The Big Miner
Height
8 metres
Year Built
2006
Address
Gold Rush Golf, Western Highway (M8), Warrenheip, VIC 3352
The Lowdown
The Big Miner towers 8 metres above the Western Highway at Warrenheip, just east of Ballarat, Victoria. Built in 2006, this impressive statue depicts a gold miner from the 1850s gold rush era, complete with pick, shovel, and the rugged determination that defined those who flocked to Victoria's goldfields seeking their fortune. Located at Gold Rush Golf on the Western Highway (M8), the Big Miner stands alongside the Big Ned Kelly statue, creating a double attraction for Big Things enthusiasts. The location is fitting - Ballarat was the epicentre of Victoria's gold rush and the site of the famous Eureka Stockade rebellion of 1854.
Did you know?
"Ballarat's gold rush began in 1851 and attracted people from 30 nations"
History
The Big Miner was erected in 2006 at Gold Rush Golf, a themed mini golf attraction that capitalises on the region's rich gold mining heritage. The Ballarat region was transformed in 1851 when gold was discovered, attracting hundreds of thousands of fortune seekers from around the world. The influx of miners led to the famous Eureka Stockade rebellion of 1854, a pivotal moment in Australian democracy. The Big Miner commemorates the countless diggers who worked the goldfields, many of whom struck it rich while others left with nothing.
More Fun Facts
- •The statue stands alongside the Big Ned Kelly at the same location
- •Ballarat's gold rush began in 1851 and attracted people from 30 nations
- •The nearby Eureka Stockade site is where Australian democracy was born
- •At its peak, Ballarat was one of the world's richest goldfields
- •The Welcome Stranger, the world's largest gold nugget, was found near here
Visiting Tips
- 💡Don't miss the Big Ned Kelly statue right next door
- 💡Nearby Sovereign Hill is Australia's best gold rush living museum
- 💡The Eureka Centre in Ballarat tells the democracy story
- 💡Many historic buildings in Ballarat are worth exploring
Opening Hours
Outdoor statue visible at all times. Golf Rush Golf has specific operating hours.
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