The name of Oriental Claims may conjure up visions of hundreds of Chinese miners working with shovels and wicker baskets filled with dirt. In reality, it refers to a 19th century European mining company ‘The Oriental Company’, which worked this particular piece of the ground from 1876 until 1904. The term also acknowledges the significant contribution of Chinese miners to the area’s history.

Gold was first discovered in the Omeo district in 1851. As it was publicised in the Sydney and Melbourne newspapers, miners were soon heading to the area to stake a claim. In the fifty years that the Claims were consistently worked, its estimated total gold production was 58,000 ounces

Walks around the claims are  The Pioneers Lookout, Ah Fongs Loop and you can also walk to and from Omeo.