Australia’s gold history runs deep, from early discovery to national transformation. The first major gold rushes of the 1800s to today’s thriving mining sector, gold has helped shape communities, fuelled economies, and define the character of our nation.

Entire towns rose from the red dirt, fortunes were made and lost, and generations of Australians found purpose and prosperity in the gold regions across the nation.

From preserved heritage sites and former diggings to historic mine tours and museums, gold tourism offers a powerful glimpse into the moments that helped build modern Australia. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an adventurer at heart, or simply keen to connect with the stories that shaped our past, each state offers unique golden experiences waiting to be explored.

Here’s how you can step back in time and follow the gold trail across the country.

Western Australia

Kalgoorlie Super Pit & Heart of Gold Discovery Trail

Western Australia is home to some of the richest gold deposits in the world, and no place captures the spirit of the gold rush quite like Kalgoorlie. Located in the heart of the Eastern Goldfields, Kalgoorlie-Boulder has been a gold mining hub since the 1890s and remains a vibrant centre of the industry today.

One of the region’s most iconic attractions is the KCGM Super Pit, one of the largest open-cut gold mines in the Southern Hemisphere. With viewing platforms offering sweeping views of the mine’s vast expanse, visitors can see firsthand the scale and power of modern gold mining. The Super Pit’s history dates back to Paddy Hannan’s famous gold discovery in 1893, and it continues to produce significant quantities of gold each year.

Heart of Gold Discovery Trails

To truly immerse yourself in WA’s golden history, download the Heart of Gold Australia app - a free, self-guided tour experience. Featuring interactive trails in both Perth and Kalgoorlie, the app brings local landmarks to life with augmented reality, fascinating stories, historical photos, and games that uncover the state’s gold rush heritage. It’s a fantastic way to explore gold’s past and present, whether you're a tourist, student or local explorer.

With its rich history and modern operations, Western Australia offers an unforgettable glimpse into gold’s enduring place in our national story.

Victoria

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

In Victoria, the gold rush spirit lives on at Sovereign Hill, a living museum in Ballarat. This award-winning heritage attraction recreates life in an 1850s mining town, complete with costumed characters, underground mine tours, and gold panning.

Just a short trip from Melbourne, it’s the perfect spot for families and history lovers to discover the boomtown days that transformed Victoria into a thriving colony. Want to step even deeper into history? Nearby Castlemaine and Bendigo also offer rich heritage trails and historic diggings to explore.

New South Wales

Hill End Historic Site

Venture into the Central Tablelands and you’ll find Hill End, one of NSW’s most important gold rush sites. Once a booming town of fortune seekers, it’s now a quiet, preserved reminder of the past.

Guided tours, historic buildings, and even active gold panning make Hill End a top stop on any gold tourism itinerary. Take a walk-through Bald Hill Mine or visit the Hill End Heritage Centre to uncover tales of hardship, discovery, and gold fever.

Queensland

Venus Gold Battery, Charters Towers

Once known as the “World” for its wealth, Charters Towers remains a treasure for gold history. Visit the Venus Gold Battery, Queensland’s oldest surviving battery and a symbol of the town’s mining past.

Guided tours show how ore was crushed and gold extracted, with original machinery still on display. The site also gives insights into the lives of the workers and pioneers who shaped the region during its heyday in the late 1800s.

South Australia

Jupiter Creek Diggings, Adelaide Hills

Not far from Adelaide sits Jupiter Creek, a former goldfield turned walking trail. These diggings were part of South Australia’s own gold rush in the 1850s, and today you can explore shafts, tunnels and mining relics on a self-guided walk-through bushland.

The area is accessible and family-friendly, making it a great outdoor activity for anyone interested in history or geology. Permits are available for fossicking too—so you might even strike some luck.

TAsmania

Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre

Tucked in the picturesque Tamar Valley, Beaconsfield tells a unique story of Tasmanian gold. The mine, made famous in recent decades for a dramatic rescue, also has a rich 19th-century gold heritage.

At the Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre, interactive exhibits and original machinery let visitors dig into the area’s past and the realities of underground mining. It's a powerful mix of history and community spirit.

Northern Territory

Pine Creek Mining Heritage Trail

Gold was first discovered in the NT in the 1870s, and Pine Creek was one of the first towns to boom. Today, the Pine Creek Mining Heritage Trail is a self-guided experience through preserved mining equipment, historic buildings, and interpretive signs.

The trail highlights the pioneering efforts that opened up the Territory and provides a unique outback adventure for modern explorers.

Ready to Start Your Gold Adventure?

Australia’s gold rush may have happened over a century ago, but its legacy is everywhere—from the mines that built cities to the museums that preserve the past. Whether you're following a self-guided trail or panning for gold in a historic creek, gold tourism is a unique way to connect with the stories that helped shape our nation.

Golden Adventures: Explore Australia’s Rich Gold Heritage through Tourism