Heathcote History

The discovery of gold at nearby McIvor Creek in 1852 put the spotlight on Heathcote. Within six months of this rich find, up to 40,000 miners arrived and camped in the vicinity.  

Gold mining relics remain in the surrounding bushlands as a reminder of the times when gold was so easily found in the area.  Within the first year, after the alluvial gold was removed, many miners moved on to newly discovered gold fields.

Major Thomas Mitchell was the first European known to have visited the district in 1836.  By 1851 about 400 Europeans lived on some 16 pastoral properties in the area, and after the short-lived rush for gold, the area was largely returned to pastoral land.

The past has been well-preserved in Heathcote. The streetscape features bull-nose verandahs and fine Victorian architecture, with highlights including the refurbished Old Gaol, Courthouse and the old Shire offices.