Historical and Other Notes

Little more than an hour's drive from Melbourne and set in the Brisbane Ranges National Park , Steiglitz Historic Park is a window back in time to Victoria's Gold Rush of 1850-90s . Situated between Geelong and Ballarat , Steiglitz is almost a ghost town today but from 1860 to 1890s it was a busy goldmining township with hotels, shops, churches and a population of over 1000. At the height of the 1860s gold rush, Steiglitz township had more than 1500 residents, four hotels, a newspaper, a variety of shops and even an undertaker! Now most of the town and its surroundings are included in the Steiglitz Historic Park. Enjoy a pleasant bushwalk, relax with a picnic or pan for gold. Of course, a trip to the park wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Steiglitz Court House, with its display of photographs, maps and relics of gold year. The court house is open on Sunday and public holidays, and at other times by arrangement. Make sure you visit Steiglitz and wander the ghost-tow...