Sovereign Hill

It had been a long time since we had visited Sovereign Hill. We had a wonderful time wandering around the large area and interacting with the staff who were in costumes suitable for their occupation here. This telling of how Ballarat was in the 1800's plus is so educational and it amazes me how innovative the people were. Perhaps we could all take some lessons in self reliance and caring for others in this day and age. It is an expensive outing but well worth it.

I have been so many times and each time I go there is something new to look at. The musk drops are to die for as are the acid drops. I love the atmosphere, especially at this time of year when they have Christmas in July and it snows each night. I love it and love taking my family and friends.

Fantastic day out. Our tickets were stamped when we went in so we could come back the next day for free, which we did. Even going 2 days in a row we didn't see everything.
Coach ride prices & Mine tour prices were very reasonable.
Lots of informative displays and lots of things to do.
Kids loved the candles dipping and watching the wagon wheel making.
Children under 5 are free entry. They are also free on the mine tours & coach ride.
We ate at the New York Bakery in Main Street for lunch which was also lovely.

Okay to be upfront, Sovereign Hill costs a lot for a family to get in. But it's so worth it, it is an amazing replica of olden days Ballarat and gold mining. The atmosphere, the actors and staff, all contribute to an amazing experience. Really enjoyable for young and old, and it's still amazing that this is a not for profit run organisation, dedicated to preserving our history. Do yourself a favour and get out there and experience it!

Approximate cost: $49.50

love this place have been a few times went when i was a child and now have taken my family here great day or night out here we all loved the lollie shops and cold panning here a little bit pricey but still a very enjoyable time to be had here can take in your own drinks and food as well and also is great food sold here as well and many gifts from the gift shop also

Approximate cost: $60

we love bringing the kids here every year, it is our special family treat that everyone looks forward to...it has things for the young and the old we love dressing up and having our photos taken in all the olden day clothes...their raspberry drops are the best...admission is very expensive but well worth it

Sovereign Hill is a great Tourist attraction for Ballarat!
I have been here multiple times and each time i leave, theres plenty to go back for.
Panning for Gold and the bonus, you get to keep what you find :) all the old style shops are great, the staff are always in character and very friendly. They even offer an experience where you dress up for photos!
Its pricey but a good day out

Approximate cost: $100+

Although this is very expensive the price is consistent with a general tourist attraction but its not a general tourist attraction! There is so much to do here a day just doesnt cut it! The light show at night is fascinating & one of the highlights for my trip. During the day there is so much to do! Pan for gold which you can keep, pose dressed up in period clothes for photo shoots, shop at the old time stores such as the lolly shop, or get locked up in the stocks for the fun of it! Great for young & old & inbetween. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes as there is alot of walking to be done here.

It's a great friendly place to take the family there's so much to do from tours of the mines to gold mining and making your own candle the staff are great and look great all dressed up I love buying the raspberry drops and there home made family pies it's a full day of fun to be had but I do think the price to get in is a lot of money room for improvement there

Approximate cost: $40

We have been to this place a few times. It's always welcoming and the staff are lovely. Love the costumes the staff wear. All old fashioned gear. You can pan for gold or just look through the old shops. The whole place looks like you've gone back in time. Easily spend a day here.

We took the family here a little while ago and intend to return in the next month or so. We had an absolute ball and the children learnt a lot about the Gold Rush while they were there.

It is set up as it was in Gold Rush times. A horse and carriage is driven through the streets, which you can get a ride on for a small fee. The streets are lined with wonderful little shops including beautiful old time crafts shops, a great lolly shop and a few cafes and restaurants that are all set back in the 1850s.

There is a great working blacksmith shop that allows you to see a blacksmith working and creating beautiful things that are also for sale in the shop there.

One of the highlights of out visit was going down into one of the mien shafts. It was great. Very dark! But great. Not only was it an adventure, but a story was told along the way. The children loved it.
Overall, we spent the full day here and we could easily send another day there as we are yet to see everything.There was just so much to see that I couldn't possibly put it all here. As a whole, I would recommend Sovereign Hill as a unique and interesting place a family visit.

