The Forest Creek Gold Diggings between Castlemaine and Chewton, Vic has an informative walk to help visitors understand how gold was extracted in days gone by. Alluvial gold was first panned in the 1850’s in the creek here before the rush was on to stake eight foot by eight foot claims on surrounding Red Hill and White Hill. Over time methods for water sluicing were developed and the earth of the hills was blasted with crude water cannons. Sophisticated sluicing operations ceased in 1954. The evidence of sluicing can be clearly seen when walking around the area. It is hard to imagine that there were once thousands of people working on this the Mount Alexander goldfield.
More fascinating information on gold mining in this region can be found at http://www.fomad.org.au/forest-creek-diggings.html
itchingforhitching 
Were you tempted to do a little fossicking?
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As the descendant of a whole bunch of coal and gold miners I have difficulty keeping a lid on what could become an addiction! Tempted yes.
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You’ll know that there’s far more searching than finding then.
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Oh yeah.
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That place is a hidden treasure, isn’t it! So much fantastic old equipment as well as the diggings. Anyone interested in learning about gold mining in the Chewton area should visit these old diggings.
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I liked the fact that there was no fuss, no charge, just wander about at your leisure.
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A nice rugged set
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A hard life, often for little reward!
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I wonder what percentage of folk in those gold rushes actually found enough gold to set themselves up for a better life?
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Brought back memories of my wanderings around there in my explorations of the area last year.
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Such an interesting area of Victoria.
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