• Steiglitz Historic Park

  • Steiglitz Historic Park

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Steiglitz Historic Park

Steiglitz Historic Park and the Brisbane Ranges National Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wadawurrung Peoples. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Wadawurrung Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

Little more than an hour's drive from Melbourne and set in the Brisbane Ranges National Park, Steiglitz Historic Park is a window back in time to Victoria's Gold Rush of 1850-90s.

Situated between Geelong and Ballarat, Steiglitz is almost a ghost town today but from 1860 to 1890s it was a busy goldmining township with hotels, shops, churches and a population of over 1000. At the height of the 1860s gold rush, Steiglitz township had more than 1500 residents, four hotels, a newspaper, a variety of shops and even an undertaker!

Now most of the town and its surroundings are included in the Steiglitz Historic Park. Enjoy a pleasant bushwalk, relax with a picnic or pan for gold.

Of course, a trip to the park wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Steiglitz Court House, with its display of photographs, maps and relics of gold year. The court house is open on Sunday and public holidays, and at other times by arrangement.

Make sure you visit Steiglitz and wander the ghost-town discovering its past from the information boards located there. Please note that private property and dwellings should not be entered.

There are some great picnic spots and several walks from the town centre to explore the area.

Things to do

 
A ranger pointing at the ground, teaching a group of children and adults

Education excursions

Steiglitz Historic Park’s curriculum-based education program offers students an excellent opportunity to learn what it was like to live in a gold rush town in the 1850s. An Education Officer can deliver a range of activities that are adapted to meet the specific Victorian Curriculum standards and VCE outcomes (fees apply for education services). For bookings, please contact 13 1963.
A couple enjoy a sunset picnic in the Brisbane Ranges National Park.

Brisbane Ranges National Park

Little more than an hour's drive from Melbourne takes you to the state's richest wildflower habitat. Set in a low range of mountains dissected by rocky gullies, the unusual geology of the Brisbane Ranges National Park has preserved plants that have long since vanished from other parts of the region.
A mother, father and their two young daughts gaze out at the sea from the lookout point of the lighthouse.

Historic sites

Journey back in time and visit some of the historic buildings of post European settlement in Australia, including huts, mansions and lighthouses.
A tent and picnic table at Fridays Campground at Brisbane Ranges National Park

Fridays Campground

This camping area provides a good base for exploring the historic gold mining area of Steiglitz Historic Park, wildflower and wildlife studies and bush walking.
Two women follow the path through scrub up Mt Bogong with mountain views in the distance.

Walking

Whether you’re after a gentle stroll or something long-distance, there are walking trails to suit all levels of fitness and ability.
Wildflowers

Wildflowers

Whether you’re surrounding yourself with carpets of colourful flowers, spotting rare orchids, or just enjoying the local native flowers, it’s a great way to immerse yourself in nature and help your spirits soar.

Steiglitz Historic Park

Wallabys, kangaroos and cockatoos can be found throughout at the park and are especially active at dawn and dusk. If you look up you might come across a koala in a gum tree, while there's always the chance of stumbling across an echidna on the hunt to slurp on some ants.

Koalas
Wallabies
Kangaroos
Echidnas

Tours and adventure experiences in parks

One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more. 

Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

How to get there

Steiglitz Historic Park

Steiglitz is located 80kms west of Melbourne. Take the M1 towards Geelong and then turn right towards Little River and the You Yangs. Turn right again on to Granite Road which will take you to Anakie and the southern end of the park.

Steiglitz Historic Park

When you're there

Download the Steiglitz Historic Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the experiences to be had within its borders.

Related Sites

When to go

Summers can be hot and dry - if you're heading out make sure you bring adequate water and sun-protection. Heavily forested parks are best avoided in days of high fire danger.

Camping & accommodation

Little more than an hour's drive from Melbourne takes you to the state's richest wildflower habitat. Set in a low range of mountains dissected by rocky gullies, the unusual geology of the Brisbane Ranges National Park has preserved plants that have long since vanished from other parts of the region. With several camping areas available it is a fantastic place to stay and explore.

Check availability

Need to know

Steiglitz Historic Park

Accessibility

An all terrain wheelchair called a TrailRider is available for park visitors with mobility difficulties and this chair is owned and managed by the Moorabool Shire Council. For more information or to make a booking, please contact:

Moorabool Shire
Lerderderg Library Bacchus Marsh
215 Main St, Bacchus Marsh
Phone: (03) 5366 7100
Email: info@moorabool.vic.gov.au
Website: moorabool.vic.gov.au

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.


Education excursions

This park offers curriculum-aligned ranger-guided excursions for school students. Download the Education Program to find out more and and email serendipeducationcentre@parks.vic.gov.au to make a booking.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Steiglitz Circuit Walk (Steiglitz Historic Park, Brisbane Ranges National Park)

    Steiglitz circuit walk permanent section closure

    Steiglitz circuit walking track section between Alliance track and Tarnook track will be permanently closed to reduce spread of Cinnamon fungus. A detour can be taken along Steiglitz – Durdidwarrah Road. 
    Parks Victoria apologises for any inconveniences caused by this closure. 

    Attachments: Steiglitz circuit walk permanent closure (226KB)

    Steiglitz circuit walk temporary section closure

    Steiglitz circuit walking track section along Tarnook track will be temporarily closed to reduce spread of Cinnamon fungus. A detour can be taken along Steiglitz – Durdidwarrah Road. 

    Attachments: Steiglitz circuit walk temporary closure (268KB)

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    BBQ facilities temporarily closed - Bert Boardman recreational reserve and Anakie Gorge Picnic Area

    • Parks Victoria is carrying out inspections on all of our barbecues in our parks. Following these inspections, some barbecues have been temporarily closed until they can be attended by a licenced contractor. We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
    • Visitor safety is our top priority and we advise people to please not to use any barbecue facilities that have been closed. We expect the impacted barbecues to reopen in the coming weeks. 

How we keep it special

We aim to ensure that our valued parks, and the natural assets and cultural heritage they hold, can be enjoyed now and by future generations.

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