Ravenswood Mining Landscape and Chinese Settlement Area

The Ravenswood mining landscape contains the remains of roughly twelve mines, mills, and processing plants scattered across a large area. The site is marked by waste heaps and industrial structures that show how intensively the land was worked.

Gold was discovered in 1868, making Ravenswood the first major goldfield in north Queensland and triggering rapid growth. Mining activity peaked in the early 1900s before gradually declining over the following decades.

The Chinese residents who arrived during the mining boom left behind a temple and cooking structures that visitors can still see today. These buildings show how the community adapted to life in this remote goldfield region.

You can walk through the landscape on marked paths that connect the different mining remains scattered across the area. Wear sturdy footwear and allow plenty of time to explore the various sites spread over this large heritage zone.

Chinese settlers grew vegetable gardens along a nearby creek, combining food production with mining operations. These gardens were particularly active during the peak years between 1900 and 1908, showing how the community sustained itself.