The Welcome Stranger, unearthed on 5 February 1869 near Moliagul, Victoria, remains the largest alluvial gold nugget ever found in Australia, weighing a staggering 109.59 kilograms. Discovered by miners John Deason and Richard Oates just 3 cm below the surface, its net yield after smelting was around 71 kilograms of pure gold. At Karat.au, we’re thrilled to share this iconic piece of Australian mining heritage. Explore further to uncover its fascinating legacy!
While tales of gold fever have long defined Australia’s rugged history, none shine brighter than the discovery of the Welcome Stranger, the largest alluvial gold nugget ever unearthed. On 5 February 1869, two Cornish miners, John Deason and Richard Oates, struck gold—quite literally—in Bulldog Gully near Moliagul, Victoria. Searching near the roots of a stringybark tree, Deason’s pick hit what he first thought was a stone, snapping the handle. What emerged just 3 centimetres below the surface was a colossal treasure, forever etching their names into Australia’s mining lore. At Karat.au, we’re captivated by such stories, honouring the grit and luck of our nation’s gold rush pioneers while shedding light on gold’s enduring value. This legacy echoes the Witwatersrand Gold Rush, which transformed economies and societies on a grand scale, reinforcing the importance of diversification in any gold portfolio. The price of gold has fluctuated significantly over the years, reflecting its gold price history. Throughout history, gold has often been cherished not only for its beauty but also for its cultural significance, as evident in various ancient civilizations that revered the metal.
The Welcome Stranger, unearthed in 1869, remains Australia’s greatest gold find, embodying the grit and luck of our pioneering miners at Karat.au.
Weighing a staggering 109.59 kilograms gross, the Welcome Stranger was trimmed to 78 kilograms after clearing debris, with a net yield of roughly 71 to 72 kilograms of pure gold post-smelting. Its irregular shape, often compared to a horse’s head, measured about 60 by 31 centimetres. Too massive for any scale at the time, it was hauled to a Dunolly blacksmith, Archibald Walls, and broken into three pieces on an anvil. Sold to the London Chartered Bank of Australia for around £9,381 to £10,000, its modern value could reach millions—some estimates peg it at AUD $8.5 million as of 2019. Such figures remind us at Karat.au how gold’s worth transcends time, a lesson for anyone eyeing its market today.
The discovery wasn’t without drama. Deason and Oates kept their find hush-hush to dodge claim-jumpers, sneaking it to Deason’s hut under darkness before carting it to Dunolly. Sadly, no photographs or casts preserve its form—only sketches from memory remain. Melted into ingots soon after, the gold journeyed from Melbourne to the Bank of England aboard the steamship Reigate. Yet, its legacy endures through replicas in places like Melbourne’s Old Treasury Building and an obelisk near Moliagul, raised in 1897. For us at Karat.au, this tale ain’t just history—it’s a nod to gold’s tangible magic, a lure as potent now as it was then.
Deason and Oates, seasoned miners who’d unearthed smaller nuggets nearby, took different paths after. Deason stayed, tried mining ventures that flopped, farmed, and passed in 1915 at 85. Oates returned to the UK, wed, then settled near Bendigo to farm, dying in 1906 at 79. Their descendants reunited for the 150th anniversary in 2019, a reflection of the find’s lasting impact. This event also mirrors the global migration trends spurred by the California Gold Rush, which reshaped communities and economies worldwide.
Compared to the Welcome Nugget of 1858 from Ballarat at 69 kilograms, the Welcome Stranger stands unrivalled among alluvial finds. At Karat.au, we share these stories with pride, blending Australia’s golden past with clear insights for today’s enthusiasts, ensuring you’re informed—never advised—on gold’s timeless allure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Discovered the Welcome Stranger Nugget?
The discovery of a remarkable gold nugget in Australia was made by two Cornish miners, John Deason and Richard Oates.
On 5 February 1869, near Moliagul, Victoria, these partners struck gold just 3 cm below the surface. Their find, unearthed with grit and secrecy, marked a historic moment.
At Karat.au, we honour such tales of Aussie mining heritage, celebrating the enduring allure of gold with passion and integrity.
Where Exactly Was It Found?
The exact location of this remarkable discovery is near Moliagul, in Victoria’s Central Goldfields Shire, within the famed Golden Triangle.
It was unearthed at Bulldog Gully, just 9 miles north-west of Dunolly, on a slope at the base of a stringybark tree, a mere 3 cm underground.
Today, a granite obelisk marks the spot off Moliagul-Missing Link Road, honouring a historic find in Australia’s gold heritage.
When Was the Nugget Discovered?
The discovery of a remarkable gold nugget occurred on Friday, 5 February 1869, between 9 and 10 AM, as recalled by one of the finders.
It was struck by a pickaxe in the morning light, marking a historic moment in Australia’s gold rush era.
Unearthed near Moliagul, Victoria, this find remains iconic.
Karat.au proudly shares such tales, celebrating our nation’s rich mining heritage with passion and precision.
How Was It Transported Afterward?
After its discovery, the massive gold nugget was carefully transported with secrecy and care.
Initially hidden, it was later loaded onto a spring cart or waggonette, escorted by a convoy of trusted allies to a bank in Dunolly, roughly 16 kilometres away.
Some tales suggest it was disguised as farm produce.
At the bank, it was broken into pieces for weighing, before being refined and shipped overseas.
What Happened to the Nugget Eventually?
Ultimately After its discovery, the massive gold nugget faced a transformative fate.
It was smelted into ingots at a bank in Dunolly, yielding around 70.57-72.02 kg of pure gold. These ingots were shipped to the Bank of England via the steamship Reigate on 21 February 1869.
Sadly, the original form is lost forever, though replicas, crafted from memory sketches, preserve its legacy in Melbourne and Dunolly today.
