Sovereign Hill Review & 25+ Things to Do
Are you planning a trip to Sovereign Hill and want to know what to expect?
Sovereign Hill is the perfect spot to step back in time with the kids and explore the Gold Rush era in the 1850s in Ballarat, Victoria.
An open-air museum, Sovereign Hill is set up as streets, shops, and houses that are filled with costumed staff who show what life was like in the 1850s. They even have gold panning, which of course, is a favorite thing to do among the kids.
We managed to spend most of the day at Sovereign Hill and did not see it all. There are so many fun things to do with kids at Sovereign Hill. Keep reading to check out our favorites!
My husband visited Sovereign Hill on school excursions as a kid, and there were plenty of students there on school excursions when we went. It was fun for Mark to show the kids somewhere he had gone as a kid, and they had the best time at Sovereign Hill. Sovereign Hill is a great place to learn about the past and spend time as a family.
Less than an hour and a half away from Melbourne, Sovereign Hill is an easy day trip with kids.
Visiting Sovereign Hill, General Information
Sovereign Hill is, in fact, on a hill. Sovereign Hill is set up to look like an old town, and the streets are dirt roads. Don’t do what I did; be sure to wear closed-toed shoes. They even recommend gumboots on wet days, due to the muddy conditions.
There are a few events that require you to sign up in advance. Decide which ones are important, as they may book up, or you may not realize that they aren’t running all day. Most events at Sovereign Hill are scheduled.
Sovereign Hill has suggested time frames for a reason. There is a greater chance of finding gold specs earlier in the day, so if that is important to you, head there first. It is definitely more crowded earlier in the day.
We did not plan our day and ended up going back and forth quite a few times to see what we wanted to see. In the end, we missed a few events due to poor planning.
Sovereign Hill is open from 10 am to 5 pm. We could have easily stayed there the entire time.
Want to visit Sovereign Hill from Melbourne but don't have a car? You can rent one or take one of the following day tours. Note that they do not all include entry into the museum. ✔️ Ride from Melbourne to Sovereign Hill ✔️ Private tour from Melbourne to Sovereign Hill ✔️ Ride to Sovereign Hill and Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Free Events at Sovereign Hill (Included With Your Ticket)
Everyone 5+ must purchase a ticket to enter Sovereign Hill. The ticket does not cover all activities, but it does cover plenty of fun activities, and it is not necessary to add any.
Tickets can be purchased in advance, but most activities are not bookable in advance. The free activities do not need to be booked in advance; show up a few minutes before they begin to guarantee entry.
Gold Panning
Sovereign Hill is best known for its gold panning, which is included with a general entry ticket. Gold Panning is at the front of the museum, to the left after the entrance.
Families can dig in the stream and add the dirt, rocks, and gold specs to a large bowl. Then, they sift through the dirt and hopefully find specs of gold.
Those who find gold specs can purchase a small glass bottle filled with water from the nearby shop. We got a bottle for $1 and filled it with the small amount of gold that we found throughout the day. Those who wish can purchase bottles that are already filled with gold specs.
Red Hill Mine Tour
There are 2 mine tours at Sovereign Hill, and the Red Hill Mine Tour is included in the general entry ticket.
Tours are self-guided and run consistently throughout the day. The Red Hill Mine Tour lasts around 15 minutes.
Blacksmith Demonstration
The blacksmith demonstrates how he makes iron hot and bendable while making an iron puzzle. This event is standing only. Get there a few minutes early for a good view.
Everything that was made at the blacksmith shop is for sale.
Printing Demonstration
The printing demonstration occurs a few times a day. Learn how printing was done in the gold rush era, and those who wish can get a souvenir poster printed.
Gold Pour Demonstration
I am not sure that I have ever seen liquid gold before.
The gold pouring demonstration is a timed event. There are seats, and each visitor must sit for the demonstration.
We learned about gold as a bar of gold was melted down completely and then re-hardened. This particular bar of gold is currently worth about $250,000.
My 8-year-old was the only one allowed to hold the gold, probably because she had asked a question earlier in the demonstration. She claims that the bar was extremely heavy, about the weight of her little brother.
Confectionary Demonstration
Across the road from the gold pouring demonstration is the confectionery demonstration. We learned how the popular raspberry drops are made, and a few kids were called up to help spin the candy press.
My 8-year-old volunteered after a couple of teens were called on and got to participate. We were the last ones to leave the demonstration, and each kid was handed a warm raspberry drop to try.
Meet the Butcher
Learn about the types of food that were available and why being a butcher was a great job in the 1850s.
Learn About How Life Was Different
Families can learn about the hard and chaotic life in the goldfields on the digging tour, life as a woman in the mines at “Pol the Sly Grog Seller,” and how different first aid is today than in the 1850s.
Become an Apprentice Tour
Learn about the types of jobs that were available and see which one would be the best for you.
We missed this tour as we thought that it was a paid tour, but it is included with your ticket.
Cottage Crafts
Join in on craft time at the cottage. Costumed staff lead the crafts, which take place at certain times each day.
Wheel Making Demonstration and Pull-a-Part Wheel
Participants can try their best to put together a wheel in the pull-a-part-wheel demonstration throughout the day.
We did not see this event, but I am sure that the kids would have loved to attempt to build a wheel.
