Castlemaine

Castlemaine is a historic town in the Shire of Mount Alexander, central Victoria, about 120 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. Established during the 1851 Victorian gold rush, it was once one of the world's richest alluvial goldfields. Today it is noted for its well-preserved gold-era streetscapes, heritage buildings, thriving arts community, and proximity to Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, attracting visitors for history, culture, food and nature.

Visitors can expect a compact, walkable gold-rush town with wide streets lined with 19th-century heritage buildings, boutique shops, cafes and galleries. The town centre features the historic Theatre Royal, Castlemaine Art Museum, and Castlemaine Market Building. Surrounding areas offer botanical gardens, bushland and gold-diggings relics in Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, with opportunities for heritage walks, gallery visits, market shopping, bushwalking and cycling.

Founded in 1851 following the discovery of alluvial gold at Forest Creek, Castlemaine became one of the richest goldfields in the world during the Victorian gold rush. The town grew rapidly in the 1850s-1860s, with substantial public and commercial buildings reflecting its wealth. The surrounding Castlemaine Diggings is listed on the Australian National Heritage List as evidence of gold-mining history and migration.

Castlemaine is recognised as a major regional arts hub in Victoria, known for the Castlemaine Art Museum, Theatre Royal, and the biennial Castlemaine State Festival. The town retains strong gold-rush heritage character and supports a contemporary creative community, artisan food and wine producers, and weekly farmers markets.