The Warrentinna Goldfield

In 1879 gold was discovered at a fork in the Boobyalla River which started the Mt Horror Hoax. A rush for alluvial gold that may have washed in from Warrentinna. A pack-track was constructed from the Branxholm Hotel by the hotelier to ensure supplies to thirsty miners.

The gold fever recurred in 1890 when miners optimistically exploited a number of Warrentinna reefs as tributors to various companies. Over the years the companies folded and formed in new schemes. Batteries for crushing the ore were built and adits over 1000 metres long were dug in pursuit of golden shafts to fortune and leisurely retirement.

The Rebel Reef Mine was located at Mara Ponds which is on the southern end of the goldfield. It was reported in 1894 to feature a promising 18-inch seam of freely showing gold to Mr O’Kelly, Riley and Co. who had dug a 45 foot shaft. No evidence has been observed of the mine in the gardens.

On the neighbouring property there is the remnant shaft of Pearce’s Reef mine. It sits next to the dam. This mine is claimed to be where “Black Louey,” in found the first payable stone on the goldfield, close to the residence of Mr E. F. Dutton. Presumably the original building at Mara Ponds shown on maps of the goldfield.

It was reported that a trial crushing through of the Rebel claim was put through the Golden King battery, a five-head battery, driven by a water-wheel, which was erected by Mr Craw and Mr Burbury. The trial gave a return of 80oz of gold, worth £82.

Several sections were taken up by Mr Wm. Pearce, a resident of Branxholm (in Pearce St?), two shallow shafts were sunk, and a bulk crushing was sent to Lefroy for treatment. The yield was given at from 12 to 15 pennyweight per ton. Nothing further was done, on these sections till 1891. They having become forfeited, were again taken up by Nicholls and party.

The property also has the depression of the Brother’s Home Water Race that used to run for miles from Feneckers Creek along the contour to service the tin mine at Brother’s Home (old name for Derby).

The race runs along part of the boundary with the neighbouring property. There is little to see and permission is required from the owners for access.

In the lush green paddocks opposite, there is occasional subsidence from the Golden King Reef and the farmer occasionally has to fill holes to prevent cows disappearing.

At its peak, the township of Warrentinna included a pub, post office and was served by a tramway from the nearby Warrentinna Railway Station.

The township of Warrentinna and Golden Mara mine site were about 1.5 kilometres north of Mara Ponds. The town was located on Warrentinna Road and the mine in the native forest to the east. The area is now overgrown and there is no obvious relics. It is rumoured the minesite is accessible on foot by tracking through the bush off Duttons Road or Warrentinna Road at your own risk.

The most productive gold mine was the Golden Mara Mine. It consisted of multiple leases that covered 30 acres, to mine Branxholm, Little Branxholm, Coronella, Blue, Riley’s and Ascot reefs to shallow depths with the ore crushed at the “Dauntless” battery.

In 1911 the the Golden Mara Mining Company commenced operations at abandoned leases. Following promising trials, in 1912 the New Golden Mara Mining Company formed and a 284 foot shaft was sunk with crosscuts at 200 and 274 feet and a rise at 136 feet. Connections were made to various reefs.

However crushing results were unsatisfactory. In early 1916 the mine closed and was replaced by The Mara Gold Mining Company the following year; which mined the Coronella and Ascot reefs until 1921.

A total 3367 ounces of gold is reported to have been extracted to fuel the gold fever.

At the northern end of the Warrentinna goldfield there is Renown Reef; which was accessible via an adit just off Warrentinna Road. This adit was prospected in late 70’s by a local forester and part-time prospector. His feverish efforts were fuelled by rumours that a former mine manager attested that “the Renown area had produced four or five thousand ounces of gold”.

In commemoration, his name may have been recorded on the nearby road. The adit is still visible unlike most of the numerous prospectings in the area.

When walking around look at the quartz rocks. Who knows there may be a tell-tale glister winking the promise of the riches below.

WARRENTINNA GOLD FIELDS — PAST AND PRESENT Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas.) Tue 24 Nov 1914 Page 2