Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, Victoria | Museum

Sovereign Hill

Locality: Ballarat, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5337 1199

Address: Bradshaw Street 3350 Ballarat, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.sovereignhill.com.au

Likes: 134374

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• Arts and entertainment
• Landmark & historical place
• Museum

25.01.2022 It's your last chance to enter our Sovereign Hill Gold Lottery which ends at midnight. Go in the running to choose between a Range Rover Sport or $150,000 in gold! Buy your tickets now https://l.sovereignhilllottery.com.au/OyZUwt... All proceeds go to Sovereign Hill Museums Association.

25.01.2022 Everything's happening underground Join our mine tour and journey 20 metres underground to discover hidden gems like original 19th century mine shafts, and stories of hardship, discovery and innovation. Tickets available through our website: http://ow.ly/h8Os50Cw4FZ

24.01.2022 Did you catch our Redcoats during our re-opening weekend? Catch them when we return for the remainder of the Melbourne Cup day weekend. We're open 10am to 5pm until Tuesday 3 November. Then, every weekend onwards.... Book your tickets online: www.bookings.sovereignhill.com.au/ Chris Fithall

24.01.2022 We're ready for our BIG re-opening this weekend. Who's joining us? We'll be open this Saturday 31 October to Tuesday 3 November. We'll then be open every weekend onwards.... Melbourne, we're excited to welcome you back when restrictions ease from 9 November! Book your tickets online: https://bit.ly/2Ji2cmX

23.01.2022 Out with lockdown. In with playtime! There's so much for kids to explore in our Play Space! Discover our mini Main Street... Explore a giant ship Hop onto a horse carriage Go down a poppet head slide ... and more! We're open on weekends 10am to 5pm. Book your tickets online: https://bit.ly/338Xf6O

23.01.2022 Congratulations to our Sovereign Hill Gold Lottery Early Bird Prize Winner, Tanya Iadanza (ticket number 2,711)! Tanya has won the incredible choice between a $20,000 Myer shopping spree or $20,000 in gold! Buy your tickets today and you could win the Grand Prize - the choice between a Range Rover Sport or $150,000 in gold.... You need to be quick, tickets are selling fast! Get your tickets now: https://l.sovereignhilllottery.com.au/wR07nl

23.01.2022 Which of these activities will you do first when you visit us? Sweets demonstration Candle-dipping Mine tour... Gold Pour We're excited that these much-loved activities will return this weekend! We're open every weekend 10am to 5pm. Book your tickets online: https://bit.ly/2UmTaHi Plan your visit: https://bit.ly/32IfnUZ

23.01.2022 What do the Freemasons and a notorious goldfields bushranger have in common? Our good ol' Charlie Napier Hotel! Our Charlie Napier Hotel is based on an historical drawing made by J.E Butler in 1856. ... The original hotel was a popular social hotspot for the town's residents. Legend has it that infamous bushranger Captain Moonlight used to frequent the hotel's bar in the 1860s. Today, our Charlie Napier Hotel has a more sedate reputation with its chilled out dining area and bar. Located upstairs is the Masonic Lodge still used by the local Freemasons chapter.

22.01.2022 Thank you! We had a great time seeing everyone back at Sovereign Hill. We can't wait to have everyone back with us when we open again this weekend.... Book your tickets online: bookings.sovereignhill.com.au/

22.01.2022 Re-opening 2.0 accomplished! It was great to see everyone back at Sovereign Hill today. Let's do it all again tomorrow (this time, with sunnier weather! )... We'll be open this weekend until Melbourne Cup Day Tuesday 3 November, 10am to 5pm. Book your tickets online: bookings.sovereignhill.com.au/

22.01.2022 ''Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...' Join our historical interpreter Kaine Hansen for a re-telling of the Christmas classic, 'A Visit from St Nicholas'

22.01.2022 Looking for an adventure this weekend? Step out onto our goldfields and experience the excitement of the gold rush! This weekend, you can:... Cruise around in a horse carriage Search for buried gold Explore a mine 20 metres underground Did we mention our mouth-watering, hand-made lollies? Plan your Sovereign Hill visit: https://bit.ly/3advgr8 Carly.Yang

22.01.2022 School is back this summer! Go back to the 1850s for a lesson you'll never forget! Get out your dip pens and paper and learn 19th century handwriting.... Available this week only as part of our Summer at Sovereign Hill. Online bookings to Sovereign Hill essential, capacity limits in place: https://bit.ly/2LjN8Xr

21.01.2022 Have you seen our Christmas decorations dotted around our streets? They have been handmade by our talented crew of volunteers using traditional 1850s techniques. The decorations, including garlands and wreaths, are made from native flowers and leaves from our Bright View gardens.

