History of gold mining
The Old Goldfields Orchard takes it's name from the Donnybrook Gold Rush of 1898/99. One of the earliest and most exciting finds happened right here where the orchard is today. Richard Hunter discovered gold by panning the upper reaches of the Nonneycup creek (a tributary of the Preston River) in 1897.
He soon settled on a quartz outcrop, sinking a shaft which became known as Hunter's Venture.


Today, the Donnybrook goldfields are brought to life with the re-erection of an exact replic
a of the poppet head over Hunter's Venture, an information centre housing photos, videos,
memorabilia, press reports from the golden era. Mt Cara Adit is open again, and children
can pan for gold.