reserve are from the 20th century mining operations, apart from a shallow open cut which may date back to the 1850s. Click for more information...
Creek Walk, Clunes VIC
Clunes' Creek Walk features a gorgeous picnic area at its beginning and a historic mine site at its end. The easy, scenic Creek Walk follows Creswick Creek through the lower part of Esmond Park. Click for more information...
Dunns Reef, Muckleford VIC
Before mining took place, Dunn's Reef was an exposed quartz reef protruding from the earth. From the late 1850s Dunn's Reef became an open cut quartz mine. Gold was extracted from the quartz by 'roasting' the material to soften it, then crushing it in huge stamp batteries. The crushed quartz was then washed to separate the gold. Day and night, loud stamping could be heard throughout the goldfields. Dunn's Reef is a short 120m return walk from Dunns Reef Track. The track splits in two about half way up, the track heading to the right takes you up to the mine, and the track to the left takes you to the remains of the loading ramp. Click for more information...
Eureka Stockade Memorial Gardens
The Eureka Stockade Memorial Gardens in Ballarat East commemorate one of Australia's most defining historical events - the Eureka Stockade Rebellion of December 3, 1854. The park is extensive and has many excellent features including a musical playground, fantastic barbecue and picnic facilities, sweeping green lawns, and a scenic lake and walking track. The beautiful gardens are also home to the Eureka Centre (formerly known as the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka), where the iconic Eureka Flag can be viewed, as well as a cafe. Click for more information...
Forest Creek Historic Gold Diggings, Castlemaine VIC
Bring a picnic lunch and take an easy stroll through the Forest Creek Historic Gold Diggings in Castlemaine for a fun and educational afternoon. A well formed, pram friendly, 400 metre walking track travels in a circuit around the site past many points of interest and detailed information signs. An ancient river bed, mine shafts, the engine shed, water pipes and machinery are among the many fascinating features of this short walk. Click for more information...
Grand Duke Mine, Timor VIC
Running through this reserve was one of Victoria's richest gold deep leads. From 1869 to 1896 this mine produced 216,000 ounces of gold, valued at over £885,000. The Timor area was mainly mined by the Duke and Timor Gold Mining Company, later known as Duchess of Timor, Duke, and Grand Duke. The mine here was renowned for the massive pumping engine it boasted. Imported from England, the massive Cornish pump was an improvement that was added in 1874. It had a 30 ton iron beam. There are information signs on site and plenty of bushland and mullock heaps to explore. Click for more information...
Inglewood Pioneers Memorial Park
This gorgeous little park on Verdon Street, Inglewood features several memorial monuments, including a creative installation commemorating the town's rich mining history. The mining monument is a must-see for anyone visiting Inglewood. It creatively displays items, photographs and details about the history, features and people of this remarkable old mining town. Click for more information...
Iron Mine and Blast Furnace, Lal Lal VIC
The iron mine and blast furnace is located in the Bungal Historical Area, a scenic 20 minute drive from Ballarat. You can view the blast furnace from a wooden platform with a railing, and there are several interesting information signs about the Lal Lal Iron Company, the blast furnace itself, the former blacksmith's shop, and the men who lived and worked there. Click for more information...
J Ward, Asylum for the Criminally Insane, Ararat VIC
Now a museum and tour complex, J Ward started out as a goldfields prison in the year 1861. When the gold rush faded in the 1880's, the buildings were transferred to the Ararat Lunatic Asylum and the gaol was converted into a ward for the criminally insane. Some of the most dangerous and deranged men in the state were housed here in horrific conditions. Today you can book daylight tours of J Ward and learn about the early history of the goldfields era and the later incarceration of the criminally insane. Daily tours are run by the Friends of J Ward Volunteers. You can also take night time tours of J Ward, where you can be incarcerated in the lunatic asylum, take a ghost tour, or become a ghost hunter for the night on a group paranormal investigation. Click for more information...
Lake Eppalock - Kimbolton Recreation Area, Eppalock VIC
This well equipped visitors area is located on the shore of Lake Eppalock within the Kimbolton Recreation Area. An excellent undercover barbecue area (with two barbecues) is accompanied by two seperate undercover picnic tables as well as more picnic tables scattered across a grassy area nearby. Multiple well presented signs at Lake Eppalock share the purpose, history and care of Lake Eppalock. Click for more information...
Lal Lal Falls, Lal Lal VIC
Lal Lal Falls is a spectacular seasonal waterfall near Ballarat with an impressive drop into a large, rocky gorge. The reserve, about 20 minutes from Ballarat, features a large grassy area, playground, picnic tables, toilets, and an undercover area containing one table, BBQs, seats and information boards. Click for more information...
Log Gaol, Carisbrook VIC
The Carisbrook Log Gaol was the major gaol in the extensive Carisbrook Police District until 1858, and it remained Carisbrook's gaol for low key offenders until about 1900. After serving as sluice boxes for horses, a wheat silo, and a fodder shed, "The Logs" was reinstated by the Carisbrook Historical society and Shire of Tullaroop as a reminder of the penal system of Victorian colonial times. Information signs are on display inside the gaol. Click for more information...