20.01.2022 We’re excited to announce our Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades (CRAFT) which will open in 2022! The new Centre will celebrate and showcase Ballarat’s creative community of artisans and makers. Check out our wheelwrights’ hot tyring demo to get a taste of CRAFT!

19.01.2022 Welcome back everyone! Since we've re-opened, we're enjoying spending time with you all and seeing your smiling faces again. We love hearing your stories and sharing ours too!... It's like catching up with old friends! @NoSkyTooHigh @hayley.hobsonn @jadecockerell_ Juliana Addison MP Vet in a Van

19.01.2022 How do you like them apples? There's no doubt about it, kids will love the news that our toffee apples are back! All our toffee apples are hand-made at Sovereign Hill by our amazing team of confectioners.... Be sure to get your sweet apple fix this weekend. We're open 10am to 5pm this weekend. Book your visit: https://bit.ly/38ablH0 Finding Femme Goldfields Girl

19.01.2022 Why walk when you can ride! Our horse-drawn coach rides are back to take you around Sovereign Hill this weekend. We're open all weekend until Melbourne Cup day Tuesday 3 November, 10am to 5pm.... Book your tickets online: bookings.sovereignhill.com.au/

19.01.2022 Want to experience hands-on rare trades workshops *and* have exclusive access to our historical collection? Than you'll love what we have planned for our Gold Museum - Sovereign Hill as part of our ambitious new Master Plan! The Gold Museum will be transformed into the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades (CRAFT) and Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections.... At CRAFT, you'll be able to delve into hands-on workshops ranging from leather and metal to paper printing and textiles. CRAFT will be a celebration of rare trades showcased at Sovereign Hill alongside collaborations with new artisan partners. Access our rich collections at the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections. Discover the hidden gems and stories of the gold rush and beyond! Find out more about our Master Plan: www.sovereignhill.com.au/MasterPlan

19.01.2022 The Ballarat region is rich with stories and objects which connect the Wadawurrung community with their ancestors. Wathaurung/Wadawurrung elder Aunty Marlene Gilson shares her knowledge and digs up ancient stone tools in her backyard evidence that her ancestors once walked on the land where she now lives! . Produced in partnership with ABC Education... #NAIDOCWeek2020 #NAIDOCWeek #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe

18.01.2022 Need somewhere to stay for your Ballarat getaway? Stay in our comfy Sovereign Hill Hotel! With easy access to Sovereign Hill, you'll be staying in the heart of the gold rush action while enjoying stylish, modern-day comfort.... Bookings available by contacting us on 03 5337 1159 or [email protected]

18.01.2022 Happy birthday to us! On this day 50 years ago, we opened to the public! Our Ballarat community came together with a bold vision to bring the goldfields to life with the creation of Sovereign Hill.... Fifty years on, we're still here and you have been with us every step of the way. Thank you everyone for your support. We couldn't have done it with out you. Here's to another 50 years and more! We'd love to hear your stories. Share your favourite memories and photos of the last 50 years with us in the comments below.

18.01.2022 Welcome back summer! Would you believe it's been a *whole* week since we last saw our visitors? Let's catch up this weekend. We have so much in store for you, including:... Demonstrations Tours Hands-on activities Shopping ... and more (including some much-needed sunshine!) Plan your day with our full list of activities: https://bit.ly/33WGbRS Book your tickets online: https://bit.ly/37IKuBm

18.01.2022 Make your own Christmas garland using items from your garden. Garlands made from native flowers and leaves were used by goldfields residents to decorate their home during Christmas. They were made using flora found in the garden and bush.... Make your own fresh garland using native flowers and leaves from your garden.

