Castlemaine

About

From the Indigenous Dja Dja Wurrung that inhabited the fertile land to the European settlers that came next, the small city of Castlemaine has drawn those hoping to find good fortune. Gold was discovered on the land in 1851 and farmers abandoned their sheep looking for a more profitable line of work. As the city began to develop and grow, gold mining slowed and other industries began to crop up when citizens noticed a need for things such as iron foundries or breweries. Castlemaine claims to have the oldest continually operating theater in Australia, Theatre Royal. Visit the theater or wander the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens that contains relics from the gold-mining era. Festivals, markets and the general beauty of the area continue to bring in visitors from near and far.