Related Stories
- Pomp and circumstance
- Travel trends for 2017: Where should you venture next?
- 5 things to love about Mackay
- An introduction to the Cotswolds
- Cruisy summer days
Most Popular
Notice (8): Undefined variable: most_viewed_stories [APP/views/stories/probus-display.ctp, line 49]Code | Context<?phpecho View::element('probus-stories-list', array('stories'=>$most_viewed_stories, 'mode'=>'most-popular','limit'=>4));$___viewFn = "/home/probus/domains/stagingblueplains/app-public/views/stories/probus-display.ctp" $___dataForView = array( "nextstoryurl" => "/e47442fb", "publication" => array( "Story" => array(), "Publication" => array(), "Tag" => array(), "Tags" => array() ), "story_tagline" => "", "story" => array( "Story" => array(), "Publication" => array(), "Tag" => array(), "Tags" => array() ), "related_stories" => array( array(), array(), array(), array(), array() ) ) $loadHelpers = true $cached = false $cache = CacheHelper CacheHelper::$__replace = array CacheHelper::$__match = array CacheHelper::$cacheAction = NULL CacheHelper::$helpers = NULL CacheHelper::$base = "" CacheHelper::$webroot = "/" CacheHelper::$theme = NULL CacheHelper::$here = "/229e380e/Pan_for_gold" CacheHelper::$params = array CacheHelper::$action = "display" CacheHelper::$plugin = NULL CacheHelper::$data = NULL CacheHelper::$namedArgs = NULL CacheHelper::$argSeparator = NULL CacheHelper::$validationErrors = NULL CacheHelper::$tags = array CacheHelper::$__tainted = NULL CacheHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $authentication = AuthenticationHelper AuthenticationHelper::$sessionKey = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$helpers = array AuthenticationHelper::$view = View object AuthenticationHelper::$base = "" AuthenticationHelper::$webroot = "/" AuthenticationHelper::$theme = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$here = "/229e380e/Pan_for_gold" AuthenticationHelper::$params = array AuthenticationHelper::$action = "display" AuthenticationHelper::$plugin = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$data = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$namedArgs = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$argSeparator = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$validationErrors = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$tags = array AuthenticationHelper::$__tainted = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$__cleaned = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$Session = SessionHelper object $javascript = JavascriptHelper JavascriptHelper::$useNative = true JavascriptHelper::$enabled = true JavascriptHelper::$safe = false JavascriptHelper::$tags = array JavascriptHelper::$_blockOptions = array JavascriptHelper::$_cachedEvents = array JavascriptHelper::$_cacheEvents = false JavascriptHelper::$_cacheToFile = false JavascriptHelper::$_cacheAll = false JavascriptHelper::$_rules = array JavascriptHelper::$__scriptBuffer = NULL JavascriptHelper::$helpers = NULL JavascriptHelper::$base = "" JavascriptHelper::$webroot = "/" JavascriptHelper::$theme = NULL JavascriptHelper::$here = "/229e380e/Pan_for_gold" JavascriptHelper::$params = array JavascriptHelper::$action = "display" JavascriptHelper::$plugin = NULL JavascriptHelper::$data = NULL JavascriptHelper::$namedArgs = NULL JavascriptHelper::$argSeparator = NULL JavascriptHelper::$validationErrors = NULL JavascriptHelper::$__tainted = NULL JavascriptHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $eHtml = eHtmlHelper eHtmlHelper::$helpers = array eHtmlHelper::$viewVars = array eHtmlHelper::$tags = array eHtmlHelper::$_crumbs = array eHtmlHelper::$__includedScripts = array eHtmlHelper::$_scriptBlockOptions = array eHtmlHelper::$__docTypes = array eHtmlHelper::$base = "" eHtmlHelper::$webroot = "/" eHtmlHelper::$theme = NULL eHtmlHelper::$here = "/229e380e/Pan_for_gold" eHtmlHelper::$params = array eHtmlHelper::$action = "display" eHtmlHelper::$plugin = NULL eHtmlHelper::$data = NULL eHtmlHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eHtmlHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eHtmlHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eHtmlHelper::$__tainted = NULL eHtmlHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eHtmlHelper::$eForm = eFormHelper object eHtmlHelper::$javascript = JavascriptHelper object eHtmlHelper::$Authentication = AuthenticationHelper object $eJavascript = eJavascriptHelper eJavascriptHelper::$helpers = array eJavascriptHelper::$useNative = true eJavascriptHelper::$enabled = true eJavascriptHelper::$safe = false eJavascriptHelper::$tags = array eJavascriptHelper::$_blockOptions = array eJavascriptHelper::$_cachedEvents = array eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheEvents = false eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheToFile = false eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheAll = false eJavascriptHelper::$_rules = array eJavascriptHelper::$__scriptBuffer = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$base = "" eJavascriptHelper::$webroot = "/" eJavascriptHelper::$theme = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$here = "/229e380e/Pan_for_gold" eJavascriptHelper::$params = array eJavascriptHelper::$action = "display" eJavascriptHelper::$plugin = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$data = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$__tainted = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$eHtml = eHtmlHelper object $eForm = eFormHelper eFormHelper::$helpers = array eFormHelper::$fieldset = array eFormHelper::$__options = array eFormHelper::$fields = array eFormHelper::$requestType = NULL eFormHelper::$defaultModel = NULL eFormHelper::$_inputDefaults = array eFormHelper::$base = "" eFormHelper::$webroot = "/" eFormHelper::$theme = NULL eFormHelper::$here = "/229e380e/Pan_for_gold" eFormHelper::$params = array eFormHelper::$action = "display" eFormHelper::$plugin = NULL eFormHelper::$data = NULL eFormHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eFormHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eFormHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eFormHelper::$tags = array eFormHelper::$__tainted = NULL eFormHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eFormHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $tagCloud = TagCloudHelper TagCloudHelper::$helpers = array TagCloudHelper::$base = "" TagCloudHelper::$webroot = "/" TagCloudHelper::$theme = NULL TagCloudHelper::$here = "/229e380e/Pan_for_gold" TagCloudHelper::$params = array TagCloudHelper::$action = "display" TagCloudHelper::$plugin = NULL TagCloudHelper::$data = NULL TagCloudHelper::$namedArgs = NULL TagCloudHelper::$argSeparator = NULL TagCloudHelper::$validationErrors = NULL TagCloudHelper::$tags = array TagCloudHelper::$__tainted = NULL TagCloudHelper::$__cleaned = NULL TagCloudHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $html = HtmlHelper HtmlHelper::$tags = array HtmlHelper::$_crumbs = array HtmlHelper::$__includedScripts = array HtmlHelper::$_scriptBlockOptions = array HtmlHelper::$__docTypes = array HtmlHelper::$helpers = NULL HtmlHelper::$base = "" HtmlHelper::$webroot = "/" HtmlHelper::$theme = NULL HtmlHelper::$here = "/229e380e/Pan_for_gold" HtmlHelper::$params = array HtmlHelper::$action = "display" HtmlHelper::$plugin = NULL HtmlHelper::$data = NULL HtmlHelper::$namedArgs = NULL HtmlHelper::$argSeparator = NULL HtmlHelper::$validationErrors = NULL HtmlHelper::$__tainted = NULL HtmlHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $form = FormHelper FormHelper::$helpers = array FormHelper::$fieldset = array FormHelper::$__options = array FormHelper::$fields = array FormHelper::$requestType = NULL FormHelper::$defaultModel = NULL FormHelper::$_inputDefaults = array FormHelper::$base = "" FormHelper::$webroot = "/" FormHelper::$theme = NULL FormHelper::$here = "/229e380e/Pan_for_gold" FormHelper::$params = array FormHelper::$action = "display" FormHelper::$plugin = NULL FormHelper::$data = NULL FormHelper::$namedArgs = NULL FormHelper::$argSeparator = NULL FormHelper::$validationErrors = NULL FormHelper::$tags = array FormHelper::$__tainted = NULL FormHelper::$__cleaned = NULL FormHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $session = SessionHelper SessionHelper::$helpers = array SessionHelper::$__active = true SessionHelper::$valid = false SessionHelper::$error = false SessionHelper::$_userAgent = "8611eabdb1aa7cc20f419da71363daa3" SessionHelper::$path = "/" SessionHelper::$lastError = NULL SessionHelper::$security = "medium" SessionHelper::$time = 1747800906 SessionHelper::$sessionTime = 1747812906 SessionHelper::$cookieLifeTime = false SessionHelper::$watchKeys = array SessionHelper::$id = NULL SessionHelper::$host = NULL SessionHelper::$timeout = NULL SessionHelper::$base = "" SessionHelper::$webroot = "/" SessionHelper::$here = "/229e380e/Pan_for_gold" SessionHelper::$params = array SessionHelper::$action = "display" SessionHelper::$data = NULL SessionHelper::$theme = NULL SessionHelper::$plugin = NULL $nextstoryurl = "/e47442fb" $publication = array( "Story" => array( "id" => "1144", "publication_id" => "2", "tag_id" => "59", "headline" => "Pan for gold", "headline_home" => "Pan for gold", "headline_index" => "Pan for gold", "meta_keywords" => "gold rush, goldfields, victoria, travel", "home_spotlight" => "/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_carousel.jpg", "home_spotlight_mini" => "/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_tile.jpg", "home_feature" => "", "home_tag" => "/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_thumbnail.jpg", "index_mini" => "", "index_result" => "/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_thumbnail.jpg", "gallery" => null, "gallery_captions" => null, "gallery_hide" => "0", "embed_spotlight" => "0", "status" => "0", "published" => "2013-04-11 