On hearing that there was gold to be found, thousands of people left their homes and jobs and set off to the diggings to find their fortune. At the start of the gold rush, there were no roads to the goldfields, known as the diggings, and no shops or houses there. People had to carry everything they needed. They travelled by horse or bullock, or by walking with a wheelbarrow loaded with possessions. At first there were mainly men at the diggings, but later on they were joined by their families. There were a few women diggers however, and the rich Bendigo goldfields were discovered by a woman.

At the diggings, the gullies were filled with claims, and so the ridges nearby soon became huge campsites. People lived in tents at first, and later on huts made from canvas, wood and bark were built. Gold buyers and traders set up stores. Hotels and boarding houses were established, built of wood and lined with calico. The government camps were made of wood, and included a jail and accomodation for the soldiers. At some goldfields there were even theatres where travelling performers entertained the diggers.

photograph © [2007] Jupiterimages Corporation

A few struck good finds of gold and became rich, but many did not. Mostly the people who did well were the tradesmen who sold food and equipment, or landowners who sold land to people who wanted to build homes and settle down after the gold rush. Some people who did not find gold stayed on at the diggings and made a living by providing services like selling food, doing laundry, running an inn or boarding house. Food and other goods had to be brought in by cart and so were very expensive.

People came to Australia from all over the world. Their intention was to strike it rich and return home to their own countries. For many, the journey to Australia took seven or eight months. There were many epidemics on the ships, and those who survived the journey arrived at the goldfields weak and unfit for the hard life on the diggings.

Fresh food at the diggings was limited, and the basic diet was mutton, damper and tea. Clean water was in short supply because the diggers muddied the creeks, so cleanliness was difficult. Sewerage was not disposed of in a sanitary fashion, and disease was common. There were a few doctors or chemists at the diggings, but not all were qualified. Many people died of diseases such as dysentery or typhoid.

Click here to see pictures of life on the Australian goldfields
http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/virtualexhibition/gold/Index.htm

If you use any part of this in your own work, acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Sydenham, S. & Thomas, R. Gold! [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2000)

Updated September ©kidcyber [2008]