10 Interesting Facts about The Gold Rush in Australia

These following facts about the gold rush in Australia should have expanded your knowledge about what it was. The Australian gold rush was a period of significant migration of workers, both more locally and from overseas, to areas which had discoveries of gold deposits. There were a number of gold finds in Australia prior to 1851, but it is only the gold found from 1851 onwards which created gold rushes. This article will bring you much information about gold rushes and how really it happened. Therefore, to get to know more about it, here are other facts about gold rush in Australia you may consider interesting.

Facts about the gold rush in Australia 1: Edward Hargraves

Hargraves made the first official discovery in 1851. Other discoveries had been made before, but the governor of New South Wales did not approve them. All the three incorrect answers are men who made discoveries before Hargraves, but they were not official discoveries.

Facts about the gold rush in Australia 2: Ophir

Hargraves named the place as Ophir, near Barthurst, in a waterhole. John Lister, James Tom and William Tom accompanied Hargraves but the three men decided to give Hargraves the reward that was offered.

Facts about the gold rush in Australia 3: Governor Gipps

Governor Gipps was the governor of New South Wales who rejected gold finds. He was afraid that convicts would rush to the diggings. The whole country would be in chaos.

Facts about the gold rush in Australia 4: Wiliam Clarke

Because of William Clarke discovered gold in the Blue Mountain, Governor Gipps was terrified that convicts might flood the area searching for gold. Gipps had already rejected McBrien’s and Streletzki’s discovery.

Facts about the gold rush in Australia 5: Welcome Stranger

The Welcome Stranger is the largest gold nugget ever. It was discovered by John Deason and Richard Oates in 1869, weighing 2268 ounces. The Welcome Nugget is nearly as large, but not quite, about 50 ounces off. The Kerr Hundredweight was discovered by Jeremy Irving and was named after his employer, Dr. Kerr. The Holtermann’s Nugget isn’t a nugget because it is a mixture of slate, quartz and gold.

Facts about the gold rush in Australia 6: Ballarat and Bendigo

Ballarat and Bendigo were the most successful gold fields. They are known worldwide for its gold. Even for now, there are still diggers that wish to strike a fortune there.

Facts about the gold rush in Australia 7: Moliagul

Moliagul was the place known for its nuggets. It was where the Welcome Stranger and many other large nuggets were found. The site was near Dunolly, and many consider it as Dunolly. Ballarat and Bendigo were rich gold fields, but they were not famous for their large nuggets.

Facts about the gold rush in Australia 8: Clunes

Clunes was the place in Victoria that first confirmed finding of gold. William Campbell had found gold in March 1850, but had concealed it because he had feared that many mad diggers would come to his land. After a reward was set, Campbell claimed that he had found gold. In June 1851 it was confirmed. Campbell was give 200 pounds, which was worth a lot. He later became a politician.

Facts about the gold rush in Australia 9: Most Popular Gold Fields

Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie yielded much gold. They were some of Australia’s largest gold mines. Also, they are very close to each other. Other gold fields were established in WA, but these two produced the most.

Facts about the gold rush in Australia 10: Western Australia

The state that has produced the most gold was Western Australia. Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie yielded even more gold than all the Victorian gold fields combined together, although not many people went to these sites because it was already late into the 1800s. Western Australia produces 70% of the gold currently yielded.

Through the history of gold rush in Australia, you should have known that Australia is very rich of gold. Even now, you will probably get the gold yourself. Hope you found these gold rush in Australia facts interesting and useful for your knowledge.