Height
8 meters
Year Built
1989
Address
Western Freeway, Ballarat, VIC 3350
The Lowdown
The Big Miner in Ballarat stands as a powerful tribute to the thousands of prospectors who flooded into Victoria during the 1850s gold rush, forever changing Australian history. This impressive statue depicts a bearded miner in period clothing, gold pan in hand, capturing the hope and determination of those who came seeking fortune in the Victorian goldfields. Ballarat was the epicenter of the Australian gold rush, where the discovery of gold in 1851 transformed a quiet pastoral district into a bustling city of over 40,000 within years. The Big Miner welcomes visitors to explore this rich heritage through Sovereign Hill living museum, the Gold Museum, and the historic streetscapes that gold wealth built.
Did you know?
"The Welcome Stranger nugget found near Ballarat in 1869 was the largest alluvial gold nugget ever found"
History
The Big Miner was erected in 1989 to mark Ballarat's continuing celebration of its gold rush heritage. Gold was discovered in Ballarat in August 1851, triggering a rush that would see Victoria's population multiply tenfold in a decade. The goldfields also saw the Eureka Stockade rebellion in 1854, considered a defining moment in Australian democracy. The Big Miner commemorates the ordinary men and women whose backbreaking work built one of Australia's wealthiest and most beautiful regional cities.
More Fun Facts
- •Ballarat produced over 24 million ounces of gold, making it one of the richest goldfields in history
- •The Welcome Stranger nugget found near Ballarat in 1869 was the largest alluvial gold nugget ever found
- •At its peak, Ballarat's goldfields had over 40,000 miners
- •The Eureka Stockade rebellion at Ballarat is commemorated on the Australian flag as the Southern Cross
- •Gold is still occasionally found in the Ballarat area today
Visiting Tips
- 💡Sovereign Hill is a must-visit for the complete gold rush experience
- 💡Pan for real gold at Sovereign Hill - you keep what you find!
- 💡The Gold Museum has impressive nugget collections
- 💡Walk the historic Lydiard Street for stunning gold-era architecture
- 💡Book the evening 'Blood on the Southern Cross' show at Sovereign Hill
Opening Hours
The Big Miner is located in a public area accessible at any time.
More Big Things Nearby
Big King Neptune
A giant King Neptune statue at Two Rocks, WA, originally from the defunct Atlantis Marine Park.
Big Lizzie
Australia's largest traction engine at Red Cliffs, VIC, a working piece of pioneering history.
Big Ned Kelly
A 6-meter tall fibreglass statue of Australia's most famous bushranger, standing guard over the historic township where Ned Kelly made his last stand.