Barkers Creek
Famous as the site of the first discovery of gold in the district, Barker’s Creek early history set off the largest peacetime migration anywhere in the world during the 19th century. It was this discovery of gold by a trio of shepherds that brought about the focus on Victoria gold by the whole world. This wasn’t the first discovery – it was just rich. The gold was plentiful and easy to extract so the rush was on.
Ironically the area is named after Dr William Barker whose squatting run was overrun by the miners moreover the gold discoverers were in his employ!
Barkers Creek is now a place where people live surrounded by the re-growth box ironbark forest. The cricket ground is notable in that it is the earliest cricket ground still in use in Australia. Essentially Barkers Creek is a lovely, quiet spot with a fascinating past.