Imagine life 150 years ago amid the excitement of the travel weary Chinese prospectors who had just discovered one of the world's richest shallow alluvial goldfields. The world-class Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre tells the story of those miners and their arduous journey from Southern China to Australia where they dreamed of finding gold. Relive their great trek on foot from Robe in South Australia to the goldfields upon which Ararat now stands and learn how life was for these resilient explorers in a strange land. Designed in the traditional Southern Chinese architectural style and incorporating the principles of Feng Shui, the dramatic two-storey building with its authentic Chinese tiled roof houses a fascinating selection of interactive audio-visual and static displays. See the wonderful textiles, embroideries and relics of this rich culture. Discover the fun and delight of gold panning, try your hand at calligraphy, learn about the Chinese language and play traditional Chinese games. Become engrossed in the courthouse stories and see the replica of the mining tunnel uncovered during the construction of the Centre. The Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre provides an authentic snapshot of the Chinese culture from the 1800s through to the modern day. A truly interactive experience for visitors of all ages.
