Victoria - Melbourne Suburban Towns - Gold Mining Town: Sovereign Hill is a living museum that tells the story of Ballarat as a gold rush town. Gold was discovered here in 1851, sparking the largest gold rush the world has ever seen. The sleepy pastoral settlement of Ballarat quickly developed into an elegant town that relied on the gold wealth.
Spanning 15 hectares on a former gold mining site, Sovereign Hill is a living town with more than 18 scheduled activities each day that bring the gold rush to life. You can pan for real gold yourself, witness a military rifle being fired, and see how candy, wheels and candles are made.
This outdoor museum has an international reputation as a living museum that showcases rare crafts, working machinery, exhibitions and docents in period costume.
Options
Sovereign Hill Goldfields One-Day Ticket
Ticket Validity : Ticket is valid only on the departure date.The Experience
Only Winter Wonderlights 2024 available from 28 June - 21 July, 2024
Winter Wonderlights ticket prices are slightly different to standard Sovereign Hill tickets.
Tickets available daily from 10am to 7pm
These tickets allow you to visit all your favourite attractions at Sovereign Hill throughout the day, plus enjoy the spectacular Winter Wonderlights show, which starts at 5:45pm after sunset.
Daily activities include:
Gold Rush Tour: Discover life in the early gold rush districts, led by a costumed tour guide.
Red Hill Mine Tour: Explore the dark and dangerous world of deep lead mining and witness the discovery of the famous 'Welcome Nugget'.
Gold Mine Tour (at your own expense, as listed in the price list): Take the gold mine train to go deep underground. The mining process is very hard. Workers have to work in the dark mine pits every day. The harsh mine environment caused by humidity, darkness and lack of air circulation is the miners' biggest nightmare. In the gold mine tour, you can take a small mine car to enter the working environment of the miners in those days. In the dark mine pit, you can see many display models of the miners working in those days. The tour guide will tell everyone the story of the miners when everyone enters the mine pit. The picture above is the "elevator" that the miners used to go to and from get off work at that time. At the end of the working time, everyone would rush to take it in order to get out of the mine pit. Therefore, many people died. It was very dangerous. You can choose an English or Chinese tour on the day! The Chinese tour can better understand the blood and tears of the Chinese miners in those days!
Gold panning: You can find real gold in the gold panning area, and you can keep it! Be sure to buy a gold flask in the Waterloo shop to protect your precious harvest.
Munitions Firing: Our troopers will tell you about law and order in the gold rush areas and show you how to load and fire a musket.
Candy Making: Discover how candy is made in the traditional way and taste some at the end of the demonstration.
Gold Melting: Pure gold is melted to 1000 degrees Celsius and poured into moulds to create pure gold and silver ingots.
Candle Making: Be mesmerised by the enticing aroma of a 19th century candle factory and watch our candle makers in action.
Bowling: Set up wooden pins and try out your bowling skills.
Wheelwrights: Watch our skilled craftsmen create the hub, spokes and assemble the wheel using traditional 19th century methods.
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
Travellers are advised to wear comfortable shoes and clothing
Travelers are advised to prepare sunscreen and insect repellent
Show times can be found on the official website. Please note that show times are subject to change without prior notice
No smoking inside the venue
Transportation information is for reference only; please check traffic conditions before departure
Please refer to the voucher for final itinerary information
For gold mine tours, please go to the mine tourism office (map 35) to reserve a spot when you arrive, as it may run out quickly during the day
Hours of operation may change due to maintenance, improvements or safety reasons. Please be sure to contact the service provider before purchase and visit their official website for the latest information on scheduled maintenance and closures, as well as closer to your planned travel date
Important Booking Information
Fees include ● Gold mine tickets
Fees do not include ● Transportation ● Insurance ● Personal expenses ● Additional items ● Expenses not mentioned above