Goldfields trail and Pine Creek, Northern Territory - April 2021

We left Adelaide River and decided to take a side trip along the Northern Goldfields Heritage Loop. Well, if we had known  what was in store, we perhaps may not have done it. What an adventure!

The discovery of gold in 1872, by prospector Harry Roberts, during the construction of the overland telegraph, followed the discovery in Pine Creek in 1870.

We passed many old open cut mines, big and small, that were once rich in gold deposits. The mixture of Chinese, Aboriginal and European miners lead to an interesting mix of cultures. Many information boards are located along the trail.

In 1904 a 2ft gauge steam railway was constructed to connect mines and to meet the main railway line. As gold started to dwindle and with the effects of the great depression, gold mine settlements were abandoned. The Grove Hill Hotel was constructed to take advantage of the passing travellers, and it was situated on the then main highway north.

With the relocation of the main highway, and little through traffic, Grove Hill Pub and heritage museum is now closed. The Grove Hill Hotel was built in 1934 from a collection of materials from abandoned mines after the Great Depression. It operated as a licensed and later added artifacts to display in a adjoining museum. It was up for sale, and without a serious buyer, it was closed. Listed on the Northern Territory Heritage Register in 1994, it is now a private residence, with some quirky artifacts still located along the road.

The closure of the highway and the closure of the railway in 1976, lead to the loop of approximately 80km, with many notice boards to show what was once there. The road started pretty good with minor hazards like this.

It took us over 2 and a half hours to do the loop, and we were very pleased to find the highway. The road gradually deteriorated and we were not sure if we took a wrong turn or not as there were no signs or recognisable road to follow.

DON'T DO IT WITH A CARAVAN!!!! It was definitely an adventure. The road was worse than below, and I have no photos as I was holding on tight in the car 😲.

Arriving in Pine Creek, our first stop was the Miners Park, established in 1988 as part of Australia's bicentennial.

This community was established by miners, so it is fitting that such a park be established. It is located at the northern end of town and along side is a railway museum. Peter and Jonnie did the railway museum for the cost of a donation. Both the railway and the miners park have signs and information boards to tell of the history.

Pine Creek began as a small prospectors camp in 1870 and continued to grow as more gold was found and more prospectors arrived. By 1873 there were 11 batteries. Gold finds began to dwindle in the mid 1870's and the town still survived. The railway came in 1889 and helped to cement the towns survival. The town was named by workers on the overland telegraph after the pines along the creek. It was officially named Playford after the Commissioner of Lands in 1889, but locals continued to call it Pine Creek. It was officially gazzetted as Pine Creek in 1973.

The town itself has a mixture of old 

and new, both with their own character.

We had late lunch in Pine Creek and continued on to Katherine Ibis Caravan site for the night before heading further west.