Melbourne to Ballarat and Sovereign Hill

We departed Melbourne and headed to the hills where gold was first discovered in Australia.  In 1851, gold was found in the Ballarat area and fortune seekers from around the world rushed to Australia just as many gold seekers headed to California in 1848.  Today, at Sovereign Hill an outdoor living history museum replicates aspects of life in the gold fields.  We took a guided tour of the digging fields and learned about the harsh conditions which the early miners endured.  The Chinese and Irish were treated particularly badly by the rest of the miners and settlers.  We took a tour of  an underground mine on site which was in operation well into the 20th Century.  A main street filled with shops and a later period residential street were also interesting.  A highlight was the bowling hall which featured nine pin bowling.  We all took a turn attempting to get a strike without success.  Gold mining is still an important element of the Australian economy.

Dwayne Panning for Gold

Miners' Shacks and Postal ID Flags

Chinese Camp

Gold Mine Tailings

Main Street

Bowling Alley

Dwayne Hoping for a Strike