Author(s): Doug Bradby

History

What was life actually like on the goldfields? People travelled from all over the world to seek their fortune on the Australian goldfields. But when they got to Australia, they found life was tough. The diggers lived in makeshift tents that didn't keep out the weather or thieves. The food was bad, clean water was scarce and every day was full of danger. How did these early emigrants make a life for themselves in this harsh new place? Focusing on the Victorian diggings, Life on the Goldfields shows how these improvised communities became town and cities.