Long Point Bushland Reserve, Creswick VIC
The Long Point Bushland Reserve is a significant site due to its remarkable mix of remnant vegetation which has endured and regenerated itself after the extensive land disturbances of 19th century mining. A wander around the reserve takes you through gullies and gold diggings, an old mine site, extensive scatterings of quartz rock, and lots of beautiful old trees - there are a remarkable number of different tree species throughout this wild patch of bushland. A gravel parking area sits alongside Gillies Road, where you will find an attractive information sign and a narrow walking track heading off into the reserve. Click for more information...
Market Reserve Recreation Area, Carisbrook VIC
The Market Reserve Recreation Area is a fantastic public space in Carisbrook, featuring a playground, picnic area and barbecue facilities. The main entrance to the park is lined with beautiful information signs featuring intriguing pictures from the past. Click for more information...
Moliagul Campground, Moliagul VIC
This excellent campground in Moliagul is well equipped with an undercover BBQ area, picnic tables, toilets and rubbish bins. The Moliagul Campground features an interesting memorial to John Flynn, founder of the Flying Doctor Service, who was born in Moliagul in 1880. The remains of the Flynn home are across the road, opposite the John Flynn memorial. The area is extremely popular for gold prospecting and lies within the world renowned Golden Triangle. Click for more information...
Monster Meeting Site, Golden Point VIC
In this area on the Forest Creek Diggings in 1851, several thousand diggers met in protest, angered by an unfair mining licence fee imposed by the Government. Continued objections in regards to licencing on the goldfields led to the 1853 Red Ribbon Rebellion in Bendigo, and ultimately to the 1854 Eureka Stockade in Ballarat. Click for more information...
Moorabool Falls, Lal Lal VIC
Located just outside Ballarat and only a few minutes from the popular Lal Lal Falls, Moorabool Falls is reached via a 2.8 km walk through grassland with gorgeous views over the Lal Lal Reservoir along the way. Click for more information...
Morton's Welcome Inn, Waanyarra VIC
Morton's Welcome Inn was built by convict Michael Morton in 1850 as a replica of his home in Ireland. The building was a home for Morton's family of eight, a provisions store and also a public bar for miners (licenced 1866-83). The impressive stone building is still standing in the bush not far from Dunolly and is definitely a must-see. Click for more information...
North British Mine and Quartz Kilns, Maldon VIC
Explore the ruins of the North British Mine and Quartz Kilns in Maldon and enjoy a picnic lunch beneath the trees at the fantastic picnic area. The ruins are fascinating and quite extensive, and the quartz kilns are an excellent example of early mining techniques in Maldon. There are multiple illustrated information signs along the walk through the ruins, which offer details about the mine's operations and methods. Click for more information...
New Australasian No. 2 Gold Mine, Creswick VIC
The New Australasian No. 2 Deep Lead Gold Mine in Creswick is the scene of one of Australia's worst underground mining disasters. On the 11th of December 1882 forty one men entered the New Australasian No 2 mine to work a seemingly ordinary Monday night shift. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, 12th of December 1882, water flooded the mine from the old workings of Australasian No. 1 trapping twenty seven of the men underground. Rescue efforts commenced immediately but by the time the miners were reached three days later only five had survived. Click for more information...
Pennyweight Flat Childrens Cemetery
The Pennyweight Flat Children's Cemetery in Moonlight Flat is a heartbreaking result of the awful living conditions in the diggings during the gold rush of the 1850s. Around 200 shallow graves, most marked only by small stone rings and piles, are scattered amongst the trees. There's a gravel parking area, accessed from Colles Road, from which you can follow a well formed gravel walking track a short way over to the cemetery. Also alongside the parking area is the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. A fascinating and attractive information sign stands beside the walking track to the cemetery right near the car park. Another older sign stands by the gate to the cemetery itself. Click for more information...
Porcupine Flat Gold Dredge and Dragline, Maldon VIC
In Porcupine Flat (just outside Maldon) lies a fascinating relic - an abandoned gold dredge and dragline. There is a fire pit and picnic table on site, so pack a picnic lunch and get a close look at these massive, impressive old machines. Click for more information...
Port Phillip Mine, Clunes VIC
The Port Phillip Mine is located within Esmond Park, Clunes, alongside Scenic Drive. A sheltered, well presented information sign provides details about the mine's history as well as a collection of fascinating photographs. Click for more information...
Redbank Alpacas at Blue Gum Rise, Redbank VIC
This fantastic Alpaca farm is open to visitors in Redbank, Victoria, and offers the opportunity to feed, pet, and walk with their herd of twenty five (and counting!) gorgeous pedigree alpacas. Owners Debra and Andrew have been raising, breeding, and showing alpacas for several years and are very knowledgeable about their beautiful animals. Redbank Alpacas has developed a large educational space with multiple attractive and informative displays. Here you will learn about the history of alpacas in Australia and the uses of alpaca fleece. A large table covered with fleece from resident alpacas allows visitors to feel its incredible softness! Click for more information...
