Sovereign Hill
Highlights
- Explore the excitement of the 1850s gold rush in a vibrant living museum at Sovereign Hill.
- Pan for gold at the original diggings and experience the thrill of discovery firsthand.
- Join a mine tour to delve underground and uncover the rich history of Ballarat's gold rush.
- Savour handcrafted Raspberry Drops, a unique treat made exclusively at 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.
But this isn’t the history lesson you got at school. Sovereign Hill puts you at the heart of the action.
Explore underground on a mine tour, cosplay as a gold rush character inside their 1850s photography studio, pan for gold on the diggings, hop onto a coach ride, see live rare trades demonstrations, try the iconic Raspberry Drops handcrafted only at Sovereign Hill, browse the shops, and meet some colourful costumed characters.
Images and Video
Accreditations
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ATEC India Host
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ATEC Indonesia Host
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ATEC Japan Host
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ATEC Tourism Trade Ready
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Quality Tourism Accreditation
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Sustainable Tourism Accreditation by ATIC
- Australian Museums and Galleries Association
- Australian Tourism Export Council
- Meetings and Events Australia
- Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
- Victoria Tourism Industry Council
Features
Tags
Current offers
VIP Rebellion Pass
The VIP Rebellion Pass is a premium, hosted experience offering exclusive access to Sovereign Hill. Enjoy a small-group behind-the-scenes tour, VIP gold panning with an expert (keep what you find), priority seating at the gold pour, and special keepsakes including a lanyard, gold jar and miner’s license. Includes full-day entry (10am–5pm) to explore before or after your session.
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
General access
- Offers multiple options for booking – web, email, phone is available.
- Offers a range of contact methods for receiving complaints.
- Companion Cards are accepted.
- Employs people with disabilities.
- Staff are trained in disability awareness.
- Assistance with booking arrangements (includes providing clear itineraries with written instructions on what to do at various destinations)
Communication
Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)
- Staff are trained in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges.
- Uses Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)
Hearing
Caters for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
- Staff are trained in communicating with people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
Physical – Mobility
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
Physical – Wheelchair
Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
- Step free outdoor pathways (includes picnic areas, barbecues and shelters)
- A step free main entrance to the building and/or reception area (includes ramps or slopes with a maximum gradient of 1:14, otherwise are too steep for wheelchairs)
- Step free access to restaurant, lounge and bar
- Lifts with enough space for people using a mobility aid to enter and turn around to use the lift buttons. Buttons are at accessible height.
- An accessible public toilet which is unlocked.
- At least one wheelchair accessible parking space with wheelchair accessible signage clearly displayed (International standards are 3200mm wide x 2500 mm high).
Allergies and intolerances
Caters for people with allergies and intolerances.
- Staff are trained to respond to allergic reactions.
- Complies with The Food Authority requirements for allergy management in food preparation.
- Equipment to respond to anaphylactic shock such as epi–pens and defibrillator.
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