The Sovereign Hill complex is on a sprawling 25 hectare site, highlighting gold mining, historic buildings, actors dressed in Victorian garb, antiques, artwork, books, machinery, livestock and a museum.
James Dunlop and James Reagan discovered gold on August 21, 1851 that started the Ballarat gold rush. In 1858, Cornish miners found the famed “Welcome” nugget, which weighed 69 kg and was assayed at 99 percent pure gold. This is the second largest gold nugget ever found anywhere.
Gold, of course, is the main attraction here, and visitors can pan for gold in a meandering creek. Tents and buildings contemporaneous to the period surround the area.
The self-guided tour at Red Hill Mine relates the story of the hard rock Cornish miners and their discovery of the “Welcome” nugget.
Machinery that pumped water and processed ore is displayed for tourists.
Visitors may tour the main street, which features a blacksmith’s shop, apothecary, bakery, bank and other period buildings. Actors wearing period attire answer questions and pose for photographs.
At night, the sound and lights show called “Blood on the Southern Cross” is featured. This event depicts the Eureka Rebellion when miners and government soldiers clashed on December 3, 1854.
Visitors will see the spectacular burning of the Eureka Hotel and hear the miners swear an oath to a new Australian flag.
Various modes of transportation are available to visit Sovereign Hill in Ballarat. Tourists can visit this attraction by train, tour coach services or car.
The closest airport to Sovereign Hill is at Melbourne (Tullamarine). I Want That Flight can find you a flight.
Driving along the Western Highway from Melbourne will land visitors at Sovereign Hill in about 90 minutes. From Melbourne Airport, the drive is about one hour. On arrival in Ballarat, visitors can follow tourist signs to Sovereign Hill on Bradshaw Street.
The Goldrush Special leaves the train station in Melbourne at 9:08 am on Monday through Saturday and arrives at Ballarat at 10:32 am. The Sunday train departs at 9:28 pm and arrives at 10:51 am.
A later train departs Melbourne at 4:00 pm on Monday through Friday and arrives at 5:32 pm. On Saturday, the late train leaves at 4:10 pm and arrives at 5:27 pm. On Sunday, a train departs at 4:00 pm and arrives at 5:26 pm. For an up to date schedule, check the VLine website.
The Goldrush Special includes coach transportation straight to Sovereign Hill from the Ballarat train station. After a day or evening touring Sovereign Hill, the coach picks passengers up and takes them back to the station at Ballarat.
Visitors showing a valid V/Line ticket get a 10% admission discount to Sovereign Hill and a free coach ride.
Sovereign Hill is open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The Gold Museum is open every day from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Admission to Sovereign Hill, which includes entry to the Gold Museum, is:
Adults – $42.50
Concession – $34.00
Children, ages 5 to 15 – $19.50
Family, two adults and four children – $107.50
Single family, one adult and three children – $77.50
View the Sovereign Hill Website
