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Sunday 25th of February, 2018
This family day will utilise the historic Goldmines Hotel in Bendigo as a base for nearby historical and geological tours. Choose your tours from the list below or simply relax with a glass of wine for a few hours to music in the hotel beer garden. Three tours will run at nearby iconic historic mining sites.
If booking to attend multiple tours, please ensure your reserved do not clash with other scheduled tour times.
Victoria Hill | 10:30am | – | 1:30pm | – | – | – |
Central Deborah | 10:30am | – | 1:30pm | – | – | – |
Fortuna Mansion | – | – | – | – | 3:30pm | – |
Goldmines Hotel | – | Lunch | – | Afternoon tea | – | Dinner |
Location of tour sites for the AIG Iconic Mine Sites tour of Bendigo
Opposite Goldmines Hotel, 49-57 Marong Rd, Golden Square VIC 3555
Victoria Hill is in the centre of the famous Bendigo goldfield and contained some of the first mines reefs. Approximately 500,000 oz of gold was won up to 1912 from the first mine to find payable gold below 2,000’ (610 m) and the deepest mine in the world at the time (1,406 m). The first one pound depicts miners working underground stopes from the area.
The small open cuts in the historic reserve display text-book examples of folds, faults and veining that typify turbidite hosted mineralisation. The site is often visited on university field trips due to the excellent exposures.
The first part of the tour will focus on the historical features of the historic reserve to cater for non-geoscientists who are then free to enjoy a coffee at the Goldmines Hotel across the road. The remainder of the tour will focus on the nature of the folding and the development of the faults and auriferous veins.
22-48 Chum St, Bendigo VIC 3550
George Lansell (1823-1906) was once the richest men in the world and much of his success came at Victoria Hill. In 1871 he purchased Fortuna Villa and nearby mines. With his continuing success in deep mining, Lansell undertook major extensions to his home, and continued the expansion and decoration of Fortuna until his death almost 40 years later. Fortuna Villa remains remarkably intact as a house even though it has served as a busy workplace for 65 years. Stained glass, elaborate ceilings, grand cedar and blackwood staircase, solid marble baths, extensive acid-etched glasswork (conservatory)are some of the architectural features that contribute to the outstanding ‘feel’ of the structure. The Fortuna grounds cover some 7.57 ha. and feature an ornamental lake, garden, a ‘Roman-Bath’ and the ‘Pompeii Fountain’. The original quartz-crushing battery building, stables and coach house remain close to the main villa. The magnificent villa itself is the aspirational centerpiece to this remarkable property. It is set in botanic-style gardens featuring established trees.
The AIG have been granted a special opportunity for a guided tour of the Fortuna Villa. Booking is essential – please email Rodney Boucher at rodney@linex.com.au with your name, contact number, email, and number of reservations to secure your place.
76 Violet St, Bendigo VIC 3550
The Central Deborah gold mine was one of the last to cease production in Bendigo in 1954 and has been preserved and open for a variety of surface and underground tours. The tourist mine offers a variety of differing tours throughout the days of varying length and price. Please refer to the Central Deborah www.central-deborah.com site to select your tour.
49-57 Marong Rd, Golden Square VIC 3550
The Goldmines Hotel dates back to 1857 and prospered opposite Victoria Hill and surrounding gold mines. The current hotel design was completed in 1872.
The Goldmines Hotel is open for lunch and dinner on the day of the tour. The hotel opens at 11:00 AM and has a blues band playing in the beer garden between 3:00 and 6:00 PM.
The Goldmines hotel is a central base for the three tour sites visited throughout the day.
Price – the day is free, admission to some tours is required.
Victoria Hill guided walking tour
Admission is free, however bookings are essential – please email Rodney Boucher at rodney@linex.com.au with your name, contact number, email, tour time preference and number of reservations to secure your place.
Fortuna Mansion guided tour
Admission is $30/person. Cash payments will be collected on the day. Bookings are essential as places are limited – please email Rodney Boucher at rodney@linex.com.au with your name, contact number, email and number of reservations to secure your place.
Central Deborah Gold Mine guided tour
Various tour options available. Please book and pay online through the www.central-deborah.com website at least 24 hours before the day to guarantee your place on the tour. (Reminder: If intending to attend other tours, please ensure that the booking you reserve does not clash with other scheduled tours.)
For more information, please contact Rodney Boucher at rodney@linex.com.au.
Download the event flyer here.