Get ready to step back in time and uncover the golden stories that shaped this piece of Queensland history. The True Blue Visitor Information Centre is your trusty guide to navigating these parts, offering maps and insights for an Outback adventure.
The Croydon Goldfields, filled with more history than a campfire yarn, are where the spirit of fortune seekers and tough-as-nails pioneers still hangs in the air. Take a stroll through the remnants of the old mining town, where dreams of striking it rich drew people from all over the world. The landscape itself tells tales of grit and determination, with miners sweating under that blazing Outback sun in the hunt for precious gold.
This slice of Queensland history isn't just about shiny nuggets – it's about the challenges faced by those dreamers in their quest for wealth. Explore the preserved mining sites, catch sight of the rusty relics of machinery that once echoed with the sounds of hard work, and soak in the stories etched into this rugged land.
Croydon is committed to keeping the spirit of those pioneers alive, and the Goldfields stand as a testament to their tenacity. The True Blue Visitor Information Centre is your go-to for navigating this historical treasure trove, making sure your visit is as enlightening as it is awe-inspiring.
For more info on the Croydon Goldfields and to plan your Outback adventure, get in touch with the True Blue Visitor Information Centre:
Phone: (07) 4748 7152
Email: info@croydon.qld.gov.au
If a cubic block of gold 3.73 cm of each side weighs one kilo, imagine the size of a block weighing 23,675 kilos.
The Croydon goldfield, produced at least 23,675 kilos (761,167 fine ounces) of gold and 25,008 kilos (804,023 fine ounces) of silver between 1886 and 1935. Most of this was recovered between 1886 and 1906, and from an area of about 645 square kilometres.
There were at least 110 mines on the Croydon goldfiled. The main ones were Golden Gate (the biggest), Tabletop, Golden Valley, Mountain Maid, Goldstone ('the 12 Mile"), Homeward Bound, and, in Croydon itself, Iguana Hill, Lady Mary, The Queen and Highland Mary.
Croydon gold lay in reefs - it was not found on the surface, so miners had to go underground for it. But it was generally not very deep - the deepeest mine on the Croydon filed went down 1367 feed (417 metres) at Golden Gate.
The Croydon field began to run down by 1909 and when the miners left for World War I many of the mines fillded with water and never reopened.
Today, as you wander through the rugged landscape of this golden town, the remnants of its rich history are undeniable. You will encounter old machinery and mine shafts along your journey. For security reasons, those mine shafts are fenced off, but you may be able to catch a glimpse into the darkness where stories of the past have formed.
