The Mount Alexander goldfield was possibly the world's richest surface alluvial goldfield. About of gold was found within five metres of the surface in the first two years of the rush, from late 1851 to 1853. In the early 1850s, Alexander Tolmer established a gold escort route between Mount Alexander and Adelaide to serve South Australian gold miners. The first shipment arrived in Adelaide on 20 March 1852 with around of gold, the second on 4 May 1852, with . The service also carried mail between diggers and their Adelaide families.