GPIC Special Event – Family day – historical & geological tours of iconic Bendigo mining sites

Australian Institute of Geoscientists > Events > GPIC Special Event – Family day – historical & geological tours of iconic Bendigo mining sites

GPIC Special Event – Family day – historical & geological tours of iconic Bendigo mining sites


GPIC Special Event

Family day – historical & geological tours of iconic Bendigo mining sites

Sunday 25th of February, 2018

 

Summary

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.

  • Guided walking tour of the Victoria Hill historic gold mining reserve
  • A special guided tour of the historic Fortuna Mansion once owned by the world’s richest man and mining magnate, George Lansell (tour charges apply)
  • Guided tours of the Central Deborah Gold Mine (tour charges apply)

 

Timetable

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

Location of tour sites for the AIG Iconic Mine Sites tour of Bendigo

 

 


 

Victoria Hill guided walking tour

Opposite Goldmines Hotel, 49-57 Marong Rd, Golden Square VIC 3555

  • Tour times 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Duration: 90 minutes for the full geological tour, the first 30 minutes is a general historical tour for non-geologists.
  • Parking available at the site opposite the Goldmines Hotel. Meet at the car park at 10:25 AM and 1:25 PM. Location map
  • Please wear sturdy shoes.
  • 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.
About the tour

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.

 


 

Fortuna Mansion guided tour

22-48 Chum St, Bendigo VIC 3550

  • Tour time 3:30 PM. Duration 2 hours.
  • Parking available inside the gate. Meet at the Guard House at 3:30 PM. Location map
  • 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.
About the tour

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.

 


 

Central Deborah Gold Mine guided tour

76 Violet St, Bendigo VIC 3550

  • Various tour options available, refer Central Deborah www.central-deborah.com site for tour options, times, duration and prices.
  • The day is set up to fit around times for the popular 75 minute Mine Experience Tour at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Other times for this tour are 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
  • Parking available close to the mine. Location map
  • Cost varies with the tour type. 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.)
About the tour

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.

 


 

Goldmines Hotel

49-57 Marong Rd, Golden Square VIC 3550

  • Relax for morning or afternoon tea, lunch or dinner at the Historic Goldmines hotel. The hotel has a restaurant and a beer garden with Blues Bands playing on Sundays.
  • Parking available at Victoria Hill opposite the hotel. Location map
  • Cost: Purchase your food and beverages at the hotel.
About the hotel

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.

 


Registrations

Price – the day is free, admission to some tours is required.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS.

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.)

 

 

More information

For more information, please contact Rodney Boucher at rodney@linex.com.au.
Download the event flyer here.