Back to search results » Back to search page »

GUN REEF GOLD BATTERY SITES

Location

UPPER WEST BRANCH OF OVENS RIVER SELWYN, ALPINE SHIRE

File Number

607656

Level

Registered

Statement of Significance

The Gun Reef Gold Battery Sites contain the remnants from three mining operations: the Big Gun, Big Gun Extended and the Little Gun. The Big Gun battery is very intact and contains 5-head of stampers in an iron frame, Pelton wheel, plate table and buried and partly buried pieces of machinery and blacksmith's tools. Above the battery is a water race, flying fox with various bits of associated equipment, an intact tramway with iron rails, and various levels of adits. The main relic at the Little Gun is a collapsed hut, and at the Big Gun Extended mine little survives except for the mine workings. One kilometre down the gully (E031 N096 on 1:100,000 map sheet number 8324 Bogong) are the remains of the Centenary mine which include a Pelton wheel (battery has been removed), hut and various pieces of machinery. The workings and batteries date from mining operations from 1896 to 1917.

The Gun Reef Gold Battery Sites are of historical, and scientific importance to the State of Victoria.

The Gun Reef Gold Battery Sites are historically and scientifically important as characteristic and well preserved examples of an important form of gold mining. Gold mining sites are of crucial importance for the pivotal role they have played since 1851 in the development of Victoria. As well as being a significant producer of Victoria's nineteenth century wealth, with its intensive use of machinery, played an important role in the development of Victorian manufacturing industry. The Gun Reefs Sites are particularly important because of the range of artefacts that still survive, including a very intact battery, and two flying fox systems. The abandoned mining machinery at the Gun Reef Gold Battery Sites is historically important for its evocation of the adventurousness, hardship, and isolation that was part of mining life in the high country areas of the State.

The Gun Reef Gold Battery Sites is archaeologically important for its potential to yield artefacts and evidence which will be able to provide significant information about the technological history of gold mining.

Group