Venture deep into the untouched high country of Victoria’s East Gippsland with our exclusive Dead Horse Creek Goldfield prospecting map, covering a little-known but auriferous region within the County of Benambra. Surrounded by steep ridges, weathered granite, and crystal-clear alpine streams, Dead Horse Creek is a goldfield with a short documented history—but a long-standing reputation among those in the know for producing coarse alluvial gold, nuggets, and gold-bearing quartz reefs.
Hidden between the better-known fields of Benambra, Cassilis, and Mittamatite, this forgotten field still holds golden potential for those ready to explore beyond the main tracks.
Gold was first discovered in the Dead Horse Creek area in the late 1800s, with small groups of miners and bush prospectors working the creek gravels, terraces, and narrow gullies feeding into the Mitta Mitta system. Though never the site of a full-scale rush, historical reports indicate steady gold production from shallow drift and occasional quartz veins—mostly carried out by lone diggers and seasonal crews.
Due to its isolation and rugged access, much of the ground was never thoroughly worked, and several reef prospects were abandoned before full development. This has left the Dead Horse Creek area virtually untouched by modern detectors or systematic exploration.
Waterworn nuggets and coarse flakes found in creek gravels and gutter leads
Gravels enriched with black sands, ironstone pebbles, and quartz fragments
Nearby hills and ridges contain small quartz reefs with visible gold reported in hand-crushed ore
Alluvial workings are shallow—many areas still contain virgin ground and undisturbed floodplains
Remains of old bush camps, sluice trenches, and hand-stacked stones trace back to the late 19th century
Modern gold detectorists seeking unworked alpine terrain
Bush prospectors chasing nuggety alluvial gold and bench gravels
History buffs exploring remote, undocumented Victorian diggings
Adventurers seeking solitude, scenery, and a real shot at forgotten gold
Dead Horse Creek lies within a mix of state forest, high-country crown land, and some pastoral leasehold. Most of the fossicking areas along the creek are legally accessible with a Victorian Miner’s Right, but always check for local land tenure and avoid national park boundaries. Access may require hiking or 4WD along fire trails—perfect for those ready to get off-grid.
Discover One of Victoria’s Last True Hidden Goldfields – With the Dead Horse Creek goldfield prospecting map, you’ll gain the edge in locating untouched diggings, forgotten reefs, and creek beds that still whisper with the promise of gold. If you're tired of hammered ground and crowded sites, this alpine field is your golden escape.
https://viewer.slv.vic.gov.au/?entity=IE23155078&mode=browse