For those who want to learn how it is done, there is a wheel-making demonstration.
Candle Making and Dipping Demonstration
There is a soap and candle shop with a large area in the back for demonstrations and candle dipping.
Kids can easily dip candles with their choice of colors after they learn how to layer the colors properly.
We did not make or dip candles, but we did watch other kids learn how to dip candles.
Playground
There is a large playground and play area outside the Sovereign Hill Cafe. It is not viewable from anywhere else in the museum.
I caught a glimpse on our way out, but the kids did not see it; otherwise, we would for sure have spent a lot of time there.
The playground is perfect for younger kids who do not want to listen to demonstrations and older kids who want to run around and play.
It would be a great place to picnic lunch or stop for a snack and a break for the parents.
Theatre and Street Show Performances
Some of the shows are scheduled, while others can be found randomly on the street, but there are plenty of characters roaming around Sovereign Hill.
Bowling
9-pin bowling is available in the saloon at the back of Sovereign Hill. We showed up when it was closed and forgot to go back. Bowling is open during the latter part of the day at Sovereign Hill.
Stoked Steam Engine
Head to the blacksmith for Stocked, a lesson on steam engines. This is a timed event that takes place for a short time during the day.
Go to School
School is not always available, and it was not running on the day we attended Sovereign Hill, but having participated in classes like this before, I know the kids would have loved pretending they were in school in the 1850s.
The school is generally open on weekends and during the school holidays.
Activities with an Additional Cost
Quartz Mine Tour
3 types of mining tours are an additional cost.
We did not know about the included Red Hill Mine tour when we signed up for one of the paid tours. Had we known, we probably would not have paid for a mine tour, but they were very different experiences.
The paid tours are 45 minutes long and include a ride down to the mines and a movie. Make sure to sign up in advance to get a time slot.
Old-Time Photographs
Sign up early for a time slot at the photography studio if you wish to have a portrait taken. Costumes are provided.
Candle Dipping
Kids (or really, anyone) can dip a candle and take it home. We watched a couple of kids get a lesson on color blending and how to make a rainbow candle.
Horse and Carriage Ride
Horse and carriage rides are held throughout the day. If this is something that you wish to do, make sure to find out the times as the horses take breaks throughout the day. Lines do form, and ticket sales end before the time listed on the sign.
The carriage ride is just a few minutes long. They do a loop of the main road of Sovereign Hill.
Aura Light Show
This is the one event that must be pre-booked online. The Aura light show begins at 7 pm on select dates.
The story of the gold rush in Ballarat is told with lights and sounds in a 90-minute show.
Food and Drinks
There are a few options for meals, snacks, drinks, and desserts at Sovereign Hill.
Sovereign Hill is best known for its pies and pastries at Hope Bakery. There is no seating at the bakery.
The New York Bakery is open daily for morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. There is plenty of seating.
On the weekends, Sovereign Hill Cafe is open for hot and cold meals. There is seating available inside and out, and it is located by the playground.
The United States Hotel Bar is open daily for drinks and light refreshments.
Mark got a pie from Hope Bakery and met us at New York Bakery for lunch. I had the soup special, which was very good. The kids had spaghetti bolognese, and we all shared fries.
Shopping
Sovereign Hill provides many chances to shop. There is a shop outside the entrance to the museum and another inside. Plus, there are shops scattered throughout Sovereign Hill.
The confectionery shop is one of the most popular shops, and hard candy is the most popular purchase. They say raspberry candy is the most popular.
There is a grocery store filled with souvenirs, and you can purchase items at the blacksmith’s, the apothecary, and the saddlery, among others.
Basically, anything you can think of, from clothes to accessories, to toys, to home goods, is for sale at Sovereign Hill.
We purchased candy, a small toy, and a personalized bookmark.
Spend the Night at Sovereign Hill
Guests can sleep over at Sovereign Hill at the Sovereign Hill Hotel. Family rooms are available, and some include bunk beds.
Parking is free at Sovereign Hill Hotel, and a buffet breakfast is included with each room.
Special Events at Sovereign Hill
- Winter Wonderlights (Christmas in July event)
- High Tea
- Class Trips
- Art Workshops
- Bush Fun Day at Narmbool
- Heritage Harvest Weekend
- Holiday Celebrations
Family-Friendly Accommodations Near Sovereign Hill
Those who wish can spend the night at Sovereign Hill. Their hotel has family rooms that sleep up to 6 guests.
Other family-friendly accommodations, including sleeping in a castle, are:
More Things to Do in Ballarat with Kids
- Kryal Castle Theme Park
- Ballarat Wildlife Park
- Ballarat Botanical Gardens
- Gold Rush Mini Golf
- Lake Wendouree Adventure Playground
- Eureka Gardens Playground
- Yorksdale Estate Central Park
Sovereign Hill FAQ
Gold was discovered at Sovereign Hill, located in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, in the 1850s.
Yes, there is gold in Sovereign Hill. A certain number of gold specks are sprinkled in the mining area each day for tourists to find.
While Sovereign Hill is good for all ages, it is best for school-aged kids.
Plan to spend at least half a day at Sovereign Hill, though most groups can easily spend an entire day at the outdoor museum.
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- Legoland Discovery Centre Melbourne
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