Mining camp

Topic: The Australian colonies
Student activity

This is the student activity 1 of 5 of the The gold rush learning activity.

Task No. 1

Mining camp

[Mining camp, Victoria or New South Wales] ca. 1855-60

Examine the source and identify:

  • mine shafts (2)
  • men with shovels 
  • gold washing cradle
  • ordinary miners' tents
  • the Gold Commissioner's tent

Answer this question:

  • Which tent in this painting is similar to the inside of William Essington King's tent in Activity 4?

Conduct your own research on gold washing cradles.

  • where did this technique of washing gold come from?
  • explain how a gold washing cradle works.