The French took to the Bastille..

The Australians stormed the local pub.....

Its not surprising that Australia's only civil war began in a pub.

In 1854 Ballarat miners wreaked havoc at Bentley's Hotel in protest at unfair gold licensing rules. Windows were broken. Furniture was smashed. Even walls were torn down. Eventually the hotel was burned to the ground

What could be described as the world's worst pub fight led to an uprising that became our only civil war.

Lasting only 15 minutes, the Eureka Rebellion claimed 36 lives yet it changed the shape of colonial history. The torn original flag is preserved in the Art Gallery. Discover Ballarat the birthplace of the Australian spirit......