Discover Amherst: Gold History and Quartz

Discover Amherst through two distinct interests: quartz geology and outdoor activities on the one hand, and gold and settlement history on the other. Nearby is Quartz Hill; in the town itself, the cemetery, former school, reservoir and a visible surveyed street layout recall different chapters of the past. When planning your trip, you can first decide which focus you want to shape your stay most. This distinction can also help you tailor your hotel search to your travel interests.

Quartz Hill: Quartz and outdoor activities

Quartz Hill, also known as Amherst Reef Geological Reserve, is near Amherst and contains Victoria’s largest remaining outcrop of pure quartz rock. This geological feature gives the area a clearly defined theme. The reserve is suitable for bushwalking, outdoor activities and photography. There are no visitor facilities, so plan ahead and bring what you need for your outing. Those interested in rock formations have a specific reason here to include the Amherst area in their travel plans.

The gold rush and the later town

Gold was discovered at Blacksmith’s Gully in December 1852. The first major gold rush followed at Daisy Hill, about a mile east of the later town of Amherst, and was known as Cowley’s Rush. This makes it possible to distinguish the discovery site from the subsequent rush in both time and place. If you are travelling with children, this sequence can offer a simple introduction to gold history: first the discovery, then the major rush at Daisy Hill.

Historic traces in Amherst

Amherst (Talbot) Cemetery was established in 1855 and is a historic attraction in Amherst. The former State School No. 1459 is an important reminder of the once-thriving community. The two sites tell the story of the area’s earlier settlement from different perspectives: the cemetery has a specific year attached to it, while the school is linked to an earlier phase of community life.

Amherst Reservoir is an early and significant reminder of the importance of water to the Central Goldfields, both for domestic use and for mining. North of Daisy Hill Creek, the surveyed street layout is still visible in Amherst. The town’s history thus spans issues of water supply as well as the visible layout of its streets.

Industrial history and planning your visit

The Eucalyptus Distillery site is at Old Plant Dam in Blacksmith’s Gully, Amherst. Four tanks, each 6.5 feet in diameter, and a water basin remain there. These measurements give the surviving features a specific scale and add an industrial history to the area’s other historic traces.

Amherst Winery has a cellar door at 285 Talbot-Avoca Road in Amherst. If you are planning a visit, check the current visiting arrangements directly with the winery before travelling.

Choose accommodation in a location that suits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Lockington, Gowanbrae, Dederang, Dunolly, Merricks, Faraday, Sulky, Mount Duneed.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.