The Big Gold Nugget
Height
Large
Year Built
Address
Grove Hill Heritage Hotel, Douglas-Daly, NT 0822
The Lowdown
The Big Gold Nugget stands outside the historic Grove Hill Heritage Hotel and Museum in the Douglas-Daly region, about 30 minutes drive from the main highway. This sculpture celebrates the gold rush that transformed the area after prospector Harry Roberts discovered gold in 1872 during construction of the Overland Telegraph. Grove Hill became a mining centre with a stamping battery operational from 1887. The Grove Hill Hotel was built in 1934 from materials scavenged from abandoned mining sites during the Great Depression, serving as a licensed hotel until 2018 and housing a heritage museum. Today, the Big Gold Nugget has weathered significantly - much of the gold paint has worn off, making it look more like a big rock - but it remains a fascinating piece of outback history worth the detour.
Did you know?
"The hotel was built from salvaged mining materials in 1934"
History
Gold was discovered at Grove Hill by prospector Harry Roberts in 1872 during construction of the Overland Telegraph. A stamping battery became operational on 6 June 1887 to crush ore from surrounding mines. The Grove Hill Hotel was built in 1934 from materials scavenged from abandoned mining sites during the Great Depression. It operated as a licensed hotel until 2018, incorporating a heritage museum with local artifacts. When the owner retired and couldn't find a buyer, the hotel closed, but the Big Gold Nugget remains as a link to this disappearing piece of outback history.
More Fun Facts
- •Gold was discovered here in 1872 during Overland Telegraph construction
- •The stamping battery opened in 1887
- •The hotel was built from salvaged mining materials in 1934
- •Much of the gold paint has worn off over time
- •Grove Hill is now essentially a ghost town
- •The hotel closed in 2018 after the owner couldn't find a buyer
Visiting Tips
- 💡About 30 minutes detour from the main highway
- 💡The hotel and museum are closed since 2018
- 💡The nugget looks more like a rock now with the paint worn off
- 💡A fascinating piece of disappearing outback history
- 💡Combine with a visit to the Douglas-Daly region
Opening Hours
Outdoor display accessible at all times. Hotel and museum are closed.
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