At one stage in the 1850's it seemed as if the whole world was migrating to the Victorian goldfields to seek a beguiling fortune. People still come - they come to visit captivating heritage sites, sample luscious wines, fish on a still lake, wander with their thoughts through a quiet park and dine in a range of fashionable - and fashionably diverse - restaurants. They come to create their own kind of history. A region that once gave up the Welcome Stranger - the world's largest gold nugget - has much to reward the modern version of the 19th century digger. You might not strike gold, but you will stake a claim to a rich vein of memories.

Getting around the Goldfields of Victoria is simply a matter of following the signs bearing the golden G, the symbol of the official Goldfields Tourist Route. The carefully planned itinerary of historical and scenic attractions will introduce you to countless stories of luck, loss and fascinating lives. Or you can trace the shorter Golden Way through an enchanting series of intact goldmining towns.

As you drive past a pristine miners cottage or a splendidly restored country hotel, or enter an old mine where candles still burn brightly to light the way, remember to take your time.

Ballarat began in 1837 when squatters led by Willian Yuille camped on the shores of the Black Swamp, which now has been converted into Lake Wendouree.

Visit an age where gold laid the foundations of Ballarat and yielded majestic architecture and wide tree-lined streets. Join a tour of the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, home to the original Regional Gallery and Eureka flag. Admire the splendour of Her Majesty's Theatre, one of the country's most historic theatres.

Visit the Mining Exchange, where troopers gathered in 1854 before setting off to quell a revolt by miners at the Eureka Stockade. Nearby, Sovereign Hill faithfully re-creates the lives and times of a typical gold mining settlement it's people. Try panning for gold and take time out to speak to the storekeepers and miners.

The city blends its extraordinary past with an exciting present. Visit stylish cafes in Sturt Street, listen to live music in the pubs and indulge in restaurants by Lake Wendouree. The lake is also home to Ballarat's lush Botanical Gardens, which has more than 80,000 flowers in two garden beds alone.

View the display in the Robert Clark Conservatory - a showcase of outstanding floral displays throughout the year, including the city's splendid begonia collection from March until May. Don't forget to look John Howard in the eye as you walk down the famous avenue of bronze busts of past and present prime ministers.

Bendigo, known as the ceramic centre of Victoria - now a major regional city - displays an opulent heritage, and is considered one of the most impressive examples of 19th century 'boom town' architecture in the country.

The gleaming-white Alexandra Fountain, magnificent post office and law courts, the ornate Shamrock Hotel as well as numerous shops, hotels, churches and ostentatious mansions are evidence of huge wealth generated by mines deep under the city.

European settlers occupied the Bendigo district in 1839, when Charles Sharratt took up the Ravenswood Run. An overseer on the run nicknamed one of his shepherds 'Bendigo' after an English pugilist. The shepherd's hut became Bendigo's hut near Bendigo's creek. In late September 1851, gold was found here.

New safety equipment, introduced by Lansell and other Bendigo mine owners, enabled deeper high-yield quartz reefs to be followed. One of these mines, the Central Deborah, has been restored and is open for tourist visits. Its poppet head towers over the main vertical shaft, and visitors drop the equivalent of a thirty-storey building in 30 seconds. Some mining operations continue - it is speculated that a fortune in gold awaits present-day miners.

More than fifty of Bendigo's sites and buildings have heritage classification. Many cottages and commercial premises bear the distinctive hallmark of the city's golden era.