17.01.2022 Join us for a story like no other... Get transported back in time with AURA, our stunning sound and light show. See the Wadawurrung creation story projected on our magnificent lake, gunfights and protests erupt under the night sky, and the gold rush is brought to life as never before... AURA is open every Saturday evening Online bookings essential: https://bit.ly/3snGOOi

17.01.2022 Today's weather forecast says ... ... it's the perfect time to visit Sovereign Hill! Join us as we bask in the glorious sunshine and blue skies at Sovereign Hill.... We're open 10am to 5pm this Melbourne Cup day weekend. Book your tickets online now: bookings.sovereignhill.com.au/

17.01.2022 Get up close with our horses this Melbourne Cup Day! We're open this Melbourne Cup Day public holiday from 10am to 5pm. Head to our website to plan your visit: http://ow.ly/wunU50C8xAr

17.01.2022 Enjoy a summer of fun in our gorgeous city of Ballarat! Discover exciting attractions, delicious food and refreshing drinks across the city Tell your friends and family it’s time to discover or rediscover Ballarat this summer. ... Plan your visit now: https://bit.ly/2LvsNxQ #SummerBallarat Ballarat Council

16.01.2022 Some traditions are worth keeping! Some of our rare trades displays have been with us since we started 50 years ago. Scroll through our album below to see our costume, wheelwrights and @SohoFoundry metal-spinning teams in action, then and now.... #ThrowbackThursday #SovHill50 See more

16.01.2022 Pack those Christmas stockings during your next Sovereign Hill visit! How many of our stores can you fit in to your itinerary? Confectionery Shop... Clarke Bros Grocers Apothecaries’ Hall Criterion Store See more

16.01.2022 It's the final round of our #SovHill50 quiz! When we opened on this day 50 years ago, our Main Street consisted of six reconstructed buildings. They were based on original businesses and buildings found on Ballarat's goldfields. ... Can you name all six buildings? Opening day at Sovereign Hill, 29 November 1970, Sovereign Hill Museums Association collection

16.01.2022 Happy birthday Lola Montez! This month marks the 200th birthday of one of the most (in)famous performers to hit the Ballarat goldfields. What are your favourite Lola moments recreated at Sovereign Hill?... 'Spider Dance' show where Lola lifts her dress to reveal her *gasp* legs! Lola horse-whipping Ballarat Times editor Henry Seekamp for writing a scathing review of her show 'The Art of Beauty' where Lola offers her beauty and lifestyle tips

15.01.2022 HURRY! The early bird prize draw for our Sovereign Hill Gold Lottery closes tomorrow (Wed 25 Nov). Get your Sovereign Hill Gold Lottery tickets before midnight tomorrow for your chance to win a $20,000 Myer shopping spree or $20,000 in gold!... You'll also be in the grand prize draw where you could be choosing between a Range Rover Sport or $150,000 in gold. All proceeds will go towards delivering your favourite Sovereign Hill experiences. Buy your tickets: https://l.sovereignhilllottery.com.au/mDsLrs

15.01.2022 How well do you know Sovereign Hill? In the lead up to our 50th anniversary this Sunday, we'll be testing your knowledge with our #SovHill50 quiz! ROUND 1: What was our original name before it changed to Sovereign Hill in 1970?... A. Sovereign Hill Park B. Ballarat Historical Park C. Ballarat Mine Park D. Ballarat Gold Park Original sign hung outside Sovereign Hill during construction, circa 1969-1970, Sovereign Hill Museums Association collection

15.01.2022 Join us for the last weekend of summer with all your favourite Sovereign Hill experiences. Plan your Sovereign Hill adventure: https://bit.ly/2PhfP93 @jamestoh.iphonegrapher via Instagram... Visual description: Horse carriage passing our costumed staff on our Main Street

15.01.2022 If a zombie apocalypse hits our town, we'll be sending out this trooper first @deedreams.studios on Instagram

15.01.2022 Have you tried our new ice-cream sandwich, the Gold Digger? Skip your meal and head straight for dessert with our chocolate-dipped, gingerbread vanilla ice-cream sandwich sprinkled with your choice of either Raspberry Drop, Fairy Drop or Humbug crumb toppings. You better hurry before our diggers eat them all!... Available only at Sovereign Hill this summer.

14.01.2022 Did you know that we have a team of expert animal handlers who care for our animals? Go behind-the-scenes and find out how they look after our animals, including our crew of 15 horses.

