The day started well with no hot water in the motel and we had all the dirt from the steam engine smuts of yesterday to wash off! There were some words said that I won’t repeat here, but you may be able to imagine.
Getting out of Melbourne was interesting to say the least. The only way we could drive out of the motel was to turn to the left about 50m to the traffic lights where we could go straight on or left – we really wanted to go right. We chose to go left thinking that we’d find a “U” turn or a side road to turn – well, that was our first mistake. We drove on for what seemed like ages with still no right turn possible and no side roads on the left where we could escape! The traffic was nose to tail going into the city - we didn’t want to go there!! Tom eventually did a U turn where there wasn’t actually much room and had to go back and forth a couple of times but we did get round and finally were going in the correct direction. When we got a bit further down the road, we saw a 4x4 going across the middle grass strip to turn – he obviously wanted to go right too! How on earth you’re meant to do any right turns from this main road we don’t know – it’ll have to remain a mystery!
We were under the disadvantage of not having a decent map either, but due to my magnificent powers of observation yesterday when I had seen the signs for Geelong, we did manage to make our way onto Highway 8 to Ballarat and arrived here at 11.15am. After getting lost trying to find the tourist info, we reached the Eureka Centre. In my research into places to visit, I had read vaguely about this and knew that it had formed a part of the basis of the Australian values. Basically it was a revolt by the goldminers in the Ballarat region against the corrupt authorities and the stringent way in which the regulation of mining rights was enforced. The police and government soldiers attacked the diggers and in the ensuing battle, 30 men died, mostly diggers. Publicity about the attacks caused support for the diggers and as a result, those charged with High Treason were found not guilty. The Licence Fee was abolished, and the diggers gained the right to vote and be represented in Parliament. (you can learn more from http://www.eurekaballarat.com/) Several of the miners went on to become political figures standing for the rights of the miners. One of the leaders of the revolt, Peter Lalor, went on to become a Cabinet Minister and Speaker of the House. The centre has many displays from the era, and unlike some museums, you are encouraged to hold and climb into several. Tom decided that we should have our photo taken in the stage-coach,
and a kind couple took pictures for us. It was a bit of a step up to the coach, although I made it without assistance, poor Tom needed a helping hand to get in.
Having spent an hour in the centre, we went on to Sovereign Hill, a gold mining village built like the real thing would have been.
It covers 14 hectares (that’s 64 acres in real terms). It’s a complete township with shops, a mine, gold smelting, candle making, brass turning, carriage riding,
panning for gold and on two evenings a week, you can see a sound and light spectacular “Blood on the Southern Cross” about the Eureka story. You even get the chance to go down a “real” gold mine, which has been excavated below the site, complete with sound and light show. Tom has some great video of this using the infra-red on the camera, but it was too dark for stills, and flash is not permitted. One of the highlights, already mentioned, is panning for gold, but with the weather as it was, we decided not to take part.
The stream is seeded with real alluvial gold every day, and you can rent a pan to try to find (and keep) it. Several of the kids had been there for some time, despite the weather, and one or two had even managed to find enough to cover the rental cost. Despite the showers that followed us around, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and finished off the day in the Gold Museum, where, as well as an amazing collection of gold nuggets,
(these are genuine, and worth AU$200,000), coins and the history of gold, there was a short filmed enaction of the settlers uprooting the aborigine peoples from their tribal lands, especially during the gold rush years. As with other places we’ve visited, these local museums and exhibitions are superb – very well laid out with plenty of information, which you can delve into at whatever level you wish.
Since it was now nearly 6.00pm, we thought we’d better find some accommodation so checked out our Budget Motel booklet and are now in the Alfred Motel on the North- West edge of Ballarat. We found a nice take away shop just a few hundred metres away and while we were waiting for our food to be prepared, we chatted to the lady who showed us the front page of their local paper. We told you about the high winds that devastated the area yesterday – well, Ballarat, being surrounded by lots of fields, the wind had whipped up the top dry layer and the whole town was enveloped in a red, gritty mist – the photo looked like something out of a sci-fi film from Mars. She said it virtually brought the town to a halt. All the vehicles we saw today had a covering of red grit.
I almost forgot – while we were debating whether to go round Sovereign Hill, we looked round the gift shop, and Tom made a purchase. I don’t suppose I need to tell you what it was, but this one is waterproof – and I needn’t tell you why as I’ve already said what the weather was like – so there we are, yet another useless (sorry, Tom) piece of baggage we have to find room for, and more pegs at home to house it!! Meanwhile, I didn’t even get a piece of gold, which would take up much less room in the suitcase. I did get a certificate showing what I’m worth in gold terms, and it’s certainly more than all his hats put together! (and everything else we own, and you own, and the kids own…..)
Tomorrow, I’ve found a couple of shops in Ballarat that I just HAVE to visit before we move on – now, how much did Tom’s purchase cost??
Hope you’re all well. Your weather looks like it’s as warm as ours is here so we hope you’re enjoying it. See you all within a month. Byee!
