gold was found at milparinka, which became the centre for the albert goldfields in the 1880s. two other nearby gold towns, albert and mount browne, were abandoned because of the lack of water. during the peak of the goldrush, milparinka had a population of more than 3000 people. by 1893 most people had left. today there are only a few buildings left, the hotel, the courthouse, police station, and the remains of the post office.