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Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

4.4
#1 of 262 in Historic Sites in Victoria
Must see · Historic Site · History Museum
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Ever wondered what it's like to be a miner in a gold rush? Sovereign Hill recreates the experience for you. This open-air museum in Golden Point presents the area as it was after prospectors discovered gold there in 1851. As you stroll down Main Street, stop into the historically rendered metal workshops, schools, apothecary, bank, saloon, and post office and speak with historical interpreters dressed as townsfolk and prospectors from long ago. Tents and buildings invoking this past era surround the creek, where you can pan for real gold. See how to melt gold into bullion bars at the Gold Pour. You might even strike it rich, paying for your entire vacation! Put Sovereign Hill and other Ballarat attractions into our Ballarat trip planner, and watch your holiday take shape.
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Sovereign Hill reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
3,778 reviews
Google
4.5
TripAdvisor
  • Honestly $50 a head was pretty steep considering 1/4 of things were shut. The streets were quiet and not much seemed to be going on 
    Honestly $50 a head was pretty steep considering 1/4 of things were shut. The streets were quiet and not much seemed to be going on  more »
  • My hubs and I went to Sovereign Hill today, even on concessions the price is steep. I was excited as I had never been to Sovereign Hill and heard good things about it. Well let me tell you whats... 
    My hubs and I went to Sovereign Hill today, even on concessions the price is steep. I was excited as I had never been to Sovereign Hill and heard good things about it. Well let me tell you whats...  more »
Google
  • Sovereign Hill was an amazing outdoor museum experience. It helped me to better understand the history of Australia and how gold played and important part. We were lucky 🍀 with the weather. It was amazing to walk through the big museum, trying to find gold with the kids. The staff members were all dressed in traditional clothing and they were all very welcoming and kind. We very much enjoyed the tour to the big gold nugget. Yet, the kids enjoyed also to see the animals and waking through the old houses 🏡. A fantastic weekend trip from Melbourne, definitely worth it.
  • Although the buildings were made in the 1970s, they are all well looked after. The staff dressed up in that era and responded like they were still in the era made the experience realistic. I agreed with earlier comment that the comment from the diggers tour guide felt a bit political but she maybe doing what she was told to do and say. After reading someone else's comment about New York bakery, we went to Hope Bakery. Their pies and desserts were very nice. Their apple crumble was the best we had ever had. We decided to pay extra for the "Trapped" guides tour. We really enjoyed the experience going under ground as it made it felt realistic. The tour guide was the descendent of one of the victims and it made the tour felt extra special as he had the real connection to the story. The shops were also reasonably priced. The activities such as gold panning, bowling and candle decorating were also enjoyable. Lots of free demonstrations throughout the day, which made the whole day went by so fast. We really enjoyed our first experience at Sovereign Hill. Highly recommended for everyone.

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