The first of a two-part
Australian drama. The epic story of the 1854 gold miners' rebellion - the only armed insurrection by free men in Australia's history. Starring
1854. The emerging colony of Australia is bankrupt. Sir Charles Hotham , recently appointed governor, sees a way back to solvency: relentless policing of the licences required to dig for gold. Conditions become intolerable as violent ex-convicts are recruited to control the licences.
In the town of Ballarat, the situation becomes explosive and only needs a spark to set it off. Then, one night outside the Eureka Hotel, popular digger James Scoby is murdered ...
Written by TOM HEGARTY Directed by ROD HARDY