Sovereign Hill, located just outside of Ballarat in Golden Point, VIC, is a must see tourist village for absolutely anyone. I have personally visited 4 times over a span of 20 years, and I would love to return at some point. Upon entering, you really do feel as though you have stepped back in time.

The village is based on Ballarat's main street and gold mining areas during the Gold Rush period. The village makes for a great historical and educational trip, but also a fun experience. I have never been bored or felt let down during a visit. There are a range of Gold Rush themed things to see and do for all ages - definitely something for everyone in the family, from ages 5 to 105. Attractions within the village include gold mine tours, gold panning, street performances (including theatre shows and soldier's parades), a real theatre, horse coach rides, dining options, open schools and houses, and a Gold Rush period shopping strip (including sweets, a saddlery, apothecary clinic, photographers room, blacksmith, goldfields necessities, printing press, groceries, candle makers, tinsmith, post office and more, many of which offer real products or services reflecting those during the time).

There are also activities at night, and for those who are not wanting to travel home late, there is accommodation available at the village.

Entry fees to the village, as well as prices for most services and activities within are quite expensive. However, it is a must see tourist attraction for anyone living in or visiting Melbourne!

Staff (including many role play actors dressed in the period style clothing around the village) are friendly and as helpful as can be. Role play actors are friendly and do a great job acting, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Sovereign Hill would make a great family day trip or overnight stay, especially if you have children studying the Gold Rush period at school. I believe they also offer school camps to some schools where children study the Gold Rush.

Overall, the only thing I can fault about Sovereign Hill is the prices. However, for the unique experiences offered, it is not completely unreasonable. I would definitely return.

What a great place to visit there is so much to see we had a fantastic day. It was as though we had gone back in time very well done. Loved the costumes and the cute houses, school house , gift shops and more. Well worth a visit so interesting!

This is a must see attraction. The reconstruction of how Ballarat once use to look like is simply amazing. Gold mining areas, shops and village life have been perfectly re-created to look like the real thing, that you actually feel you are in another era. The staff all wear period dress as well. There are also constant tours, demonstrations and live performances that are frequently taking place. You can even have a go at gold panning. If you need to relax, there are plenty of areas to sit down in and there is also a big eatery, cafe, bakery and other refreshment areas. They run a special tour at night, which is superb and not to be missed. The history of Ballarat and the Gold rush is explained in detail and then you get to see a fantastic light show. People of all ages will thoroughly enjoy this place.

For anyone who is a lover of yesteryear! Sovereign Hill Museum is one of the cleanest,well kept museums and pioneer village I have visited. There is so much to see it's recommended that you spend at least the whole day there. The kids will enjoy panning for gold in the creek and so will the parents. Highly recommended for kids studying Australian history!

One of the better "pioneer Villages" in Australia with plenty to do for everyone. We went to Sovereign Hill some years ago and at that time it was a rather wet, cold and windy day which made sight-seeing quite dismal. However this time the weather was great and there are a lot more additions to the park than before. There are displays and memorabilia to ponder and reminisce over, many buildings and structures to explore, demonstrations like tatting, wood turning, metal spinning, candle making and a host of others to astound and enthral each member of the family and re-enactments at various times during the day to keep you entertained. There are also a number of things to take part in yourself like panning for real gold, trying out the nine pin bowling or having your family picture taken in the costumes of the era, but be warned, this needs to be booked early as it is quite popular but not that cheap. A great place to spend the day, plenty to see, plenty to do and plenty of things to entertain, enthral and interest the whole family. Food and beverages could be a tad pricey, you just have to select your preference.

I travelled down to VIC from QLD for a family holiday, we stayed overnight in the Sovreign Hill Accommodation and it was fantastic! The package includes several tours, a huge themed dinner with your tour guide and a lovely room to stay overnight. Upon arrival, hosts provide you with a costume to wear throughout the tours.

Had so much fun haha. I reccomend this to families with kids and couples without kids. It's just so much fun for everyone.