Getting out of Melbourne was interesting to say the least. The only way we could drive out of the motel was to turn to the left about 50m to the traffic lights where we could go straight on or left – we really wanted to go right. We chose to go left thinking that we’d find a “U” turn or a side road to turn – well, that was our first mistake. We drove on for what seemed like ages with still no right turn possible and no side roads on the left where we could escape! The traffic was nose to tail going into the city - we didn’t want to go there!! Tom eventually did a U turn where there wasn’t actually much room and had to go back and forth a couple of times but we did get round and finally were going in the correct direction. When we got a bit further down the road, we saw a 4x4 going across the middle grass strip to turn – he obviously wanted to go right too! How on earth you’re meant to do any right turns from this main road we don’t know – it’ll have to remain a mystery!
We were under the disadvantage of not having a decent map either, but due to my magnificent powers of observation yesterday when I had seen the signs for Geelong, we did manage to make our way onto Highway 8 to Ballarat and arrived here at 11.15am. After getting lost trying to find the tourist info, we reached the Eureka Centre. In my research into places to visit, I had read vaguely about this and knew that it had formed a part of the basis of the Australian values. Basically it was a revolt by the goldminers in the Ballarat region against the corrupt authorities and the stringent way in which the regulation of mining rights was enforced. The police and government soldiers attacked the diggers and in the ensuing battle, 30 men died, mostly diggers. Publicity about the attacks caused support for the diggers and as a result, those charged with High Treason were found not guilty. The Licence Fee was abolished, and the diggers gained the right to vote and be represented in Parliament. (you can learn more from http://www.eurekaballarat.com/) Several of the miners went on to become political figures standing for the rights of the miners. One of the leaders of the revolt, Peter Lalor, went on to become a Cabinet Minister and Speaker of the House. The centre has many displays from the era, and unlike some museums, you are encouraged to hold and climb into several. Tom decided that we should have our photo taken in the stage-coach,
and a kind couple took pictures for us. It was a bit of a step up to the coach, although I made it without assistance, poor Tom needed a helping hand to get in.Having spent an hour in the centre, we went on to Sovereign Hill, a gold mining village built like the real thing would have been.
It covers 14 hectares (that’s 64 acres in real terms). It’s a complete township with shops, a mine, gold smelting, candle making, brass turning, carriage riding, panning for gold and on two evenings a week, you can see a sound and light spectacular “Blood on the Southern Cross” about the Eureka story. You even get the chance to go down a “real” gold mine, which has been excavated below the site, complete with sound and light show. Tom has some great video of this using the infra-red on the camera, but it was too dark for stills, and flash is not permitted. One of the highlights, already mentioned, is panning for gold, but with the weather as it was, we decided not to take part. The stream is seeded with real alluvial gold every day, and you can rent a pan to try to find (and keep) it. Several of the kids had been there for some time, despite the weather, and one or two had even managed to find enough to cover the rental cost. Despite the showers that followed us around, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and finished off the day in the Gold Museum, where, as well as an amazing collection of gold nuggets, (these are genuine, and worth AU$200,000), coins and the history of gold, there was a short filmed enaction of the settlers uprooting the aborigine peoples from their tribal lands, especially during the gold rush years. As with other places we’ve visited, these local museums and exhibitions are superb – very well laid out with plenty of information, which you can delve into at whatever level you wish.Since it was now nearly 6.00pm, we thought we’d better find some accommodation so checked out our Budget Motel booklet and are now in the Alfred Motel on the North- West edge of Ballarat. We found a nice take away shop just a few hundred metres away and while we were waiting for our food to be prepared, we chatted to the lady who showed us the front page of their local paper. We told you about the high winds that devastated the area yesterday – well, Ballarat, being surrounded by lots of fields, the wind had whipped up the top dry layer and the whole town was enveloped in a red, gritty mist – the photo looked like something out of a sci-fi film from Mars. She said it virtually brought the town to a halt. All the vehicles we saw today had a covering of red grit.
I almost forgot – while we were debating whether to go round Sovereign Hill, we looked round the gift shop, and Tom made a purchase. I don’t suppose I need to tell you what it was, but this one is waterproof – and I needn’t tell you why as I’ve already said what the weather was like – so there we are, yet another useless (sorry, Tom) piece of baggage we have to find room for, and more pegs at home to house it!! Meanwhile, I didn’t even get a piece of gold, which would take up much less room in the suitcase. I did get a certificate showing what I’m worth in gold terms, and it’s certainly more than all his hats put together! (and everything else we own, and you own, and the kids own…..)
Tomorrow, I’ve found a couple of shops in Ballarat that I just HAVE to visit before we move on – now, how much did Tom’s purchase cost??
Hope you’re all well. Your weather looks like it’s as warm as ours is here so we hope you’re enjoying it. See you all within a month. Byee!
2 comments:
But do we have to melt you down to get the money?!?
you mention another piece of useless baggage you'll have to bring home... you did mean Dad didn't you?!! (Tee hee - sorry Dad!)
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