VICMining
Golden Point
The hill where the Ballarat rush began.
1851Diggers rush to Golden Point
WHAT STARTED IT
In August 1851 gold was found in the hilly country beside the Yarrowee, first on a rise the diggers called Poverty Point and then, far more richly, on neighbouring Golden Point. The hill fell to a running creek, so claims crowded its slopes and cradles lined the water below.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
By late October 1851 thousands of diggers were working the Point, which was spoken of as the centre of the diggings. As the shallow gold gave out, mining moved to deep leads, and Golden Point became part of the municipality of Ballaarat East in 1857.
TURNING POINTS
1851John Dunlop and James Regan find gold at Poverty Point in late August; the richer Golden Point beside it soon becomes the heart of the rush.
1857Golden Point is taken into the new municipality of Ballaarat East.
1878Golden Point primary school opens, just north of the old diggings.
1941The Ballarat Historical Society erects a granite cross marking the Poverty Point discovery.
1970Sovereign Hill historical park opens on the Golden Point hill.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A residential suburb of about 2,200 people just south of central Ballarat, with its shops at Humffray and Grant streets. Sovereign Hill, opened in 1970 on the old Golden Point hill, recreates the diggings.