A great day trip for older kids and families.
Be warned, it can get very cold, wet and muddy there!
Quite pricey to get in, and there are some other costs once you are in, such as if you want to buy old style lollies at the shop and a few other activities.
Makes for a fun trip if you have kids that will be interested, and there are lots of other activities to do in Ballarat at the same time.

A full day outing, wonderful for Kids as well.

Take plenty of money as food is a little costly.
Aside form the entry fee there are also things to see inside you need to pay for. Make sure you can walk though all of the underground tunnels as one of the signs is misleading showing a small train sort of thing going through it. As my partner has a sight problem, he would not be able to walking such a tunnel, so the purchase of the tickets was non refundable, I did ask if the event was on a ride and was told yes.

The Night show, Light and Sound was amazing. Taking you on a Bus ride to see everything.

Plenty of parking with Disable spots available, Gift shop in the building and another outside

Sovereign Hill is a great day out for the family and offers a unique insight into the way life was during the gold rush era in Central Victoria - it really is as though stepping back in time!

There are so many different stores to visit and explore, not to mention panning for gold or taking a horse and carriage ride!

The entry fee was very expensive - it cost us close to $150 for two adults and kids, then you should allow extra money for food and drinks, spending at the old fashioned lolly shop, tour of the gold mines, horse and carriage rides, etc.

Approximate cost: $300

Always send any out of town visitors here, it may be a little pricey but get there first thing in the morning and spend the whole day there, and then visit the gold museum across the road the next day on the same ticket. LOts of activies through the park, (gold panning, mine tours, skits around the streets) and dont forget the old fashioned pies and pasties.

Unfortunatley we did not have enough time to see everything there, we'll be back again and spend 2 days there (the second day is free if you get your ticket stamped on exit)> Worth the drive from Melbourne. As most venues like this the cafeteria food was substandard and must have been lined with gold to charge the prices they were charging!

Approximate cost: $170

Fantastic place to go for a day trip from Melbourne as its only 1.5 hours away.

We took overseas relatives there and they had a great time and got a good chance to experience something historical of our nation.

The lolly shop is a highlight as you can get those hard boiled lollies ... yummmm!!

Not a cheap day out but well worth a visit at least once, a lot of effort has been made by everyone to make a fun and 'authentic' atmosphere.

Approximate cost: $50

Love Sovereign Hill, we have moved from Ballarat now, and this is the kind of place you miss. The lolly shop is the best part of it, in my opinion, but the street acting and the mines are fantastic as well. Every time I go I stock up on candles which are well-priced and last a long time. Best fragrances too.

Going to Sovereign Hill is a great experience! Everything looks authentic: the food, entertainment, buildings and staff.

Watching them making the lollies and panning for gold are two things you have to try, and the underground mine tours are worth the additional cost.

I LOVE sovereign hill! The only thing stopping me from going more often is the expense! Its a great experience, and if you really get involved in some of the activities available, your sure to have fun! I love the lollies there! Overall, its worth it!

I love visiting Soverign Hill. It is such a wonderful place to go. Last year I took my family for the first time. My boys loved playing old fashioned bowling, making candles from scratch, visiting the old fashioned lolly shop (yummy), getting dressed up in old fashioned clothing and doing many more interesting things. When you go to Soverign Hill it feels like you have been transported back to Olden Day times. I love all the old houses and there is so much to do. We had a go at panning for gold and watched the Cannon being fired. Also, for a little bit extra we went on the Labriyth tour - down the mine on some special carts. Very interesting. Some bring your family along and have a fantastic day.

Whenever family or friends visit this place is always on the to do list, my kids love it and it's fun to be watch live action stories about Ballarat's history in such an inviting environment. I love the old world way of life around us when we enter the gates, and between visits, I often go to the gift shop and stock up on the old fashioned lollies.

Fantastic place to go! Spent all my money in one day though, very expensive! But if you made this a one off occasion this is definitely worth it! Great shops and historically amazingly well done!

Approximate cost: $Entry- $30