Welcome Stranger, Gold nugget in Moliagul, Australia
Welcome Stranger is the largest gold nugget ever discovered, found in Bulldog Gully near Moliagul in Victoria and weighing approximately 109.59 kilograms. A stone obelisk now marks the original discovery spot, while casts of the nugget are displayed in museums and heritage sites.
Two Cornish miners, John Deason and Richard Oates, discovered the nugget on February 5, 1869, buried beneath tree roots in the soil. This finding made headlines worldwide and became a turning point in Australian mining history.
The discovery transformed the region into a focal point for gold seekers and shaped how locals understood wealth and opportunity. Stories about this find remain central to how the community views its past.
Visitors can reach the obelisk at the original discovery site in Bulldog Gully, though the location is rural and somewhat remote. Those interested in viewing casts of the nugget itself should plan visits to heritage museums where displays provide full context about the find.
The nugget was so heavy that a blacksmith had to split it into three pieces using a hammer and anvil because no scales existed that could weigh it intact. This dramatic breakdown reveals just how extraordinary the discovery was for the era.
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