The History of Gold Discovery in Victoria – James Flett

The History of Gold Discovery in Victoria by James Flett is a comprehensive historical reference covering the discovery and development of goldfields throughout Victoria.

Originally published in 1970, the book documents the early discoveries, gold rushes, prospectors, mining fields and settlements that helped shape Victoria during the nineteenth century. It is widely referenced in historical research relating to Victorian gold mining and remains a useful resource for prospectors, local historians and anyone interested in the development of the state's goldfields.

This edition is the 150th Anniversary Commemorative Printing from 2001, produced as a facsimile of the original work and retaining the extensive text, illustrations and maps. The book contains approximately 500 pages of detailed historical material.

What You'll Find Inside

The book explores the history of gold discovery across Victoria, including:

• Early gold discoveries and the beginnings of the Victorian gold rush
• Development of major and lesser-known goldfields
• Historical accounts of prospectors and mining activity
• Alluvial and quartz mining areas
• Gold rush settlements and mining communities
• Historical maps and illustrations
• Detailed accounts of nineteenth-century gold exploration and mining

Flett's work covers the period when discoveries spread from early fields such as Clunes and Ballarat through to major rushes at Castlemaine, Bendigo, Daylesford, Creswick, Maryborough, Maldon, Dunolly, St Arnaud, Ararat, Rutherglen and many other Victorian fields.

A Valuable Reference for Victorian Prospectors

For modern prospectors, the value of this book is in its historical detail.

Understanding where gold was originally discovered, how particular fields developed and where miners concentrated their efforts can provide useful background when researching Victorian goldfields alongside modern maps, geological information and historical mining records.

It is particularly useful for readers interested in:

• Victorian gold prospecting
• Historical goldfield research
• Old mining areas and settlements
• Local history
• Mining history
• Historical maps and records

Edition Details

Author: James Flett
Title: The History of Gold Discovery in Victoria
Edition: 150th Anniversary Commemorative Printing
Year: 2001
Format: Paperback
Pages: 500+
Includes: Historical text, maps and illustrations

A substantial reference for anyone wanting to better understand how, when and where gold was discovered across Victoria, James Flett's The History of Gold Discovery in Victoria is an excellent addition to a Victorian prospector's or historian's bookshelf.