Indeed, every now and then stories surface of some happy-go-lucky fossicker stumbling on a gold nugget.

Of particular interest is the Diamond Hill area, which takes its name from a now-crushed and processed outcrop of quartz that bore likeness to industrial diamond. Whether or not you strike it lucky, don’t remove anything of historical importance – keep it intact for the next curious mind and pair of boots.

The fragmented park includes the former Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks, One Tree Hill Regional Park, Mandurang State Forest and Sandhurst State Forest and spans more than 17,000 hectares. It contains the most significant box-ironbark forests in Vic, along with broombush mallee, grassy woodlands and Kamarooka mallee.

For more information, visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Lake Eppalock

This large lake south-east of Bendigo was created in the early 1960s by damming the Campaspe River. It provides Bendigo’s water (at least until recently, when the pumps were turned off) as well as irrigation for the surrounding district, but swimming is permitted, as are boating and fishing. There are several public boat ramps, camping and picnic areas, and caravan parks.

Unfortunately, water levels have dropped dramatically due to the drought, and a visit to the lake will leave an indelible impression. Local residents hope that the new Goulburn-Lake Eppalock pipeline will improve matters – but what they really need is decent rain!

Maldon

The historic goldmining town of Maldon, about 40km south-west of Bendigo, was the first in Australia to be declared a “notable town” by the National Trust back in 1966, followed in 2006 by the title of “most intact heritage streetscape”. It is indeed as if time has stood still since the gold ran out and the miners began to leave around the turn of the last century.

At the height of the gold rush, the quartz reefs in the area were among the world’s richest. They attracted thousands of diggers and it looked as if Maldon would overshadow Bendigo.

Most of the old restored buildings are clustered along High Street, with a range of specialty shops and tearooms that are a joy to explore. Nearby are the towns of Castlemaine with its magnificent bluestone architecture, and Harcourt with its apple orchards, dominated by Mount Alexander which offers panoramic views and lovely walks.

For more on Maldon, contact the visitor information centre on (03) 5475 2569, or visit www.maldoncastlemaine.com

Extracted from Miner’s Rest as featured in Motorhome World issue 20, May/June 2008.