Red, White and Blue Recreation Area, Muckleford VIC
The Red, White and Blue Mine in the Muckleford State Forest is a fascinating place for a barbecue and bushwalk. The historic mine is a sight to behold, with an intact poppet head complete with winding wheels and remains of timberwork, a mine shaft, machinery site, mullock heap and dams. The poppet head was originally from the Bendigo Deborah United Mine. Click for more information...
Rise and Shine Nature Conservation Reserve, Strangways VIC
The Rise and Shine Nature Conservation Reserve, between Newstead and Daylesford, is a beautiful patch of bushland with an educational self guided tour. A walking track follows the path of an ancient river, and 21 numbered information points allow you to refer to your park notes (available in a container at the beginning of the walk) and learn about each feature. Discover native plants and animals, fascinating geological features, and the impact both animals and humans have had on the land. Click for more information...
Sailors Falls Mineral Spring, Sailors Falls VIC
Sailors Falls Mineral Spring is located just outside Daylesford, Victoria and features a stunning seasonal waterfall, mineral spring taps, two undercover picnic tables and excellent information signs/displays. Click for more information...
Sovereign Hill, Ballarat VIC
Visit Sovereign Hill's living museum and discover what life was like during Ballarat's 1850's gold rush! Sovereign Hill is a goldfields town complete with shops, hotels, schools, factories, a theatre, a gold diggings and underground mines to explore. Working exhibits are brought to life by fully costumed characters and over forty horses. There are several hotels and restaurants at Sovereign Hill which offer a traditional dining experience in unique Victorian settings. Cafe-style, contemporary and take-away foods also available. Click for more information...
Tilly Aston Memorial, Carisbrook VIC
This informative memorial in Carisbrook, Victoria commemorates the life and work of Tilly Aston, a remarkable woman born in Carisbrook in 1873. A gazebo containing many detailed information signs lies alongside a picnic table. The memorial lies within a grassy area alongside the Pyrenees Highway. Click for more information...
Toll Bar Park
Toll Bar Park is a well equipped picnic and play area in Lexton, Victoria. The park boasts a playground, undercover fenced toddler play space, undercover electric barbecues and picnic tables, ball court, toilets, historical relics and information signs. Click for more information...
Union Hill Gold Mine Lookout, Maldon VIC
The sturdy viewing platform is accessed via a short but steep set of stairs then a quick stroll down a gravel track. This lookout point offers excellent views of the current mine operations at the Union Hill Gold Mine in Maldon. Click for more information...
Vaughan Chinese Cemetery, Vaughan VIC
The Vaughan Chinese Cemetery was established during the great Mount Alexander alluvial gold rush of 1852-54. The cemetery is located on a small hill overlooking one of the richest spots on the goldfield (the junction of Fryers Creek and Loddon River). The location of the cemetery was chosen because it was a convenient piece of ground where gold was not likely to be discovered. It remained in use until 1857. Click for more information...
Vaughan Springs, Vaughan VIC
Formerly a large gold rush town called "The Junction", Vaughan Springs was a favoured alluvial gold and market gardening area for Chinese miners. Today you can visit the mineral springs and take a stroll along the beautiful Loddon River, sample the mineral water from provided taps or go for a swim, all to the beautiful sound of birds singing in the trees. The spectacular park features several free electric barbecues, picnic tables, a gazebo, a giant slide, mineral spring taps, a miniature railway, swimming spots, a few great trees for climbing, scenic walks, a miniature railway track within a fenced area (great for little kids), toilets and plenty of educational signs. Click for more information...
Waanyarra Historic Cemetery, Waanyarra VIC
Located not far from Dunolly, the Waanyarra Historic Cemetery offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. This cemetery has been beautifully restored and features a gorgeous picket fence, gate, and signage. The oldest surviving marked grave in this cemetery is from 1859, although there are many unmarked graves scattered through the grounds. Click for more information...
Welcome Stranger Monument and Picnic Area, Moliagul VIC
The Welcome Stranger monument and picnic area is a peaceful, fascinating and educational place to go for a barbecue or a picnic lunch. There is an intriguing bushwalk through the area where the famous Welcome Stranger gold nugget was discovered in 1869. Click for more information...
Yendon Township Information Display
Yendon began to grow following the opening of the Geelong-Ballarat Railway. The need to move passengers and freight to and from the station to Buninyong and surrounds gave the opportunity for many carters and associated traders to establish themselves along the road towards Buninyong. Yendon grew steadily, and at its peak boasted three hotels and two churches as well as a post office, police station and public hall. Other businesses included general stores, bakery, drapery, butcher, blacksmith and boot maker. However, by the second half of the 20th century the population began to decline as farms were sold and much of the population moved in search of employment. Today's Yendon maybe smaller, but is still a friendly, vibrant community. This beautiful series of information signs share the town's history and landscape. Click for more information...
Follow us on Facebook