Australia is a land rich in natural resources, a truly ‘lucky country’, full to the brim with potential and enterprise. Blessed with wide expanses of land, we have always looked to profit from our natural resources. Perhaps none have contributed as much to our country’s development, success and future, as gold.
Since the 1850s, discoveries of this most precious of metals have sparked several of the nation’s biggest gold rushes, emboldening people from across the globe to travel down under and try their luck on the goldfields of Oz.
From coast to coast, evidence of our gold mining heritage can be found in each State and Territory. It is a vital part of the fabric that has formed Australia’s identity. It is visible in the remnants of ghost towns that sprang up during the gold rush, and in thriving modern communities formed around successful gold mines still in operation.
The ongoing value of the gold sector to the people of Australia is apparent in the connection that has been developed between mining companies and the regions in which they operate. Far from causing a divide, mining has contributed to the growth of these outlying communities by being a mainstay of our economy for more than a century, providing job and educational opportunities in remote and regional areas, and bolstering local programs and facilities through generous funding or sponsorship.
In continuing to foster these connections, together we can build and support long-term initiatives to educate the next generation, and in turn, leave a legacy for gold. Bringing our mining history to life by combining it with tourism, provides a further opportunity that can be leveraged to connect the nation and our international visitors with gold.
Proof of such an exercise is evident in Victoria, where the ‘golden triangle’ was the seat of the 1850s gold rush - and remains the most significant event in the evolution of this state. As the gold fever hit, Victoria experienced an unprecedented population boom that crowned Melbourne in the 1880s as one of the world's biggest and most cosmopolitan cities of the era. Today, the Victorian Goldfields have preserved their rich gold mining heritage in those same provincial cities that were born during the gold rush. Ballarat and Bendigo remain home to iconic museums and historic landmarks of famous gold rush events, with many tours and attractions inviting visitors to experience a replica of the life and times of the 1850s, thus simultaneously delving into the past whilst celebrating the future.
Similarly, since Western Australia’s gold rush of the 1890s, the state’s ‘golden mile’ has offered reminders of those wild and vibrant early days. Life was tough for the original gold diggers in one of the most remote areas of our nation. Now, a wide variety of tours and attractions on offer across the outback towns give visitors insight into the heritage of WA’s Goldfields region. Historic buildings, character pubs, and the ghost towns of Leonora and Gwalia have been preserved, alongside diverse landmarks of cultural significance and one of the world’s largest, functioning open pit gold mines, giving visitors a glimpse of the future potential of our industry.
However, as the world’s second largest producer of gold, there remains a huge opportunity for ‘gold tourism’ in Australia, to further underline the significant contribution it has and continues to make to our social and economic fabric. Gold is a vital commodity and investment asset and is increasingly being utilised in new technology and medical advancements.
By combining modern technology with the outdoors, we are bringing Australia’s gold experiences to life for a new generation.
In October 2017, the Gold Industry Group launched the free Heart of Gold Australia app for mobile and tablet devices. By using interactive features such as augmented reality, audio visual stories, photographs and widgets, the app takes users on a journey to learn the story of gold and how it has shaped our nation.
The first-of-their-kind, Perth and Kalgoorlie Heart of Gold Discovery Trails excite and entertain people of all ages and provide a strong link between WA’s capital and its largest outback city. Visitors travel through time on a virtual adventure, from the vibrant operations of today to the early gold discoveries that transformed our State. Developed in conjunction with more than 40 tourism and heritage organisations, the trails also promote local services, resources, tours, and community activities or events.
As the world’s largest consumer of gold and the largest importer of the precious metal, China presents great potential for Australian gold tourism. Research conducted by Tourism Australia, also identified China as Australia’s largest international market by leisure visitors. This saw the Gold Industry Group release a Mandarin translation of the Perth Heart of Gold Discovery Trail, following the release of a reverse option that also included new interactive features.
In October 2019, the free Heart of Gold Australia app continues to expand to give locals, schools and visitors the opportunity to experience gold from anywhere in Australia. More than 30 existing gold experiences from around the country are now available via the app, featuring an interactive map, key features and contact information on each tour, attraction or historic landmark. In addition, new interactive in-app activities are now live, including a ‘uses of gold’ virtual game and gold mines to explore using virtual reality.
As a not-for-profit, member-based association, the Gold Industry Group was founded in 2016 following the success of a positive public education campaign about the gold industry. Representing a united voice for Australia’s gold industry, we’re determined to ensure all Australians understand and value our golden heritage, relevance and contributions as well its diverse opportunities and importance to the nation’s future. Now 50 members strong, we are championing several nation-wide initiatives and programs that are successfully educating the wider public about Australia’s gold industry.
Our industry is continuing to grow and evolve in the 21st century, adopting new ideas and embracing opportunities to collaborate with community. Together we can tell Australia’s story and leave a legacy for gold.
This article was first published in Minesite Annual 2019, a publication produced by the WA Mining Club.