How to order your Gold Rush kit
The discovery of gold in Australia began one of the most significant periods in our history. This kit explores the history of the Gold Rush and its impact on our nation both then and now
The discovery of gold in Australia began one of the most significant periods in our history. This kit explores the history of the Gold Rush and its impact on our nation both then and now
HISTORY OF THE GOLD RUSH: Many people found gold long before the Australian Gold Rush. But they were all sworn to secrecy. Eventually, word got out and the Rush began
HISTORY OF THE GOLD RUSH: Australia’s Gold Rush came during an era of great change around the world and many people were ready for a big adventure
HISTORY OF THE GOLD RUSH: The government held back a Gold Rush for years, but once the secret was out, unimaginable wealth came out of the ground, changing Australia forever
LIFE AS A MINER: News of the Australian Gold Rush spread quickly around the world. But the journey for those who dreamt of striking it rich was slow, uncomfortable and dangerous
LIFE AS A MINER: There are stories of miners tripping over nuggets of gold. Yes, really! But most people had to work much, much harder to find their fortune
LIFE AS A MINER: People came from across the world to find their fortune. The mix of cultures made the goldfields an exciting place, but also a difficult place for some
GOLDFIELD JOBS: Butcher, bakers, candlemakers and every kind of shopkeeper you can imagine flourished on the goldfields while miners had money to spend.
GOLDFIELDS JOBS: You have a broken arm, sir? I’ll put a leech on your leg to draw out the pain. If you think that’s crazy, you haven’t been to a Gold Rush medical ‘expert’
GOLDFIELDS JOBS: Who would be a policeman when you could find your fortune in gold? And who’d want to mine when you could steal from others? The goldfields could be lawless places
FAMILY AND HOME LIFE: Goldfields families lived in tents or rough huts made with whatever they could find but wore fancy and unsuitable clothing.
FAMILY AND HOME LIFE: Children worked hard and didn’t often go to school. But playtime was fun and if you spent your spare time mining, you could even find some gold
EUREKA STOCKADE: Miners were so unhappy with how they were being treated by the government and police they began to organise themselves for a big battle
EUREKA STOCKADE: The miners may have lost the battle, but their fight led to big changes in the future
EUREKA STOCKADE: Irishman Peter Lalor’s name is one of the most significant of the Gold Rush because of all he achieved as the leader of working people
LEGACY: The right to a safe, secret vote to elect politicians was a fine result of the Gold Rush, though it took many years for all Australians to have equal democratic rights
LEGACY: The wealth of the Gold Rush built beautiful boom towns that tourists still come to see from all over the world