No matter though, because in 1875 the town became known for gold!
Sparking a century-long boom, at first prospectors came to try their luck in the fields. Then from 1931 to the mid 1970’s when it finally closed its holdings, the Golden Plateau Mine kept the workers coming. In 2004, Newcrest Mine rekindled gold prospecting in the area, with the mine now operated by Evolution Mining.
Now the shops are empty but the Cracow Hotel remains full of life.