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Australia and its People › History
What was the Gold Rush and when did it occur in Australia?
- A major gold find in Queensland in the 1870s
- Gold discoveries in the 1850s that transformed Australia's economy and brought hundreds of thousands of migrants
- A discovery of oil in Western Australia in the 1890s
Why this is the correct answer
Gold was discovered in Victoria and New South Wales in 1851, triggering a rush that transformed Australia. Hundreds of thousands of migrants arrived from around the world, dramatically increasing the population and diversity. This period accelerated economic growth and calls for greater democratic rights.