Beehive Gold Mine (Maldon Historic Reserve)

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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Beehive Gold Mine (Maldon Historic Reserve)

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Beehive Gold Mine (Maldon Historic Reserve)

Beehive Gold Mine (Maldon Historic Reserve)

Need to know

Beehive Gold Mine (Maldon Historic Reserve)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

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.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash

Restrictions

  • No drones without a permit
  • No camping
  • No motorbikes/trailbikes

Warnings

  • Terrain hazards
    • Mineshaft
    • Deep hole
    • Uneven ground
  • Animals and pests
    • Snakes

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

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.

Beehive Chimney site temporary closure

The Beehive Chimney site will be closed to the public from 24 September to mid-January while urgent repairs are undertaken. 

The chimney stack was built in 1861. It provided draught for the mine’s steam boilers. Tall chimneys like this were common at quartz mines in the mid to late 1800s, however very few have survived. When mines closed, they often dismantled the chimneys and re-used or sold the bricks. This chimney is the only one of its age still standing in Victoria.

The chimney has had over 160 years of exposure to the elements and the birds causing severe weathering to the structure. And earlier inappropriate mortar repairs have contributed to recent falling bricks. A recent engineering assessment found that the chimney needed remedial works within 12-24 months to retain its structural integrity, and prevent bricks falling or collapse.

Works include repointing with traditional lime mortar and securing a metal cap to the top of the chimney to prevent rain getting in. Deconstruction of approximately 7 metres and reconstruction of approximately 3.5 metres results in an overall height reduction to the chimney. While also making it safer, this allows for bricks not used in the reconstruction to be used in repairs to the rest of the chimney stack. The currently proposed works do not exclude the possibility of future endeavours to rebuild the chimney to its current height,
Works are being undertaken under Permit 40992 issued by Heritage Victoria.

We expect work to be completed by January 2026 and the public being able to safely get up close and personal again then.

Parkins Reef Walk closed

The Parkin's Reef Walking Track at the North British Mine site is closed until further notice. 

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