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 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.
More images and information
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.
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.
ACCOMMODATION NEARBY
Inglewood Motel and Caravan Park
Inglewood Motel and Caravan Park is a 10 acre bush park privately owned and managed by Jerry and Pauline Wellman in the gorgeous gold-rush town of Inglewood, Victoria. The park is within walking distance to cafes, shops and hotel entertainment, and is surrounded by State Forests. Inglewood Motel and Caravan Park is a popular destination for tourists and is located within the renowned Golden Triangle - a region of the Victorian Goldfields which is world famous for the size, purity, and quantity of gold nuggets found in the area.
Wedderburn Goldseeker Motel
Wedderburn Goldseeker Motel offers classic country hospitality in the heart of Wedderburn, providing the perfect base for visitors to explore the beautiful Loddon Valley, the region's significant historical goldfields, and the surrounding towns of Inglewood, Bridgewater and Boort. Located two and a half hours from Melbourne and one hour from Bendigo, Wedderburn Goldseeker Motel is the perfect destination for your next getaway.
SEE ALSO
BBQ
Kingower
