Step back into Australia’s gold rush era with a guided tour of the Venus Gold Battery in Millchester. Discover how this colossal 19th-century machine processed ore and drove the mining boom of Charters Towers.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1 hour 15 minutes
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels as the tour involves mostly flat walking over uneven surfaces
Wildlife
History
Charters Towers earned the nickname 'The World' because during its gold rush, it was one of the richest goldfields globally in the late 1800s.
Conservation
Efforts are ongoing to maintain the integrity of the Venus Gold Battery structure while balancing visitor access and heritage preservation.
Historic Australia
Step back into Australia’s gold rush era with a guided tour of the Venus Gold Battery in Millchester. Discover how this colossal 19th-century machine processed ore and drove the mining boom of Charters Towers.
Historic Australia operates from Brisbane City, Queensland, offering guided walking tours that explore the region’s haunted sites, true crime history, gold rush heritage and local landmarks.
The business presents a wide range of experiences across Brisbane and regional locations including Lutwyche Cemetery, Toowong Cemetery, South Brisbane (Dutton Park) Cemetery, Goodna Cemetery, Ipswich Cemetery, and Charters Towers. Tours vary from 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours and include specialist options such as the Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Original, Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Other Side, South Brisbane Cemetery Ghost and Boggo Road Jail crime tours, Haunted Brisbane and Ipswich CBD walks, and Charters Towers history and cemetery tours.
Guided by experienced storytellers, many tours emphasize historical research and on-site interpretation. Several cemetery tours request participants bring a torch; the South Brisbane tour is led by lantern light and provides a complimentary book. Some experiences pair historical storytelling with hands-on activities, for example the Venus Gold Battery experience and gold panning sessions at Venus Gold Battery.
Historic Australia offers both ghost and crime-focused walks, alongside history tours that examine gold rush heritage and notable local figures. Group sizes are intentionally limited on selected tours to maintain an intimate atmosphere and enhance safety on walking routes. Booking information, specific meeting points, accessibility details and exact durations are provided per experience at time of reservation.
Offerings also cover Ipswich Cemetery, Haunted Ipswich CBD, Goodna and Nundah cemeteries, bundled multi-tour events and seasonal scheduling with flexible dates and public holidays.
Location
Brisbane City, QLD
Base for many tours
Tours Offered
19
Ghost, crime, history and gold tours
Guides
Experienced storytellers
Guided walking tours
Tour Lengths
1–2 hours
Typical tour durations
Select dates, choose a guided experience, and reserve a spot on Lutwyche, Toowong, Ipswich, Goodna or Charters Towers tours.
Wear flat enclosed shoes
To safely navigate uneven and gravel paths around the battery, sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required.
Bring plenty of water
Queensland's inland climate can be hot and dry; staying hydrated during the 1 hour 15 minute tour is key.
Plan for Q&A
The guided tour encourages questions—prepare any curiosities about gold mining history or machinery ahead of time.
Photograph respectfully
Photography is welcome for personal use, but please respect any guidelines to preserve historic structures.
Flat enclosed shoes
Protect your feet and ensure stable footing on uneven, gravel, and dirt paths.
Water bottle
Staying hydrated is critical under Queensland’s sun, especially during warmer months.
summer
Sun hat
Offers additional protection from sun exposure during long outdoor stays.
spring
Light jacket or layers
Cooler mornings and evenings make layering necessary when visiting in autumn or winter.
fall