00:00:00", "byline" => "Jessica Goulburn", "tagline" => null, "intro_short" => "<p>Experience Australia’s rich gold rush heritage in the Goldfields region of Victoria. </p>", "intro_long" => "<p>Experience Australia’s rich gold rush heritage as you take in the sites of the Goldfields region of Victoria. </p>", "body" => "<p><img style="float: left; padding-right: 15px; margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 6px;" src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_embed_440_400.jpg" alt="" width="440" height="400" />Strip bark, saw trees, dig roads and immerse yourself ankle-deep in water panning for the piece of gold that will make you rich. Such was the life of a gold digger.</p> <p>The gold rush brought people from all over the world, searching for their 'wealthily ever after', resulting in a population boom for Victoria and Australia.</p> <p>In Victoria, the Goldfields region encompasses the northern central section of the state including the major cities of Ballarat and Bendigo as well as the smaller centres of Daylesford, Castlemaine and Maryborough, going as far north as Inglewood.</p> <p>The architecture reflects the region’s rich gold rush history with exquisite gardens and grand public buildings.</p> <h2>Bendigo</h2> <p>It has been said that Bendigo is one the most magnificent mid-19<sup>th</sup> century cities in Victoria. Obvious pride, remarkable buildings and elegant villas give you a sense of the affluence that descended on the town as a result of the gold rush.</p> <p>Bendigo had the largest goldfield in Victoria, extending over 360 square kilometres with 35 reefs.</p> <p>Fine art is housed in miners’ cottages as well as the Bendigo Art Gallery and the Central Deborah Mine shaft has been fully restored as a working exhibit to visit.</p> <h2>Ballarat</h2> <p><strong></strong>Victoria’s largest inland city was born out of the gold rush. One of the greatest dramas in Australian history occurred during the gold rush with the Eureka Stockade remaining the only armed civil uprising against the government in Australia.</p> <p>Contemporary Ballarat showcases the town’s historic roots with a blend of modern culture. Make sure you visit the Royal Hotel where Mark Twain and Prince Alfred once slept, and the wineries that surround the town.</p> <p>However, perhaps what Ballarat is most famous for is Sovereign Hill, recreating an old gold mining town where you can see a demonstration of colonial bread making and blacksmiths creating shoes, watch in awe as an old fashioned printer prints a newspaper and you can even pan for gold.</p> <p>Learn more about <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/3be9da25/Ballarat__not_just_a_gold_rush_town" target="_blank">Ballarat</a>.</p> <h2>Castlemaine</h2> <p><strong></strong>Situated between Bendigo and Ballarat, Castlemaine sits in a valley at the junction of three creeks. The historic streetscapes serve as a reminder of the town’s gold mining days with magnificent cultural buildings and fabulous architectural gems adorning the sidewalks.</p> <p>Wander through the home of Buda, a silversmith during the gold rush and meander through the beautiful gardens.</p> <p>There’s also the Castlemaine Gaol, built to house offenders during the gold rush era. Since it was closed in 1990, the gaol has been converted into a tourist attraction and hotel.</p> <p>Also well worth a visit is the Castlemaine Market Place which used to be a distribution point for food to the goldfields and is now a museum.</p> <p><br /><strong>Want to pan for gold and travel through the towns at the heart of the gold rush? Join Probus for the <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/members_offers_rendezvous" target="_blank">2013 Rendezvous</a> and sign up for the Post Rendezvous Tour with Trade Travel. </strong></p>", "newsletter_name" => "", "printed" => null, "created" => "2013-04-11 15:58:46", "modified" => "2013-04-11 15:58:46", "url" => "229e380e", "short_id" => "229e380e", "url_part_2" => "Pan_for_gold", "total_views" => "837", "intro" => "<p><img style="float: left; padding-right: 15px; margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 6px;" src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_embed_440_400.jpg" alt="" width="440" height="400" />Strip bark, saw trees, dig roads and immerse yourself ankle-deep in water panning for the piece of gold that will make you rich. Such was the life of a gold digger.