Bethanga, Victoria

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Bethanga
Victoria
Population: 193[1]
Postcode: 3691
Location:
LGA: Shire of Towong
State District: Benambra
Federal Division: Indi

Bethanga is a town in north eastern Victoria, Australia. The town is located in the Shire of Towong Local Government Area, 390 kilometres (242 mi) from the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2001 census, Bethanga had a population of 193.[1]

Bethanga was established as a result of the discovery of gold. Gold was first reported in the Bethanga area in 1852, but it was not until 1876 that the discovery of a reef lead to the development of the Bethanga goldfields. Due to the nature of the gold bearing quartz reef, the gold was difficult to extract and the discovery of copper lead to a change in focus. It was not until the early 1890s that an efficient technique for extracting the gold from the ore and once again gold became the primary focus, with copper a by-product. Bethanga was removed from the list of goldfields in 1912, however some mining activity has taken place since.[2]

The town is located close to Lake Hume, attracting both retired people and commuters to nearby Albury-Wodonga. Facilities in Bethanga include a general store, primary school and three churches.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). Bethanga (L) (Urban Centre/Locality). 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
  2. ^ Bethanga Goldfield (PDF). Heritage Victoria. Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
  3. ^ Bethanga. Towong Shire Council. Retrieved on 2007-06-17.

Coordinates: 36°07′S 147°06′E / -36.117, 147.1

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