13.01.2022 Our live demonstrations are back this summer! See our team of rare trades artisans in action from candle-makers and blacksmiths, to wheel-wrights and gold-pourers ... and so much more! We're open 7-days a week from Boxing Day, 10am to 5pm.... Bookings online: https://bit.ly/2LJOpGP Chris Fithall

13.01.2022 It's #ThrowbackThursday which means we're delving back in to our archives as we celebrate our 50th birthday next month! In the lead up to our re-opening this weekend, we're sharing this children's entry ticket to Sovereign Hill from 1977. Who remembers getting one of these?

12.01.2022 Look who just stepped back to the 1850s! It was a pleasure hosting the delightful Livinia Nixon today for a live weather forecast on Channel 9. Thanks for joining us Livinia Nixon. You know how to rock that bonnet and crinoline!

12.01.2022 Want to join us for the coolest gig in town this summer? Ballarat Council are giving away tickets to our Summer Sundays (City of Ballarat) gig held Sunday 10 January. This is your chance to see the talented Clare Bowditch, C.W. Stoneking and Juan Alban.... Click here to enter: www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/competitions

12.01.2022 Add a personal touch to your Christmas gifts this year! Our personalised Raspberry Drops are back in time for Christmas. Give a loved one a unique gift hand-crafted at Sovereign Hill by our talented Brown's Confectionery team.... Take advantage of our special Christmas offer - buy three jars and get the fourth for free! Free delivery to Ballarat locals living within the following postcodes: 3350, 3351, 3352, 3355, 3356, 3357 and 3358. To redeem please use the code BALLARATLOCAL

11.01.2022 Our popular Christmas hampers are back! Give someone the best of Sovereign Hill this Christmas with a Sovereign Hill hamper. Choose from a colourfully delicious selection of hampers featuring hand-crafted goods made by our Sovereign Hill artisans in confectionery and candleworks.... Available through our online shop. Don't miss out! Click on the product tags in the images below to purchase.

10.01.2022 Hurry! Our Sovereign Hill Gold Lottery ends tomorrow at midnight. Don’t miss your chance to win the choice between a Range Rover Sport or $150,000 in gold! Buy your tickets today https://l.sovereignhilllottery.com.au/OyZUwt... All proceeds go to Sovereign Hill Museums Association.

09.01.2022 Time for Round 2 of our #SovHill50 quiz as we approach our Golden Anniversary tomorrow! The Ballarat community has been at the heart of Sovereign Hill since the beginning. Our community dug deep to support our original appeal to fund the building of Sovereign Hill. Everyone from local mothers' groups and schools to businesses contributed.... How much money did the appeal raise? A. $2,000 B. $12,000 C. $20,000 D. $200,000 Arrival of a Cobb & Co coach from Melbourne to Sovereign Hill on opening day, 29 November 1970, Sovereign Hill Museums Association collection

08.01.2022 Happy National Raspberry Drop Day! Did you know that we have over 20 different flavours of drops all handmade at Sovereign Hill? Visit us in person or see our online store for the full, delish collection including cola, peaches and cream and, of course, raspberry!... Visual description: Tegan, our lovely confectionery retail assistant, holding a jar of Raspberry Drops in our Confectionery Store

07.01.2022 This bit of paper could be your golden ticket to fortune. In the 1850s, miners had to carry a gold licence at all times to search for gold. Get your own gold license from our Government Camp as you enter the diggings.... Find out more about what's on at Sovereign Hill: https://bit.ly/3rIxt38

07.01.2022 What did you get up to this weekend? Boy, do our visitors have some stories to tell when they get asked this question! Just ask @on_the_waugh_path @minakojones and @milktea.wander who recently shared these pics of their Sovereign Hill adventures.... Go on your own gold rush adventure when we open next weekend 10am to 5pm. Bookings online: https://bit.ly/380ybAC

05.01.2022 GOLD LOTTERY GRAND PRIZE WINNER Drum roll Congratulations Jo Cramp (ticket no. 5838) who has won the choice between $150,000 in gold or a new Range Rover.... Thank you everyone who entered. Your ticket purchase has helped Sovereign Hill emerge stronger and more resilient into the future.

