The Porcupine Township complex was opened by the Hon.
Pat McNamara in November 1993.  Peter Mitz was so fascinated by Victoria's early European heritage that
he built a town.
At age 50 Peter set out to read and learn the European history of Victoria
of the goldrush era. He was discouraged and almost outraged that so few
people knew the history of Victoria and the basis of Victoria's wealth
and progress and so wanted to provide a venue where history could be absorbed
and understood. He found Porcupine Township, an original alluvial diggings
site, near Maldon in central Victoria and recreated a
goldfield's village. The township covers a span of eighteen years from 1835 - 1853 when
the colony of Port Phillip (later Victoria) was
historically the most turbulent,
exciting place in the world, the fastest growing
and the richest with the discovery of alluvial gold.The original gold diggings contain miners' campsites, a miners' store, a cemetery, and bush tracks through both Chinese and Australian diggings. The Township itself is a careful collection of the buildings, facilities and accoutrements used by the miners, tradespeople and their families. Every building houses tools of trade, furnishings and fittings which can not only be seen but can be touched. The clothing store has an extensive collection of period costumes which can be worn for photographs and re-enactments, while the doctor's surgery even has its sign advertising amputations at short notice! The typical entertainments and diversions of the time are well represented - Magetti's Wine Hall, famous for the game of Italian Bowls introduced by the Magetti family, and the eleven murders committed there; the Spencer Hotel; and a Bath House. |
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Staying in the Porcupine Township village is a memorable experience which encourages
visitors to discover more about the Goldfields, or try prospecting for gold.
Our success has led to increased interest in the region, with many guests returning
for further visits. The complex is a viable demonstration not only of the demand
for authentic recreation of Australia's history, but also for the opportunity
to explore and experience that history in greater depth. |
 Peter's
aim was to provide an attraction which fleshes out the
important 18 year period, 1835 - 1853, when Victoria's
foundations as an independent State were laid: the
gaining of independence from New South Wales colony, financial independence with the discovery
of gold and its consequential impact and influence on the development of industry,
life in general and the everyday life of people. His aim with Porcupine Township
was not to "sell" history, but rather to provide an interesting,
thought provoking and accessible venue which makes history and historical material
available to enable visitors to imagine and experience the hardships and inconveniences
of those early days while also being able to relate to the heady excitement
of those turbulent years. Confirmation that he has achieved his aim comes from
seeing visitors return, some several times over, bringing others with them.
Overseas visitors in particular comment regularly on the authenticity, serenity,
spirituality and ambience of the Township and its buildings, the original diggings
themselves and their bushland setting with its native birds and flowers in season.
People, particularly children, arrive with the idea that "history is boring"
- they leave with the sensation that history is anything but boring. Several
schools bring at least one coach load of each year for a living history lesson. |
The
Porcupine Township offers an Award winning insight into life on the Goldfields.
Its intention is to create appreciation and respect for the life and times
of a goldmining township without any reliance on modern technology or
enhancements. Tour buses, school groups and tourists can visit the complex
three hundred and sixty four days of the year to experience its fascinating
picture of the history and culture of the 1850s Gold Rush. The Township
provides visitors with an opportunity to explore at their leisure and
chat with the owners and staff about the history of the Township and Goldfields
area. Rest and refreshments are available at the Forty Feet Restaurant.
The Porcupine Township Terrace Units and Self-Contained Cottages
are a
village style complex consisting of two cottages and six terrace house
units. Each cottage and unit is unique, with distinctive individual colour
schemes, antique and period furniture and fittings, and private cottage
gardens. Many units have canopied beds, while others have ornate fireplaces
and timber panelling. All units have period dressers, chairs, wardrobes
and table lamps. 
Built
from stone and timber, the accommodation village is a short walk from the goldmining township
itself, and the licensed Forty Feet Restaurant. Our guests can enjoy
a memorable country retreat, and gain a richer experience of daily life in a
by-gone era than that available to the day tourist. They can explore the extensive
original gold diggings at leisure, and take the opportunity to meet Moses and
Priscilla the dingoes and our two draught horses.