Includes bibliographical references and index.

"An unsurpassed surge of humanity...In both words and images this book seeks to capture both the glory days and haunting reminders of 21 Victorian Gold Rush towns, which today are either small, sleepy, or non-existent.The authors have also identified slices of important, and often little known, history associated with each of the 21 towns.Topics as diverse as the lights of Cobb & Co, the pen of Henry Handel Richardson, the sinking of the HMAS Sydney, and the birth of an iconic wine, all have a link to at least one of the towns explored." -- rear cover.