</p>", "publish_sort_date" => "2013-04-11", "_status" => "Offline" ), "Publication" => array( "id" => "2", "name" => "Probus Web", "folder" => "probus", "url" => "staging.probussouthpacific.org", "microsite_cms_url" => "stagingmicrosite.probussouthpacific.org", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_type_id" => "3", "home_spotlight_count" => "5", "home_spotlight_delay" => "5", "home_feature_count" => "0", "index_spotlight_count" => "3", "search_spotlight_count" => "3", "most_viewed_duration" => "14", "most_tagged_duration" => "14", "list_page_size" => "25", "home_ad1" => "88", "home_ad2" => "89", "home_ad3" => "", "home_ad4" => "", "story_ad1" => "", "story_ad2" => "", "story_ad3" => "", "story_ad4" => "", "button_ad1" => "66", "button_ad2" => "67", "button_ad3" => "", "button_ad4" => "", "button_ad5" => "", "leader_ad" => "", "smtp_port" => "465", "smtp_host" => "smtp.gmail.com", "smtp_username" => "[email protected]", "smtp_password" => "Qwert123$#", "smtp_type" => "ssl", "secure_widget" => "<h3>Quick Links</h3> <p> </p> <p>See <a title="PSPL Mail Outs" href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/pspl_correspondence">PSPL Mail Outs</a> for copies of letters sent by PSPL for the information of all Probus Club members. </p> <p> </p> <p>Club Management Committees can obtain contact details of Probus clubs by visiting this page. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_directory_lookup">Directory of Probus Clubs</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Access a range of material which can assist you with membership development for your club. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_membership_development">Membership Development Tools</a></p> <p> </p> <p>See PSPL’s latest annual report <a title="Click here." href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/about_pspl_annual_report">Click here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>To access exclusive offers, visit the Probus <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_member_benefits_scheme">Member Benefits Scheme</a> page.</p> <p> </p> <p><span>If you want copies of reports, accounts templates or nomination forms for office bearers, you’ll find them here. </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_forms">Forms and Templates</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span>You'll find all your merchandise needs by visiting the </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/products/display/">Online Shop</a></p>", "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-10-06 15:18:14" ), "Tag" => array( "id" => "59", "tag_type_id" => "3", "publication_id" => "2", "name" => "Travel", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_head_image" => "/probus/files/TravelEditBlue.jpg", "tag_ad1" => "96", "tag_ad2" => "97", "parent_id" => null, "private" => "0", "priority" => null, "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-12-19 14:52:00" ), "Tags" => array( array() ) ) $story_tagline = "" $story = array( "Story" => array( "id" => "1144", "publication_id" => "2", "tag_id" => "59", "headline" => "Pan for gold", "headline_home" => "Pan for gold", "headline_index" => "Pan for gold", "meta_keywords" => "gold rush, goldfields, victoria, travel", "home_spotlight" => "/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_carousel.jpg", "home_spotlight_mini" => "/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_tile.jpg", "home_feature" => "", "home_tag" => "/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_thumbnail.jpg", "index_mini" => "", "index_result" => "/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_thumbnail.jpg", "gallery" => null, "gallery_captions" => null, "gallery_hide" => "0", "embed_spotlight" => "0", "status" => "0", "published" => "2013-04-11 00:00:00", "byline" => "Jessica Goulburn", "tagline" => null, "intro_short" => "<p>Experience Australia’s rich gold rush heritage in the Goldfields region of Victoria. </p>", "intro_long" => "<p>Experience Australia’s rich gold rush heritage as you take in the sites of the Goldfields region of Victoria. </p>", "body" => "<p><img style="float: left; padding-right: 15px; margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 6px;" src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_embed_440_400.jpg" alt="" width="440" height="400" />Strip bark, saw trees, dig roads and immerse yourself ankle-deep in water panning for the piece of gold that will make you rich. Such was the life of a gold digger.</p> <p>The gold rush brought people from all over the world, searching for their 'wealthily ever after', resulting in a population boom for Victoria and Australia.</p> <p>In Victoria, the Goldfields region encompasses the northern central section of the state including the major cities of Ballarat and Bendigo as well as the smaller centres of Daylesford, Castlemaine and Maryborough, going as far north as Inglewood.</p> <p>The architecture reflects the region’s rich gold rush history with exquisite gardens and grand public buildings.