Winnecke Alluvial Areas, Winnecke Goldfield, Georgina Range, Central Desert Region, Northern Territory, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Winnecke Alluvial Areas	- not defined -
Winnecke Goldfield	Ore Field
Georgina Range	Mountain Range
Central Desert Region	Region
Northern Territory	Territory
Australia	Country

The Winnecke Goldfield is 15 kilometres south-west of The Gardens pastoral station homestead. Gold was discovered here in 1902, at what would become Winnecke Reward or Paddy's Goose lease. The goldfield suffered a boom and bust episode, and after 1905, after a period of intense activity, settled into a field mined by the occasional prospector or small parties of men.

The established gold mines cover a length of approximately 3 kilometres east-west, between the access track to the north, and a range of quartzite mountains to the south. Major mines were (from east-west), Big Gun/Ciccone's, Garlands, Golden Eagle, Black Eagle, Coorong, Junction, Winnecke's Reward/Golden Goose/Paddy's Goose, Melba, and Coronation.

Shortly after 1902, a large number of leases were pegged, only some carrying payable gold. These were from east to west, Fabians, Nick of Time, Golden Bluff, Big Gun being either side of Russell's Creek, Commonwealth to the north of Big Gun, Big Gun Extended to the west, then Dolphin Extended and Dolphin. Scud joins Dolphin to the west, then Eagle Extended, Eagle, Eaglehawk, and Eaglehawk Extended. Continuing west were the Adelaide claims, with Black Eagle north of Eaglehawk, to the west Black Prince, to the west again Black Duck, Black Swan, Black Gosling, and to the north of this the Coorong mine. North of this is the Junction mine, with Mount Bartlett and Lord Nelson adjoining to the east. Next is the Reward lease, with Proprietary on the west, Sapphire south, Emerald to its west, All Nations and Coronation to the north of Emerald, and Pearl west of Emerald. Macdonnell Ranges No. 1 adjoins to the south, and Melba further south.

When South Australian government geologist, H.Y.L. Brown investigated
the goldfield in 1903, he stated alluvial gold was being found at Russell's Creek at the eastern extent of the goldfield. Diggings were in a gorge along a creek flowing north of the range. Gold was discovered here November 1902 by Russell (surname), and with his mining partner had obtained 44 ounces in a few months, including a 19 ounce, and 23 dwt nuggets. Another party of four men were working further up the creek. One mile to the west, and south south-west of the Black Eagle mine is Webb's Gully. Again alluvial gold was found in a gorge along a creek running north from the ranges. The two Webb brothers with a party of four men had obtained 50 ounces in a few months, Brown describing the gold as clean and nuggetty.

Metal detectorists have also labelled a scree slope called 'The Ski Slope' south of the Coorong mine, and possibly just west of Webb's Gully. Nuggets may also be found elsewhere on the goldfield.

It is interesting to note these areas are south of the historic mines, and the alluvial gold must be shed from the quartzite mountain range to the south. The source of this has not been discovered.

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References