A Year in the Goldfields of California.
Newspaper Reports of Gold Finds.
Australian National Maritime Museum.
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The Diggings, 1851 to 1855
Thousands of people came from all over the world to gather up the surface alluvial gold.
They constructed elaborate pieces of mining machinery to separate the gold from the gravels
of buried creeks. They built simple dwellings for shelter and warmth. In the Red Hill Gully Diggings
you can see how miners lived and worked during the first years of the goldrush.
Highlight: Pan for gold - you may be lucky!
The Chinese Village, 1859
In the 1850s the Government appointed European officials called Protectors to look after
the Chinese miners. They set up villages where the Chinese lived, protected from the
often hostile European miners. At Sovereign Hill we represent part of the Golden Point
Chinese Village which was in Ballarat East.
The Township, 1854 to 1861
The buildings and businesses of the Township are based on those which grew in the late 1850s
to service the miners. Much careful research has gone into each building, and particular activities
centred upon it.
Highlights: Visit the shops or watch the craftsmen work at their ancient trades, many of
which are now dying out. Pay a call at the schools and cottages. Ride on a coach. Talk to
the costumed people who portray the diggers and townspeople of the period. There are free shows
in the theatre on most days of the week.
The Mining Museum, 1860 to 1918
On the boundary of the Township stands an imposing poppet head surrounded by the steam-driven
surface installations of a turn-of-the-century quartz mine. This is part of the Mining Museum
which carries the story of 'winning gold' beyond the 1861 period.
Highlights: Visit the Mine Information Centre opposite the poppet head, where you can learn
more about the steam-operated machinery in our Mine. Take a tour below ground through a 600 meter
long tunnel. Here you will see displays and dioramas illustrating the development of mining
techniques, and showing the conditions under which the miners worked.
Post Office, Main Street
This is a normal functioning post office, handling most types of mail and payment of telephone,
electricity and other types of bills. Postage stamps, aerogrammes, souvenir envelopes and stationery
are on sale.
The Sovereign Hill Gallery, Main Car Park
A comprehensive stock of fine gifts, Australiana and local craftwork is carried, together with films,
jewellery, cards and carry bags. A wide selection of books is available, from the hardbacks
specialising in Australiana and Victoriana to a variety of paperbacks and educational publications.
Guided Tours
Free guided tours are available:
Mining Museum (below ground) Diggings Chinese Village
Demonstrations
These include Musket-firing, Horse-shoeing, Sweet-making, Pill-rolling, Wood-turning and
the operation of various machines in the Wheelwright's Plant.
Note. This is the only operating wheelwright's plant in Australia. In fact we know of
no other in the world.
The show lasts about 90 minutes and runs six nights a week, Mondays to Saturdays. Sunday shows are offered during holiday periods.
There are also exhibitions on aspects of Ballarat's history beyond 1850s, and travelling exhibitions from other institutions.
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[Gold 150]
[Museum]
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[Gold 150]
[Museum]
[Library]
[UOB Page]
| Project Coordinator UOB - Heather Mays [E-Mail : hjm@mfs1.ballarat.edu.au] |
| Australian National Maritime Museum - Paul Hundley [E-Mail : paulh@anmm.gov.au] |
| Sovereign Hill - Peter Hoban [E-Mail : sovhill2@fs3.ballarat.edu.au] |
 | Queries ? Please contact Thoshan Ruberu [E-Mail : tar@mfs1.ballarat.edu.au] |