Engrossing History and Exquisite Galleries
Australia’s gold rush of the 1850s and 1860s was a time of great excitement and activity and its significance cannot be understated. It transformed Victoria, and vibrant regional centres sprung up at a rapid rate. This legacy lives on – tangible reminders of these glory days are scattered throughout the Goldfields region.
Whatever interest or experience inspires your break, BIG4 Holiday Parks offers family-friendly cabin accommodation, caravan sites, and camping in the Goldfields region in Ballarat, Bendigo, and Castlemaine.
Parks in the Goldfields area
When unearthing the region's many delights and retracing its engrossing past, start at Ballarat. The city is home to Sovereign Hill; described as a ‘living museum’, it cleverly retraces those golden days with a series of enthralling activities and attractions. You can even try your luck panning for gold.
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka is another vital Goldfields attraction. Its main theme is democracy and it uses the powerful Eureka Stockade event as its basis.
In Bendigo, head underground on an engrossing Central Deborah Gold Mine tour, learn about the Chinese link to the gold rush at the Golden Dragon Museum, and ride on the vintage ‘talking tram’ to indulge in more Goldfields history.
The regional art galleries of both Ballarat and Bendigo are sensational. So too is Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum. This cute town is also home to must-visit Buda Historic Home & Garden.
Striking historical buildings are everywhere. Large centres are dominated by grand structures, but smaller towns are just as impressive. Maldon has the 'most intact heritage streetscape', according to the National Trust, and Maryborough’s railway station is not to be missed. Self-guided heritage walking trails are available throughout the Goldfields.
Away from the precious metal is a form of liquid gold – winning wine. Bendigo, Ballarat, and Heathcote are all sparkling wine regions in the Goldfields region.
