Victorian Gold Rushes

The Victorian gold rushes of the 1850s helped shape modern Australia more than any other single event.

Victorian gold towns were unique in the world and created a pattern of up-country urbanization very different from New South Wales. This and the impact of the 1850s migrants, the most energetic and cosmopolitan to enter Australia until after World War II, created a colonial capital in 'Marvellous Melbourne'.

Weston Bate continues the sharp debate among historians about the importance to Australia of the Victorian gold rushes. His fresh synthesis draws together the large amount of writing on the subject and deftly highlights the profound economic, social and political significance of events.

Cover painting by William Austin, The arrival of the first gold escort'. La Trobe Collection, State Library of Victoria.