The Venus Gold
Battery is located on the outskirts of Charters Towers, which is about 1 1/2 hour car ride west of Townsville.
This fascinating gem from our colorful gold mining heritage offers an insight into an amazing real-life gold rush of the
late 19th century. The battery is a part of the National Trust and is of cultural significance as
the largest surviving ore crushing battery of its type in Australia and the oldest surviving battery in Queensland.
Originally constructed in 1872, it was a public / custom
mill at the height of the gold rush later to became a State Battery in 1919 to allow ore
crushing facilities for the smaller miner operations in the area and continued operating long after other mills had closed. By 1973 it ceased commercial operations after a century of service.
Today tours are available daily at the battery and cost.
Adults $15-00
Child $ 7-50 Aged 4-14
Concession $12-50
Family $32-00
One of the fascinating highlights
is a film presentation that details not only the process of
extracting gold from ore, the story of the Venus Gold Battery's working
life and as well a few stories of it's non-living residents.
Below is a replica of the poppethead at Columbia mine in Charters Towers. The
headframe is built over the real shaft extending to some 1768
feet in depth. It was from mine shafts such as this that much of the ore to be crushed came from.
Loss of silver refereed to the "Quick Silver" they used to help extract gold from the ore. Ore containing gold was washed with quick silver which dissolved the gold. The Quick silver was evaporated leaving behind the gold.
Once the Gold was extracted from the ore the gold was melted in "crucible" (pottery jars situated in the bench.) and heated in the holes in the furnace bench top. these were removed using the "tongs" also on the bench and the liquid gold (NOT THE BEER XXXX) was poured into molds to make ingots.
For a great short article "The Venus Battery is a golden Oldie" by ABC Winsome Denyer on the venus Battery in Charters Towers try this link:
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/10/14/2389658.htm
There are more ideas of what to do in Townsville on the Reef Lodge Backpackers other blogs as well as our face book.
For more information or if your after accommodation ask at the reception at Reef Lodge Backpackers Townsville, Queensland Australia. Or, contact us through our website www.reeflodge.com.au or Phone 07 47 211 112
For more information or if your after accommodation ask at the reception at Reef Lodge Backpackers Townsville, Queensland Australia. Or, contact us through our website www.reeflodge.com.au or Phone 07 47 211 112
ocated
on the outskirts of the city, the Venus Battery offers an insight into
the city's incredible real-life gold rush of the late 19th century. The
battery is of national cultural significance as the largest surviving
battery relic in Australia and oldest surviving battery in Queensland.
Constructed in 1872, it was a public or custom mill in its heyday and
became a State Battery in 1919 to provide ore crushing facilities for
small miners long after other mills had closed. It ceased commercial
operations in 1973 after a century of service.
- See more at: http://www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/visitors/ghosts_of_gold.shtml#sthash.qIQWsq8c.dpuf
Located
on the outskirts of the city, the Venus Battery offers an insight into
the city's incredible real-life gold rush of the late 19th century. The
battery is of national cultural significance as the largest surviving
battery relic in Australia and oldest surviving battery in Queensland.
Constructed in 1872, it was a public or custom mill in its heyday and
became a State Battery in 1919 to provide ore crushing facilities for
small miners long after other mills had closed. It ceased commercial
operations in 1973 after a century of service.
Guided tours are available daily at the battery, with one of the
highlights being a holographic film presentation that shows the process
of extracting gold from ore and the story of the battery's working
life. Come and meet the ghost of Mr E.H.T Plant, who built the
battery. He has some interesting tales to tell of some of the ghosts
you may just meet at the other sites around town.
- See more at: http://www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/visitors/ghosts_of_gold.shtml#sthash.qIQWsq8c.dpufLocated
on the outskirts of the city, the Venus Battery offers an insight into
the city's incredible real-life gold rush of the late 19th century. The
battery is of national cultural significance as the largest surviving
battery relic in Australia and oldest surviving battery in Queensland.
Constructed in 1872, it was a public or custom mill in its heyday and
became a State Battery in 1919 to provide ore crushing facilities for
small miners long after other mills had closed. It ceased commercial
operations in 1973 after a century of service.
Guided tours are available daily at the battery, with one of the
highlights being a holographic film presentation that shows the process
of extracting gold from ore and the story of the battery's working
life. Come and meet the ghost of Mr E.H.T Plant, who built the
battery. He has some interesting tales to tell of some of the ghosts
you may just meet at the other sites around town.
- See more at: http://www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/visitors/ghosts_of_gold.shtml#sthash.qIQWsq8c.dpuf
Located
on the outskirts of the city, the Venus Battery offers an insight into
the city's incredible real-life gold rush of the late 19th century. The
battery is of national cultural significance as the largest surviving
battery relic in Australia and oldest surviving battery in Queensland.
Constructed in 1872, it was a public or custom mill in its heyday and
became a State Battery in 1919 to provide ore crushing facilities for
small miners long after other mills had closed. It ceased commercial
operations in 1973 after a century of service.
Guided tours are available daily at the battery, with one of the
highlights being a holographic film presentation that shows the process
of extracting gold from ore and the story of the battery's working
life. Come and meet the ghost of Mr E.H.T Plant, who built the
battery. He has some interesting tales to tell of some of the ghosts
you may just meet at the other sites around town.
- See more at: http://www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/visitors/ghosts_of_gold.shtml#sthash.qIQWsq8c.dpuf
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