About this place
Ross was one of New Zealand's richest alluvial goldfields, famous for producing the country's largest nugget — the 99-ounce "Honourable Roddy" discovered in 1909. The nugget was gifted to King George V for his coronation, though it was later melted down to make a tea service. Today, Jones Creek offers the best fossicking access.
How it began
Gold was discovered in Ross in 1864-65, initially in surface gravels before extensive underground mining began. The town's wealth attracted investment in elaborate water races and tunnel systems. A replica of the Honourable Roddy is displayed at the Ross Goldfields Heritage Centre, alongside artefacts from the mining era.
The ground
The alluvial gold at Ross derived from rich quartz veins in the surrounding hills. Both coarse nuggets and fine gold are found, depending on location. The old tailings piles still hold gold that the primitive technology missed — they're worth sampling with modern pans.
