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Australian Gold Rush Trivia Quiz

A quiz about the interesting period of the 1850s and 1860s. Gold is one of Australia's most important minerals.

A multiple-choice quiz by AW3404. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
AW3404

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
291,970

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
987

Last 3 plays: Guest 122 (5/10), Guest 131 (6/10), Guest 131 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who was officially said to be the first to discover gold in Australia? Hint

Paul Strzelecki

William Clarke

James McBrien

Edward Hargraves

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Question 2 of 10

2. What did Hargraves name the place where he found gold? Hint

Sofala

Ophir

Orange

Blue Mountains

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who was the governor of New South Wales that chose to not announce gold finds? Hint

Governor Gipps

Governor Matthews

Governor Phillip

Governor Johnson

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Question 4 of 10

4. What did Governor Gipps say to William Clarke when he discovered gold in the Blue Mountains? Hint

'Congratulations, Mr Clarke. You may claim your reward.'

'Is that real gold?'

'Hargraves already beat you there.'

'Put it away, Mr Clarke, or we shall all have our throats cut.'

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the largest ever gold nugget named? Hint

Holtermann's Nugget

Welcome Nugget

Welcome Stranger

Kerr Hundredweight

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Question 6 of 10

6. These two 'B's' of Victoria were the most successful gold fields. What were they? Hint

Bendigo and Buninyong

Bathurst and Beechworth

Ballarat and Buninyong

Ballarat and Bendigo

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which place in Victoria was known for its nuggets? Hint

Dunolly

Bendigo

Ballarat

Moliagul

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Question 8 of 10

8. Where in Victoria was the first confirmed finding of gold? Hint

Buninyong

Ballarat

Clunes

Bendigo

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which two gold fields in Western Australia were the most popular? Hint

Kalgoorlie and Kimberley

Coolgardie and Kimberley

Ballarat and Bendigo

Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which state has produced the most gold? Hint

Victoria

Queensland

New South Wales

Western Australia

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 21 2024 : Guest 122: 5/10
Nov 20 2024 : Guest 131: 6/10
Nov 20 2024 : Guest 131: 7/10
Nov 07 2024 : Guest 130: 4/10
Nov 07 2024 : Guest 101: 5/10
Nov 05 2024 : Guest 120: 7/10
Nov 05 2024 : Guest 101: 5/10
Oct 16 2024 : Guest 103: 0/10
Oct 15 2024 : Guest 14: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was officially said to be the first to discover gold in Australia?

Answer: Edward Hargraves

Hargraves made the first official discovery in 1851. Other discoveries had been made before, but the governor of NSW did not announce them (aka conceal the presence of gold). All the three incorrect answers are men who made discoveries before Hargraves.

2. What did Hargraves name the place where he found gold?

Answer: Ophir

The site was near Bathurst, in a waterhole. Hargraves named this place Ophir. John Lister, James Tom and William Tom accompanied Hargraves but the three men decided to give Hargraves the reward that was offered.

3. Who was the governor of New South Wales that chose to not announce gold finds?

Answer: Governor Gipps

Governor Gipps was afraid that convicts would rush to the diggings. The whole country would be in chaos!

4. What did Governor Gipps say to William Clarke when he discovered gold in the Blue Mountains?

Answer: 'Put it away, Mr Clarke, or we shall all have our throats cut.'

Governor Gipps was terrified that convicts might flood the area searching for gold. Gipps had already rejected McBrien's and Streletzki's discovery.

5. What was the largest ever gold nugget named?

Answer: Welcome Stranger

The Welcome Stranger was discovered by John Deason and Richard Oates in 1869, weighing 2268 ounces. The Welcome Nugget is nearly as large, but not quite, about 50 ounces off. The Kerr Hundredweight was discovered by Jeremy Irving and was named after his employer, Dr. Kerr. The Holtermann's Nugget isn't a nugget because it is a mixture of slate, quartz and gold.

6. These two 'B's' of Victoria were the most successful gold fields. What were they?

Answer: Ballarat and Bendigo

Ballarat and Bendigo are known worldwide for its gold. There are still diggers that wish to strike a fortune there!

7. Which place in Victoria was known for its nuggets?

Answer: Moliagul

Moliagul was where the Welcome Stranger and many other large nuggets were found. The site was near Dunolly, and many consider it as Dunolly. Ballarat and Bendigo were rich gold fields, but they were not famous for their large nuggets.

8. Where in Victoria was the first confirmed finding of gold?

Answer: Clunes

William Campbell had found gold in March 1850, but had concealed it because he had feared that many mad diggers would come to his land. After a reward was set, Campbell claimed that he had found gold. In June 1851 it was confirmed. Campbell was give 200 pounds, which was worth a lot. He later became a politician.

9. Which two gold fields in Western Australia were the most popular?

Answer: Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie

Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie yielded much gold. They were some of Australia's largest gold mines. Also, they are very close to each other. Other gold fields were established in WA, but these two produced the most.

10. Which state has produced the most gold?

Answer: Western Australia

Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie yielded even more gold than all the Victorian gold fields combined together, although not many people went to these sites because it was already late into the 1800s. Western Australia produces 70% of the gold currently yielded.

Source: Author AW3404

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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