Explore the harsh reality of the goldrush at the Pennyweight Flat Cemetery, located on a hill overlooking the Forest Creek goldfield where 30,000 diggers once lived and worked. Victoria’s most intact and evocative gold rush cemetery contains the marked graves of children and adults, including Chinese migrants, who died in the early days of the rush.

Park in the gravel carpark on Colles Rd which is suitable for large vehicles including caravans, motorhomes and coaches. Visitor information and a picnic table are provided. There are no bins, so please take your rubbish home for recycling or disposal.

Alternatively, park at the Garfield Water Wheel and visit the cemetery on the Pennyweight Flat Cemetery Walk (walk 4), passing gold mining relics and an old homestead along the way. Grade 3, 6.5km loop, 2-2.5hrs. Mountain bikes permitted. Well-marked gravel and earth tracks. Short section on bitumen. Gentle hills, uneven ground. Some bushwalking experience recommended. Wear sturdy footwear and bring drinking water.

Visitor Tips: there is usually mobile phone reception at the cemetery itself, but it is unreliable on the Pennyweight Flat Cemetery Walk. Before you leave home, download the Heritage Notes for the walk from the park webpage and the Castlemaine Diggings Northern Walks map from Avenza Maps.

The Castlemaine Diggings is a heavily mined landscape which contains a variety of ongoing hazards, including uneven and unstable ground, mineshafts, open cuts, quarries, and mine tailings. For your own safety, please stay on mapped tracks, supervise children, comply with local signs and do not climb over or around barriers, fences or on the ruins.

Do not park or rest under or near large trees. Trees and branches may fall at any time and swing away from the tree. Please do not touch the graves or disturb the ground. All plants, animals, historical and archaeological sites and geographic features are protected by law. Prospecting is prohibited.

Pennyweight Flat Cemetery is in the North Central fire district. On Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days the Park will be closed for public safety. Do not enter the Park. If you are already in the Park, leave the night before or as early as possible in the morning. Bushfire safety is a personal responsibility. Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at www.emergency.vic.gov.au, on the VicEmergency smartphone app or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.