New Australasian No. 2 Deep Lead Gold Mine

Entrance to mine with slag heaps in distance. grahamstewartwalker (Atlas Obscura User)

The Victorian goldfields between Ballarat and Bendigo are a true sight to behold.

When visiting this location, visitors are transported back in time to when the Victorian Gold Rush was at its peak around the mid-1800s. It is amazing to imagine the hive of activity that existed throughout the fields during its heyday.

However, there are still artifacts strewn around the fields that provide insight into the location’s past. Slag heaps and old mine sites litter the land. One example is the New Australasian No. 2 Deep Lead Gold Mine—the scene of Australia’s worst underground gold mining disasters in 1882. Twenty-four men lost their lives in a flooding incident within the mine, a lasting memorial stands at the site.

Know Before You Go

The mine is rurally located and there is adequate parking at the side of the road. While driving around, look for multiple other sites related to the gold mining history of this region.