Grounded in Truth: Reading the Country at Contact
This self-drive tour enables visitors to access a range of important sites in Hepburn Shire where there is evidence of contact from the late 1830s between the Dja Dja Wurrung First People and the invading pastoralists – including John Hepburn, after whom the surrounding shire is named.
Download a guide(PDF, 4MB)
Creswick Buried Rivers of Gold
The discovery of 'deep lead' gold below Broomfield Gully in 1872 began the much-needed revival of mining in Creswick, which was in slow decline after the gold rushes of the mid 1850s. Government geologists had previously regarded the basaltic plains of the area as nonauriferous (containing no gold), so the discovery of a new gold source aroused great speculation. As it turned out, the pioneering age of the prospector's pan and cradle was over. Gold mining at an industrial scale had arrived!
Explore the historic goldfields around Creswick on this fascinating self-drive experience, which encompasses more than 50 heritage sites, attractions, and points of interest. Start at Creswick Visitor Information Centre, where you will need to collect a comprehensive map and guide. From there, follow the Buried Rivers of Gold route, which extends for 30 kilometres and will take you about 90 minutes to complete. Allow extra time to stop and read the interpretive signage at many of the main sites.
There are five stops on the route that are on the roadside, so please take care, pull well off the road, and remain in your vehicle. Creswick Visitor Information Centre is located at 41 - 43 Albert Street, Creswick, and is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm