Mafeking Goldfield Map – Hunt for Gold in Victoria’s Last Great Rush

 

Step into the site of Victoria’s final major gold rush with the detailed Mafeking Goldfield prospecting map. Nestled at the southern edge of the Grampians National Park, Mafeking was the scene of a short but intense rush at the turn of the 20th century, famous for its coarse nuggets, rich shallow leads, and untouched potential.

 

🪙 Historical Overview: Mafeking – Victoria’s Last Great Goldfield

Gold was discovered at Mafeking in 1900, and although late compared to Victoria’s 1850s rushes, it sparked one of the last major gold rushes in the colony’s history. Hundreds of hopeful diggers flocked to the field almost overnight, attracted by reports of large, coarse nuggets found in shallow ground.

Unlike many earlier goldfields, Mafeking was predominantly an alluvial field, with gold found in shallow gravels, ancient creek beds, and high terraces—often just a few feet below the surface. Although initial returns were rich, the remote location and limited water supply meant large-scale mining never fully developed.

The field quickly declined after a few years, but the ground was never worked to exhaustion.

 

✨ Notable Finds & Field Highlights

Numerous large nuggets, some over 10 ounces, were found during the 1900–1902 rush

Gold was typically coarse and waterworn, ideal for metal detecting today

Shallow depth—often less than 1 metre over clay or bedrock in the best areas

Auriferous ground includes old creek beds, gravel terraces, and slight rises overlooking flats

Historic reports describe "patches" where multiple ounces were recovered in a single afternoon

 

⚠️ Access & Fossicking Information

The Mafeking goldfield lies mainly on crown land and state forest adjoining the Grampians National Park. Unfortunately, fossicking in the Grampians National Park (which includes Mafeking) is illegal. This map is purely for historical education.

 

The Mafeking (Mount William) Goldfield Map 1913:

https://viewer.slv.vic.gov.au/?entity=IE15495124&mode=browse