</p> <h2>Bendigo</h2> <p>It has been said that Bendigo is one the most magnificent mid-19<sup>th</sup> century cities in Victoria. Obvious pride, remarkable buildings and elegant villas give you a sense of the affluence that descended on the town as a result of the gold rush.</p> <p>Bendigo had the largest goldfield in Victoria, extending over 360 square kilometres with 35 reefs.</p> <p>Fine art is housed in miners’ cottages as well as the Bendigo Art Gallery and the Central Deborah Mine shaft has been fully restored as a working exhibit to visit.</p> <h2>Ballarat</h2> <p><strong></strong>Victoria’s largest inland city was born out of the gold rush. One of the greatest dramas in Australian history occurred during the gold rush with the Eureka Stockade remaining the only armed civil uprising against the government in Australia.</p> <p>Contemporary Ballarat showcases the town’s historic roots with a blend of modern culture. Make sure you visit the Royal Hotel where Mark Twain and Prince Alfred once slept, and the wineries that surround the town.</p> <p>However, perhaps what Ballarat is most famous for is Sovereign Hill, recreating an old gold mining town where you can see a demonstration of colonial bread making and blacksmiths creating shoes, watch in awe as an old fashioned printer prints a newspaper and you can even pan for gold.</p> <p>Learn more about <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/3be9da25/Ballarat__not_just_a_gold_rush_town" target="_blank">Ballarat</a>.</p> <h2>Castlemaine</h2> <p><strong></strong>Situated between Bendigo and Ballarat, Castlemaine sits in a valley at the junction of three creeks. The historic streetscapes serve as a reminder of the town’s gold mining days with magnificent cultural buildings and fabulous architectural gems adorning the sidewalks.</p> <p>Wander through the home of Buda, a silversmith during the gold rush and meander through the beautiful gardens.</p> <p>There’s also the Castlemaine Gaol, built to house offenders during the gold rush era. Since it was closed in 1990, the gaol has been converted into a tourist attraction and hotel.</p> <p>Also well worth a visit is the Castlemaine Market Place which used to be a distribution point for food to the goldfields and is now a museum.</p> <p><br /><strong>Want to pan for gold and travel through the towns at the heart of the gold rush? Join Probus for the <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/members_offers_rendezvous" target="_blank">2013 Rendezvous</a> and sign up for the Post Rendezvous Tour with Trade Travel. </strong></p>", "newsletter_name" => "", "printed" => null, "created" => "2013-04-11 15:58:46", "modified" => "2013-04-11 15:58:46", "url" => "229e380e", "short_id" => "229e380e", "url_part_2" => "Pan_for_gold", "total_views" => "837", "intro" => "<p><img style="float: left; padding-right: 15px; margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 6px;" src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Goldfields_embed_440_400.jpg" alt="" width="440" height="400" />Strip bark, saw trees, dig roads and immerse yourself ankle-deep in water panning for the piece of gold that will make you rich. Such was the life of a gold digger.</p>", "publish_sort_date" => "2013-04-11", "_status" => "Offline" ), "Publication" => array( "id" => "2", "name" => "Probus Web", "folder" => "probus", "url" => "staging.probussouthpacific.org", "microsite_cms_url" => "stagingmicrosite.probussouthpacific.org", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_type_id" => "3", "home_spotlight_count" => "5", "home_spotlight_delay" => "5", "home_feature_count" => "0", "index_spotlight_count" => "3", "search_spotlight_count" => "3", "most_viewed_duration" => "14", "most_tagged_duration" => "14", "list_page_size" => "25", "home_ad1" => "88", "home_ad2" => "89", "home_ad3" => "", "home_ad4" => "", "story_ad1" => "", "story_ad2" => "", "story_ad3" => "", "story_ad4" => "", "button_ad1" => "66", "button_ad2" => "67", "button_ad3" => "", "button_ad4" => "", "button_ad5" => "", "leader_ad" => "", "smtp_port" => "465", "smtp_host" => "smtp.gmail.com", "smtp_username" => "[email protected]", "smtp_password" => "Qwert123$#", "smtp_type" => "ssl", "secure_widget" => "<h3>Quick Links</h3> <p> </p> <p>See <a title="PSPL Mail Outs" href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/pspl_correspondence">PSPL Mail Outs</a> for copies of letters sent by PSPL for the information of all Probus Club members. </p> <p> </p> <p>Club Management Committees can obtain contact details of Probus clubs by visiting this page. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_directory_lookup">Directory of Probus Clubs</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Access a range of material which can assist you with membership development for your club. