<P> Despite the sales of gold from Echunga , this goldfield could not compete with the richer fields in Victoria and by 1853 the South Australian goldfields were described as being ' pretty deserted ' . There were further discoveries of gold in the Echunga area made in 1853 , 1854 , 1855 , and 1858 causing minor rushes . There was a major revival of the Echunga fields in 1868 when Thomas Plane and Henry Saunders found gold at Jupiter Creek . Plane and Saunders were to receive rewards of £ 300 and £ 200 respectively . By September 1868 there were about 1,200 people living at the new diggings and tents and huts were scattered throughout the scrub . A township was established with general stores , butchers and refreshment booths . By the end of 1868 though , the alluvial deposits at Echunga were almost exhausted and the population dwindled to several hundred . During 1869 reef mining was introduced and some small mining companies were established but all had gone into liquidation by 1871 . The Echunga goldfields were South Australia 's most productive . By 1900 the estimated gold production was 6,000 kg ( 13,225 lb ) , compared with 680g ( 24oz , 11⁄2lb ) from the Victoria Mine at Castambul . After the revival of the Echunga goldfields in 1868 , prospectors searched the Adelaide Hills for new goldfields . News of a new discovery would set off another rush . Gold was found at many locations including Balhannah , Forest Range , Birdwood , Para Wirra , Mount Pleasant and Woodside . </P>
<P> Despite the sales of gold from Echunga , this goldfield could not compete with the richer fields in Victoria and by 1853 the South Australian goldfields were described as being ' pretty deserted ' . There were further discoveries of gold in the Echunga area made in 1853 , 1854 , 1855 , and 1858 causing minor rushes . There was a major revival of the Echunga fields in 1868 when Thomas Plane and Henry Saunders found gold at Jupiter Creek . Plane and Saunders were to receive rewards of £ 300 and £ 200 respectively . By September 1868 there were about 1,200 people living at the new diggings and tents and huts were scattered throughout the scrub . A township was established with general stores , butchers and refreshment booths . By the end of 1868 though , the alluvial deposits at Echunga were almost exhausted and the population dwindled to several hundred . During 1869 reef mining was introduced and some small mining companies were established but all had gone into liquidation by 1871 . The Echunga goldfields were South Australia 's most productive . By 1900 the estimated gold production was 6,000 kg ( 13,225 lb ) , compared with 680g ( 24oz , 11⁄2lb ) from the Victoria Mine at Castambul . After the revival of the Echunga goldfields in 1868 , prospectors searched the Adelaide Hills for new goldfields . News of a new discovery would set off another rush . Gold was found at many locations including Balhannah , Forest Range , Birdwood , Para Wirra , Mount Pleasant and Woodside . </P>
where was the most gold found in australia
where was the most gold found in australia
Echunga
Echunga