Chewton

You’ll dig it

Just a short drive from Castlemaine is the charming and historically significant town of Chewton. Once one of the richest gold-mining locations in Victoria, it is now the perfect jumping-off point to explore some of the many interesting relics from those days’ past.

Start at the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, the largest historical mining landscape in Australia. There are house sites and puddling machines, gold mines and gullies that once produced small fortunes. There is great birdwatching in the area, as well as picnic areas at Vaughan Mineral Springs and Kalimna Point. Also in the park are walks to the Garfield Water Wheel, once considered the largest in the southern hemisphere, and Pennyweight Flat Cemetery. Throughout the diggings there are still sites where you can try your luck prospecting.

On of the outskirts of Chewton is the Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation & Wildlife Education Centre, a sanctuary for native animals including koalas, kangaroos, reptiles, birds and, of course, dingoes. Back in town, the Chewton Pool is popular in summer.

Head to the Red Hill Hotel, one the area’s most popular pubs. Open Thursday to Sunday, it serves up good times – it often hosts gigs from local and international musicians – and great food.