Goldfields

The Goldfields region covers a specific area of north-central Victoria, the major cities of Ballarat and Bendigo as well as the smaller centres of Daylesford, Castlemaine and Maryborough. It extends as far north as Inglewood and St Arnaud, and encroaches on the Western District near Ararat. Other significant towns include Maldon, Creswick, Clunes, Avoca and Buninyong.

Goldfields Map

Due to its strong association with the Victorian gold rush, the region contains a significant number of heritage-registered buildings that are fine examples of Victorian architecture. Many towns are far smaller now than during their boom times, with some becoming derelict and forsaken as ghost towns. The area retains a significant gold mining industry, with fossicking remaining a popular activity.

The region has a well-defined road tourist route. Major tourism icons include Sovereign Hill, Eureka Stockade site and the Bendigo Talking Tram. It is a wine growing region with a large number of established vineyards and popular wineries.

Historically, the region is the place of origin for the Australian rules football, the indigenous tradition of marngrook and the Irish immigrant pastime of caid. Though its Box-Ironbark forest is now much fragmented and cleared, it is still an important ecosystem for the conservation of many birds and other animals.