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_membership_development">Membership Development Tools</a></p> <p> </p> <p>See PSPL’s latest annual report <a title="Click here." href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/about_pspl_annual_report">Click here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>To access exclusive offers, visit the Probus <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_member_benefits_scheme">Member Benefits Scheme</a> page.</p> <p> </p> <p><span>If you want copies of reports, accounts templates or nomination forms for office bearers, you’ll find them here. </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_forms">Forms and Templates</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span>You'll find all your merchandise needs by visiting the </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/products/display/">Online Shop</a></p>", "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-10-06 15:18:14" ), "Tag" => array( "id" => "59", "tag_type_id" => "3", "publication_id" => "2", "name" => "Travel", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_head_image" => "/probus/files/TravelEditBlue.jpg", "tag_ad1" => "96", "tag_ad2" => "97", "parent_id" => null, "private" => "0", "priority" => null, "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-12-19 14:52:00" ), "Tags" => array( array() ) ) $related_stories = array( array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ) )include - APP/views/stories/probus-display.ctp, line 49 View::_render() - CORE/cake/libs/view/view.php, line 731 View::render() - CORE/cake/libs/view/view.php, line 426 Controller::render() - CORE/cake/libs/controller/controller.php, line 909 AppController::render() - APP/app_controller.php, line 64 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/cake/dispatcher.php, line 207 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/cake/dispatcher.php, line 171 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 83
No stories were found.
Pan for gold
by Jessica Goulburn | 11 Apr 2013
Strip bark, saw trees, dig roads and immerse yourself ankle-deep in water panning for the piece of gold that will make you rich. Such was the life of a gold digger.
The gold rush brought people from all over the world, searching for their 'wealthily ever after', resulting in a population boom for Victoria and Australia.
In Victoria, the Goldfields region encompasses the northern central section of the state including the major cities of Ballarat and Bendigo as well as the smaller centres of Daylesford, Castlemaine and Maryborough, going as far north as Inglewood.
The architecture reflects the region’s rich gold rush history with exquisite gardens and grand public buildings.
Bendigo
It has been said that Bendigo is one the most magnificent mid-19th century cities in Victoria. Obvious pride, remarkable buildings and elegant villas give you a sense of the affluence that descended on the town as a result of the gold rush.
Bendigo had the largest goldfield in Victoria, extending over 360 square kilometres with 35 reefs.
Fine art is housed in miners’ cottages as well as the Bendigo Art Gallery and the Central Deborah Mine shaft has been fully restored as a working exhibit to visit.
Ballarat
Victoria’s largest inland city was born out of the gold rush. One of the greatest dramas in Australian history occurred during the gold rush with the Eureka Stockade remaining the only armed civil uprising against the government in Australia.
Contemporary Ballarat showcases the town’s historic roots with a blend of modern culture. Make sure you visit the Royal Hotel where Mark Twain and Prince Alfred once slept, and the wineries that surround the town.
However, perhaps what Ballarat is most famous for is Sovereign Hill, recreating an old gold mining town where you can see a demonstration of colonial bread making and blacksmiths creating shoes, watch in awe as an old fashioned printer prints a newspaper and you can even pan for gold.
Learn more about Ballarat.
Castlemaine
Situated between Bendigo and Ballarat, Castlemaine sits in a valley at the junction of three creeks. The historic streetscapes serve as a reminder of the town’s gold mining days with magnificent cultural buildings and fabulous architectural gems adorning the sidewalks.
Wander through the home of Buda, a silversmith during the gold rush and meander through the beautiful gardens.
There’s also the Castlemaine Gaol, built to house offenders during the gold rush era. Since it was closed in 1990, the gaol has been converted into a tourist attraction and hotel.
Also well worth a visit is the Castlemaine Market Place which used to be a distribution point for food to the goldfields and is now a museum.
Want to pan for gold and travel through the towns at the heart of the gold rush? Join Probus for the 2013 Rendezvous and sign up for the Post Rendezvous Tour with Trade Travel.
®