One day in May, 1857, 700 Chinese miners from Southern China, travelling overland from the Port of Robe, South Australia, to the Central Goldfields in the Colony of Victoria, rested at a place at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, some 400 kilometres due east of Robe.

This find marked the beginning of the Ararat Goldfield, which grew to a population of more than 30,000 in a mere few weeks.

In the first three weeks of mining, the Canton Lead yielded ninety five kilograms of gold and in the first three months, more than three tonnes.

The Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre is an authentic recreation of a traditional two-storey Chinese building, set in established Chinese gardens and forecourt. The Centre captures the essence of architecture in Southern China and is designed in principle with the Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui. This ancient Chinese art guides the design and placement of a building to take advantage of the flow of natural energy.

The ornate roof with its curled up hips is typical of Chinese design. Adorned with dragons and other mythical creatures, it has become a unique and striking feature of the Ararat skyline. The tiles were generously donated by The People's Government of Taishan, China and were fixed in place over a four month period by four specialist tradesman contracted from the city of Taishan.

Artchitect: Patrick Yeung.
Interior designer: John Challis
Feng Shui Consultant: Howard Choi

The unique Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre is a world class cultural, education and tourist attraction. It brings to life the history of the immigrant miners on the Victorian Goldfields in the late 1800's and is an important base for understanding and discovering the influence of the Chinese culture on the economic, cultural and social development of Australia.

Discover the fun and delight of gold panning, listen to, view and relive the goldfields way of life. Try your hand at calligraphy, learn about the Chinese language and view the relics, life like sculptured characters and authentic Chinese artefacts. Involve yourself with the Courthouse story telling room and admire the mining tunnel uncovered during construction. A true experience for visitors of all ages.