Welcome Stranger Field Trip, Moliagul

The Welcome Stranger Monument and Picnic Area in Moliagul, Victoria is a peaceful, fascinating and educational place to go for a barbecue or a picnic lunch. This site has great historical significance as it is the spot where the Welcome Stranger gold nugget (largest alluvial gold nugget discovered in the world) was unearthed in 1869.

The Welcome Stranger Discovery Walk is 850 metres long, a half hour circuit track. The walking track travels around the surrounding bushland and takes you past many interesting examples of former alluvial and reef mining efforts. You will walk by the house sites of John Deason and Richard Oates (the two miners who discovered the Welcome Stranger nugget), puddlers, a Chinese grave and the site of a Chinese camp. 

A large stone obelisk with a fence around it commemorates the discovery of the Welcome Stranger gold nugget, and there's a beautifully presented information sign with plenty of interesting details about the discovery and the lives of the lucky miners who found it. 

The main picnic area is well equipped and includes picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, running water (not drinkable) and an undercover area. There is a second picnic area partway along the walking track which features a picnic table and a wood fire barbecue.

Camping is available, there are a few nice spots to pitch tents and good caravan access. Keep in mind that there are no toilets at this site, but there is a toilet block a short drive away at the Moliagul Campground.