05.01.2022 Can you guess these two well-known Sovereign Hill buildings under construction in the 1970s? Tremendous work went in to bringing these buildings to life. Historical prints and images from the 19th century were used to reconstruct the buildings.... The buildings, along with others at Sovereign Hill, were then constructed by a workforce of over 40 people, including builders, subcontractors and Sovereign Hill staff. #ThrowbackThursday #SovHill50

04.01.2022 Who says hump day has to be boring? Plan your next adventure to Sovereign Hill this summer! Check out what's on: https://bit.ly/3skg6a3... Book your Sovereign Hill tickets online, capacity limits are in place: https://bit.ly/2LjN8Xr @rebeccalittle_ on Instagram

04.01.2022 Game on! How good is your hand-eye co-ordination? Test your skills with our 19th century street games all weekend!

04.01.2022 See our Redcoats live in action!

04.01.2022 EXCITING NEWS! To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re launching our 20-year Master Plan which will expand our site and enhance the visitor experience. Phase one of the plan will start in 2021 and will feature exciting new experiences, including:... Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades (CRAFT), a space to teach, learn and experience working with historic artisan tools and practices The Gold Pavilion (pictured), located at the entry of Sovereign Hill, will house three distinct exhibition spaces and will allow visitors to better understand the stories and time period before entering the site The Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections, a transformed Gold Museum - Sovereign Hill providing visitors with greater access to our culturally significant collections For more information, see our website: www.sovereignhill.com.au/MasterPlan

04.01.2022 We made it to the top of Visit Melbourne's Top 5 reasons to visit Ballarat! Watch the full video to discover the other Ballarat must-sees for your next trip. Now's the perfect time to visit us with the Victorian Government's recent $200 travel voucher offers to help boost regional tourism.... Find out more: https://bit.ly/3qKvQ5y

03.01.2022 Rebel miners. Pioneering women. Hard-working migrants. The goldfields had them all! Discover the people and events which made Ballarat a vibrant goldfields town on our guided tours offered as part of our Summer at Sovereign Hill program.... With our expert guides, you can explore our: Diggings Chinese Village Main Street Mines We'll be open 7-days a week from Boxing Day. Find out more: https://bit.ly/2LJOpGP Chris Fithall

02.01.2022 And just like that, we're open! Treat yourself to a fun weekend with family and friends. We're open this weekend 10am to 5pm till Tuesday 3 November. Then every weekend onwards.... Book your tickets online now: bookings.sovereignhill.com.au/

02.01.2022 Who will you meet on our Main Street? Will it be a goldfields gent? A trooper? Or perhaps a fashionable Victorian lady? Our costumed staff love a chat. Come say 'Hi' and hear some tales from a bygone era. ... You never know, you may meet a new friend! We're open Melbourne Cup Day 10am to 5pm, then every weekend onwards. Book your tickets online: bookings.sovereignhill.com.au/

01.01.2022 SUMMER AT SOVEREIGN HILL We're excited to announce our action-packed summer program as we re-open 7 days a week from 26 December. Many of your much-loved activities will be returning!... Experience the excitement of dressing in Victorian costume for an authentic 1850s style portrait in our Red Hill Photography Rooms Travel underground on our full Quartz Mine Tours and experience how miners lived and worked Have fun in true 1850s-style in our Bowling Alley ... plus so much more! Full details here: https://bit.ly/3nnuoUF

01.01.2022 Want to impress your Kris Kringle this year for Christmas? Delight them with our most delicious (and aromatic!) Sovereign Hill hampers featuring our handmade boiled lollies and floral candles! Each item in our hamper has been crafted at Sovereign Hill by our team of confectionery experts and candle makers.... PLUS free delivery to Ballarat locals living within these postcodes: 3350, 3351, 3352, 3355, 3356, 3357 and 3358. Use the code BALLARATLOCAL to redeem this special offer at checkout. Click on the product tags in the images below

01.01.2022 Who was John Alloo? John Alloo is credited with being the first Chinese restaurant owner in Australia, having established his eatery on the Ballarat goldfields in the 1850s His restaurant was a popular hotspot, serving European food and entertainment for miners. ... It was also a booking office for coach services Compare our recreation of Alloo's restaurant with an 1855 sketch by goldfields artist S.T Gill.

01.01.2022 Say 'Cheese'! Who else is excited about our Red Hill Photography Rooms re-opening soon? Get your 'ye olde portrait, like our friends Mitchell Harris Wines, from Boxing Day as part of our exciting Summer at Sovereign Hill program... We'll be open 7-days a week 10am to 5pm from26 December. Book your tickets online: https://bit.ly/2LF6DJz