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Hand of Faith Gold Nugget Discovery Site

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  • 20210206 dsc 3810
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  • 20210206 dsc 3807
Kingower
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In the bush off Ironbark Dam Road, Kingower VIC 3517

Explore other locations around this area using our interactive map

Features

  • Famous gold nugget discovery site
  • Monument and memorial
  • Bench seat
  • Gold prospecting
The world-famous Hand of Faith gold nugget was unearthed in this spot in 1980 by Kevin Hillier. 

Hand of Faith is the largest gold nugget ever found with a detector, weighing in at a whopping 27.2 kg! 

Today the gold nugget sits on display at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas. 

The Hand of Faith Nugget, image source: Wikimedia
 
The nugget was found in the bush right off the main road through Kingower, a small town not far from Inglewood. 

The spot is right on the edge of the Kingower State Forest, which remains a popular destination for gold prospecting to this day. 


A large quartz monument commemorates the discovery of the gold nugget, erected by the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria in 2010. A plaque atop the monument displays the following text:

The Hand of Faith gold nugget
Weight 876 ozs
Found at this site by Kevin Hillier on 26th September 1980
Erected by Prospectors & Miners Association Victoria
2010

A plaque has been added to the base of the monument in memory of the gold nugget's finder, Kevin Hillier. 

How to get to the Hand of Faith discovery site


You will find the Hand of Faith discovery site by following signs from the intersection of Inglewood-Rheola Rd and Ironbark Dam Rd. 

Once on Ironbark Dam Rd, keep an eye out for the small sign affixed to a tree, indication the spot where you should turn into the bush towards the site. 

You can also reach the site on foot, beginning at the picnic area on Inglewood-Rheola Rd, opposite the Ironbark Dam Rd turnoff. 

Take a look at the map above on this page for exact location. 

Gold prospecting in the area


The areas around Inglewood and Wedderburn are famous for their history of massive gold discoveries, including the unforgettable Hand of Faith! 

The region remains a popular destination for gold prospectors to this day. 

If you're looking to try your luck gold prospecting around Inglewood and Wedderburn, we've put together this handy guide to get you started!

MORE IMAGES AND INFORMATION about the hand of faith


The Bendigo Prospecting Club Facebook page provides a photo album dedicated to Kevin Hillier and the Hand of Faith, which is a fantastic collection of images to check out. 

There is a website dedicated to the Hand of Faith, www.handoffaith.com, which is filled with stories and images.

The Golden Nugget Casino also has a page on the Hand of Faith, which still sits in their lobby today.

PROSPECTORS AND MINERS ASSOCIATION VICTORIA


Established in 1980, the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria is a voluntary body created to protect the rights and opportunities of those who wish to prospect, fossick or mine in the State of Victoria, Australia.

You can support the PMAV in their fight to uphold these rights by becoming a member. You'll also gain access to exclusive publications, field days, prospecting tips, discounts and competitions.

Check out the PMAV website for more information.


SEE ALSO




DID YOU KNOW...

  • Bushwalking is an excellent way to get outdoors and exploring nature.
  • Gold prospecting is the recreational act of searching for natural gold deposits in the ground using tools such as gold detectors, gold pans and gold sluices. The Goldfields region of Victoria is a popular destination for gold prospectors, with many of the world's largest alluvial gold nuggets found in the area!
 

Comments

Leave a comment

GLENN CAMERON
02/05/2021
sorry but are you sure of the year Kevin found the nugget ? -1981
Reply
Ray Swinnerton
29/07/2021
Pictures i took with Kevin at Kingower with the detector he used in 1980.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.600175886745581&type=3
Reply
Ray Swinnerton
02/08/2021
The link to the Hand of faith pictures isn't live. You might have to provide your own link again. I think the pictures are worth showing to anyone who is interested in The Hand of Faith nugget.24M2
Reply
Goldfields Guide
02/08/2021
Thanks Ray, I will look into why the link in comments isn't working - I have added the link to the page content above. Cheers :)
Reply
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