New South Wales Government
NSW Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation
NSW Sport and Recreation
Lake Burrendong gold rush
A gold field adventure for years 5 and 6.
An exciting adventure awaits school groups who choose a Lake Burrendong gold rush program to explore the HSIE Gold Unit.
This program covers indicators from two syllabus outcome areas:
CCS3.1
- Describes ways of life associated with the gold rush era and colonial expansion from different perspectives
- Describes some aspects of colonial exploration and expansion and its impact on all Australians, including Aboriginal people
- Examines countries that have influenced Australia’s heritage
ENS3.6
- Evaluates alternative views about the use of the natural and built environments
- Examines how different factors can influence people’s interactions with environments
The Lake Burrendong Gold Rush was very well done, and good value for money. There were great links to the Gold Unit throughout the program, using language and labels to draw out the gold theme through all the activities. There was also a strong emphasis on teamwork, cooperation and coordination in all the activities. Bargo Public School
Located between Orange and Dubbo, Lake Burrendong Sport and Recreation Centre is the perfect base to encounter the rich landscape of Australia’s gold rush.
This five-day program for Year 5 and 6 students features a visit to History Hill at Hill End to experience a oncebooming gold town. The museum tour and a trip into the purpose-built underground mine showcase the lives and stories of gold rush miners.
Three days of activities at the centre incorporate themes from the Gold Unit, followed by a visit to a modern open cut gold mine at Peak Hill on the way home. This rounds off the experience by showing how things have changed since gold rush days.
Accommodation is in modern lodges sleeping eight, ten or twelve students per room. Teachers stay in twin share units with ensuites adjacent to the lodges.
Suggested schedule
Monday - Explore the history of gold mining at Hill End with a guided tour through the museum and underground mine. Students also get a chance to find their own gold with some gold panning. Arrive at Lake Burrendong Sport and Recreation Centre in the afternoon, have dinner and enjoy some of the fun games the centre has to offer.
Tuesday to Thursday - Activities during the three days at the centre complement the educational outcomes of the Gold Unit.
- Local history
- Cookout with damper and billy tea
- Bush dancing
- Rock climbing
- Orienteering and initiatives
- Traditional Indigenous Games and boomerang throwing
- Gold rush Olympics
- Gold trivia night.
Friday - Lunch is supplied for the return trip via Peak Hill Open Cut Gold Mine. Redeveloped as a tourist attraction, its interpretive signs, pleasant bushland setting and dramatic open cut mine make it a truly memorable educational experience. There’s a final chance to strike it rich with more gold panning, and the Dumper-Digger Truck tour of the mine is sure to be a hit!
More information
For enquiries and bookings contact Lake Burrendong Sport and Recreation Centre
Phone: (02) 6846 7403