When did they discover gold in Australia?

Answer 1

Gold was first officially discovered in Australia in 1851, not far from Bathurst, New South Wales. Edward Hargraves had carefully studied the geology of the area and, convinced that it was similar to that of the California goldfields, from where he had just returned, went prospecting. He enlisted the assistance of John Lister, a man who had already found gold in the region. Lister led Hargraves directly to where gold was found, at Summerhill Creek, at a site which Hargraves named "Ophir". Hargraves has been credited with the discovery ever since, even though, by rights, credit should go to Lister.

Answer 2

The first gold in Victoria was found in Clunes on 11 June 1851, by James Esmond. However, on 9 August 1851, Victoria's goldrush began when gold was discovered at Mt Alexander, 60km northeast of Ballarat, and close to the town of Bendigo, in July 1851.

There is much conjecture about when gold was found in New South Wales. Surveyor James McBrien reported finding gold near Bathurst, NSW in 1823. Polish explorer Paul Strzelecki found gold near Hartley Vale in 1839. Reverend WB Clark found gold near Lithgow in 1941. However, gold was first officially discovered in Australia in 1851, not far from Bathurst, New South Wales.

Answer 3

Gold was discovered in Australia as early as the 1820s and 30s, but discoveries were kept secret, for fear of sparking off unrest among the convicts. There is much conjecture about who was the first person to find gold in Australia. It would be fair to say that perhaps we will never actually know who was the first person to find gold. However, there are some records of notable people finding gold. Surveyor James McBrien reported finding gold near Bathurst, NSW in 1823. Polish explorer Paul Strzeleckifound gold near Hartley Vale in 1839. All these discoveries were kept secret, for fear of sparking off unrest among the convicts. When Reverend WB Clark found gold near Lithgow in 1941, he was requested by Governor Gipps to keep quiet about it. However, as more people left the Australian colonies to join the gold rush in California, the government began to seek experts who could locate gold in Australian countrysides.

Gold was first officially discovered in Australia in 1851, not far from Bathurst, New South Wales. Edward Hargraves had carefully studied the geology of the area and, convinced that it was similar to that of the California goldfields, from where he had just returned, went prospecting. He enlisted the assistance of John Lister, a man who had already found gold in the region. Lister led Hargraves directly to where gold was found, at Summerhill Creek, at a site which Hargraves named "Ophir". Hargraves has been credited with the discovery ever since, even though, by rights, credit should go to Lister.
Edward Hargraves

Answer 4

Gold was discovered in Australia as early as the 1830s, but discoveries were kept secret, for fear of sparking off unrest among the convicts. Edward Hargraves is credited with making the first gold discovery in Australia, but he did not work alone. He had carefully studied the geology of the area and, convinced that it was similar to that of the California goldfields, from where he had just returned, went prospecting. He enlisted the assistance of John Lister, a man who had already found gold in the region. Lister led Hargraves directly to where gold was found, at Summerhill Creek, at a site which Hargraves named "Ophir". After reporting his discovery, he was appointed a 'Commissioner of Land', receiving a reward of £10,000 plus a life pension. The New South Wales government made the official announcement of the discovery of gold on 22 May 1851. Lister, however, was never given any credit or reward for his part in the discovery. (source: today.wmit.net)

Answer 5

Gold finds have been reported in New South Wales since the 1820s.

Source:

http://www.patricktaylor.com/australian-gold-rush

Answer 6

May 1851 near Orange by Edward Hargreaves.