The Warrentinna Goldfield

The gold fever began in 1890. The miners exploited a number of reefs as tributors to various companies.

Over the years there were different companies and batteries crushing the ore and adits over 1000 metres long were dug in pursuit of shafts to fortune and leisure.

Mara Ponds is at the southern end of the goldfield. No evidence has been observed of the Rebel Reef Mine in the gardens. It was reported in 1894 to feature a promising 18-inch seam of freely showing gold to Mr O’Kelly, Riley and Co. who had dug a 45 foot shaft.

The following year a trial crushing through of the Rebel claim was put through the Golden King battery, a five-head battery, driven by a water-wheel, which was erected by Mr Craw and Mr Burbury. The trial gave a return of 80oz of gold, worth £82.

Nextdoor a remnant shaft of Pearce’s Reef sits next to the dam. This mine is claimed to be where “Black Louey,” in 1879 found the first payable stone on the goldfield, close to the residence of Mr E. F. Dutton. Presumably the original building at Mara Ponds shown on maps of the goldfield.

Several sections were taken up by Mr Wm.Pearce, a resident of Branxholm (in Pearce St?), two shallow shafts were sunk, and a bulk crushing was sent to Lefroy for treatment. The yield was given at from 12 to 15 pennyweight per ton. Nothing further was done, on these sections till 1891. They having become forfeited, were again taken up by Nicholls and party.

The property also has the depression of the Brother’s Home Water Race that used to run for miles from Feneckers Creek along a contour above Warrentinna Road to service the tin mine at Brother’s Home (old name for Derby).

The race runs along part of the boundary with the neighbouring property. There is little to see and permission is required from the owners for access.

In the lush green paddocks opposite, there is occaisional subsidence from the Golden King Reef and the farmer occaisionally has to fill holes to prevent cows disappearing.

At its peak, the township of Warrentinna included a pub, post office and was service by a tramway from the nearby Warrentinna Railway Station.

The township of Warrentinna and Golden Mara minesite were about 1.5 kilometers north of Mara Ponds. The town was located on Warrentinna Road and the mine in the native forest to the east. The area is now overgrown and there is no obvious relics. It is rumoured the minesite is accessible on foot by tracking through the bush off Duttons Road or Warrentinna Road at your own risk.

The most productive gold mine was the Golden Mara Mine. It consisted of multiple leases that covered 30 acres, to mine Branxholm, Little Branxholm, Coronella, Blue, Riley’s and Ascot reefs to shallow depths with the ore crushed at the “Dauntless” battery.

In 1911 the the Golden Mara Mining Company commenced operations at abandoned leases. Following promising trials, in 1912 the New Golden Mara Mining Company formed and a 284 foot shaft was sunk with crosscuts at 200 and 274 feet and a rise at 136 feet. Connections were made to various reefs.

However crushing results were unsatisfactory. In early 1916 the mine closed and was replaced by The Mara Gold Mining Company the following year; which mined the Coronella and Ascot reefs until 1921.

A total 3367 ounces of gold is reported to have been extracted to fuel the gold fever.

At the northern end of the Warrentinna goldfield there is Renown Reef; which was accessible via an adit just off Warrentinna Road. This adit was prospected in late 70’s by a local forester and part-time prospector. His feverish efforts were fueled by rumours that a former mine manager attested that “the Renown area had produced four or five thousand ounces of gold”.

In commemoration, his name may have been recorded on the nearby road. The adit is still visible unlike most of the numberous prospectings in the area.

When walking around look at the quartz rocks. Who knows thare may be a tell-tale glister winking the promise of the riches below.