GOLD! The Dunolly “Gold Rush” began in July 1856. The Melbourne press reported that 7,000 diggers were at Dunolly and its main street Broadway ( due to it being a ‘broad’ way) had ”commodious refreshment tents during brisk business.”
According to the records of the Mines Department, Dunolly and district produced a greater number of gold nuggets than any other goldfield in Australia – a total of 339 nuggets in a radius of 20 miles of the town. Dunolly itself produced the greatest number – 126 nuggets. The population swelled rapidly to almost 15-16,000 with thousands more arriving each day.
Dunolly owes its golden history to the discovery of the Welcome Stranger gold nugget in 1869, the world’s largest alluvial gold nugget ever found, weighing 72 kilograms, discovered near Moliagul, just a short distance from Dunolly (as pictured on the right). A memorial of the location of the nugget is just off the highway and is a popular drawcard for prospecting enthusiasts.
The town’s historic precinct is a testament to its prosperous past, featuring well-preserved buildings like the 1884 Town Hall and the 1863 Courthouse. Visitors can explore these sites and learn about the town’s history through self-guided tours or by visiting the Dunolly Museum, which houses a vast collection of relics, gold nugget casts, and historical records.
Today, Dunolly continues to attract gold prospectors and history enthusiasts, with many still trying their luck in the surrounding bushland. The town’s heritage streetscape and historical sites offer a glimpse into the vibrant life during the Gold Rush era.
