Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre

If you are interested in Chinese culture and the Gold Rush era then the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre in Ararat, Victoria is a must visit. Located in the Grampians it tells the story of the Chinese miners who helped shape the town’s history. On Lambert Street (Western Highway) near the Grampians Visitor Information Centre it’s all ages and interactive. From the miner’s journey to Australia to hands on gold panning the centre has it all.

Through Time

During the Victorian gold rush, thousands of Chinese miners made the perilous sea journey from Southern China to Australia to find gold. Chinese immigrants driven by the dream of finding alluvial goldfields arrived at Ararat’s Canton Lead Mine. The Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre tells the story of the miner’s journey, the hardships they faced, racism, poor living conditions and the never-ending search for gold. They helped shape the region’s gold history and left a legacy that is still part of this town.

How Ararat was Founded by Chinese Miners

Unlike many other Victorian towns Ararat was founded by Chinese gold prospectors. In 1857 a group of Chinese miners found gold near Ararat and a rush ensued that eventually led to the town being created. The Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre tells this special story of how the Chinese immigrants founded Ararat. The displays at the centre show the goldfields the immigrant miners worked on and the impact they had on the town’s history. You’ll also learn about the hardships they faced and how their success is even more remarkable.

Exhibits at Centre

The Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre has a vast collection of Chinese artifacts, including tools used by Chinese gold miners, traditional Chinese clothing, and personal items that were left behind by miners. The life-size scenarios within the exhibits allow you to see what life was like for Chinese people during the gold rush. The history display shows both Chinese history and Victorian history and gives you a greater understanding of what life was like on the goldfields. Through courthouse stories and a look into the Ararat Court, Ararat Gallery and Ararat Sub-Treasury, you’ll get the full story of the miners and their legacy.

The Goldfields

At the heart of the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre is the gold mining exhibit where you can have a real life experience of what it was like to be a Chinese gold prospector in the Victorian goldfields. Walk in the shoes of a Chinese gold miner and see what daily life and struggles were like. From gold panning to seeing a replica gold tank the centre is all ages and hands on. A family friendly centre for all visitors to Ararat.

All ages

One of the best bits of the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre is the interactive Grampians tour. All ages can try gold panning and traditional Chinese calligraphy. Kids can learn about the tough journey the Chinese miners had to go through in the goldfields. The kids’ exhibits are a great way to learn about Chinese culture and its part in Australian history. School groups are welcome, and we have workshops and guided tours to fit the Victorian curriculum.

Centre Architecture

The Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre is not just a museum but a building. The building is a replica of a traditional Chinese pagoda and is a visual representation of Chinese culture in an Australian town. The design reflects the living culture of the Chinese people who once worked in the goldfields and fits in with the surrounding landscape. Inside the building, the architecture enhances the exhibits, creating a peaceful yet immersive space. We have gardens and a café so you can stay for a few hours. The Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre Gardens Lake Café serves food and drink after you have finished looking at the historical exhibits, food and sights to match the cultural experience.