Step right into Sovereign Hill, a living museum presenting the story of
Ballarat as a gold rush boomtown.

• Experience life as it was during the gold rush period in Australia

  
  

• See with your own eyes the second-largest gold nugget in the world

  
  
• Journey deep into the underground gold mine, explore the maze of tunnels and learn about its history

— What You Can Expect —

【Sovereign Hill】

Sovereign Hill is a living museum presenting the story of Ballarat as a gold
rush boomtown. Gold was discovered here in 1851, triggering the greatest
alluvial gold rush the world has ever known. The sleepy pastoral settlement of
Ballarat grew rapidly into a fine provincial city built on the wealth derived
from its gold.

Covering 15 hectares of a former gold mining site, Sovereign Hill's Outdoor
Museum brings the gold rush to life through a living township with over 18
scheduled activities happening throughout the day, you can find yourself
panning for real gold, witnessing musket firing, seeing boiled lollies,
wheels, and candles being made all before your very eyes.

The Outdoor Museum enjoys international renown as a living museum featuring
rare trades, working machinery, exhibits, and costumed interpreters.

Daily activities in Sovereign Hill

[Tours]

• Orientation
  
  - Morning introduction sessions to help visitors understand the goldfields
  experience.

  
  

• The Diggings Tour
  
  - Explore Life on the early Goldfields hosted by a costumed interpreter.

  
  

• Surface Machinery

  
  
• Chinese Protectorate
• The Red Hill Mine Self-Guided Tour
  
  - Discover the dark, dangerous world of deep lead mining and witness the
  discovery of the famous “Welcome Nugget”.

[Live Demonstrations] —— (running multiple times daily)

• Confectionery Sweet Making
  
  - Discover how boiled lollies are made in the traditional way and enjoy a
  sample at the end of the demonstration.

  
  

• Wheel Making
  
  - Watch our skilled craftsmen create hubs, and spokes and assemble coach
  wheels using traditional 19th-century methods.

  
  

• Trooper (Goldfields policing)

  
  

• Our Troopers will tell you about law and order on the goldfields and demonstrate to you how to load and fire a musket.

  
  

• Gold Pour (Molten gold demonstration)

  
  
• Pure gold is melted to 1,000 degrees Celsius and poured into a mould to create a pure Gold Ingot.

• Redcoat Soldiers (Military drill)

  
  

• Quartz Rock Crushing

  
  

• Blacksmithing

  
  

• Times Office (Printing press)

  
  

• Candle Making

  
  

[HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES]

• Gold Panning (All day)
• There’s real gold to be found in The Diggings and it’s yours to keep! Make sure you stop by the Waterloo store and purchase a gold bottle to protect your precious find.

• Bowling Alley
  
  - Set up the skittles and try your hand at 9-pin bowling.

  
  

• Makers Series (Weekends & Victorian school holidays) - Additional charge

  
  

• Pull-a-part Wheel

  
  

• Red Hill Mine Self-Guided Tour

  
  

[Performances]

• Theatre Events at Victoria Theatre
• Street performances – changes daily

(Performance times are displayed daily on-site in the Victoria Theatre foyer)

Additional Charges Activities：

【Candle Dipping Experience】

Step back into the goldfields of the 1850s and take part in one of Sovereign
Hill’s most loved hands-on experiences. Learn how candles were traditionally
made in the 19th century, before electricity lit homes and streets.

Under the guidance of our costumed staff, visitors dip a wick repeatedly into
warm wax, gradually building their own handcrafted candle to take home. This
simple yet engaging activity offers a tangible connection to daily life on the
goldfields and is suitable for all ages.

【Mine Tour】

• Mine Tours are subject to availability and may fill quickly, so guests are recommended to arrive early (before 1:00pm) and book at the Mine Hut (map reference 35) upon arrival to avoid disappointment.

Experience the stories of 19th century mining and see how Ballarat’s miners
worked as they searched for gold. There are three separate guided tours to
choose from, each includes underground access via our inclined railway tram,
and a fully guided mine tour – the content of which varies subject to which
tour you choose! Don’t miss this opportunity to step back in time and discover
what it would have been like to be a 19th century miner.

— Three tour to choose from for Mine Tour —

• Labyrinth of Gold

Gain an insight into the daily life of Ballarat’s miners as they sought their
fortunes deep below ground. See original 19th century workings and
demonstrations of early mining equipment.

• Secret Chamber

Explore the immigration side of the gold rush story as you experience the tale
of two Chinese brothers, and discover the fortune they found, and lost.

• Trapped

The dramatic and true story of one of Australia’s worst underground mining
disasters – an event that unfolded in the late 1800s not too far from
Ballarat. (Please note: Trapped includes several seconds of darkness. There
are realistic sound, wind and water effects interpreting an underground flood,
and there is some strong emotional content. Parental discretion is advised for
your children.)

【Winter Wonderlights 2026】

• Snowfalls

Look towards the sky and marvel as Sovereign Hill turns into a snowy winter
wonderland. Please note that we use make-believe snow.

• Brass Band

Hear classic Christmas carols played by a good old-fashioned brass ensemble.

Time: 4.40pm-5.30pm

Where: Main Street

• Arts & Craft

Get inspired by the sights and sounds of Sovereign Hill with a hands-on art
and craft session. Get creative and make your own keepsake to take home.

Time: 11.00am-6.00pm

• Theatre Performances

Experience the magic of live entertainment at the stunning Victoria Theatre!
From captivating magic shows to interactive tours with special effects,
there's something for everyone. Even pantomimes promise laughter for the whole
family.

Time: Check the blackboard in the Victoria Theatre foyer for times.

Where: Victoria Theatre (map no.26)

• St Nicholas' Grotto

St Nick has changed address, swapping his Arctic abode for a cosy winter hut
at Sovereign Hill during Winter Wonderlights. Drop into St Nicholas’ Grotto
for a photo and, while you’re here, put in your Christmas wish list!

Times: 2.00pm-4.00pm | 5.00pm-7.00pm

Where: Parade Showground (map no.34)

• Explore the Diggings after dark

By day, our diggings are bustling with gold-seekers panning in the creeks.
Come night-time, it’s a whole new experience. Grab some food and warm yourself
around the fire as our soundscape transports you back to a typical night on
the diggings, complete with sing-a-longs, police raids and evening sounds.

Time: 5.30pm-7.00pm

Where: The Diggings (map no.8)

• Fairylight Fun

With over 18 kilometres of fairy lights weave your way around Sovereign Hill
taking in scenic views along the way. Start from the top end of Main Street
and meander through our picturesque Speedwell Street and Brightview Gardens.

Time: 4.30pm-7.00pm

Where: Brightview garden & Speedwell Street

• Shining Streetscapes

Main Street is illuminated with dazzling, vibrant projections accompanied by a
rousing musical score, telling a story of celebration and togetherness.

Time: 5.45pm-7.00pm

Where: Main Street

• Winter Wonderlights Dinner

A hearty winter meal of roast turkey and glazed ham served with roasted
rosemary potatoes, winter vegetables, steamed greens, gravy and cranberry
sauce. Dessert will be served alternately along with tea and coffee. Pre-
booking is essential. Add on your meal when purchasing a ticket online.

— Important Info —

• Admission is valid from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, allowing you to enjoy a full day at Sovereign Hill
• Winter Wonderlights display begins at 5:45 PM, once the sun sets
• Kindly note the time above is provided for reference only and the actual operation time may subject to change base on tour day situation