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