Summer at Sovereign Hill

Sovereign Hill is a living museum that presents the story of Ballarat as a gold rush boomtown. Bring your walking shoes and get here early, as our site covers 30,000 square metres of open space including a township with a gold panning area, underground mines, costumed characters, coach rides and 1850s shops, trades, schools and dwellings.

Visit Sovereign Hill Stay at Sovereign Hill Sovereign Hill at night

Open Hours

We're open everyday (except Christmas Day) 10am to 5pm until Sunday 28 January.

What's On

There’s a lot to do at Sovereign Hill so make sure you check out all the amazing activities we have on.

See what's on

Summer of Magic!

Magic, mischief and music take centre stage at Sovereign Hill this summer.

Aura

From a place you know comes a story you don’t — AURA explores the creation, discovery and impact of the precious metal then and now.

Winter Wonderlights 2024

By day Sovereign Hill delights but when the sun goes down that’s when it really shines.

Everyday Activities

There are a range of immersive activities happening all the time at Sovereign Hill, most of which are included in your ticket to the Outdoor Museum.

See what's on

Gold Panning

Included in ticket

Confectionery Demonstration

Included in ticket

Redcoat Soldiers

Included in ticket

Bowling

Included in ticket

Australian Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades

The Australian Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades is a place to learn and preserve Australia’s rare trades through a series of workshops and masterclasses.

Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections

It’s time to share with you the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections. In our vaults, we’ve got tucked away 150,000 objects that connect us to the amazing story before and after the discovery that changed the game. This is the stuff that will fire your imagination and leave you in awe and wonder.

Sovereign Hill Hotel

Make the most of your Sovereign Hill visit by staying at our on-site hotel. With the gold rush just metres from your modern hotel room, the Sovereign Hill Hotel is the perfect base to explore the outdoor museum, Ballarat and beyond.

Gift Vouchers

Unwrap the magic of Sovereign Hill with gift vouchers to spark curiosity, wonder, and joy. Includes Sovereign Hill tickets, AURA Sound and Light Show, and annual passes for year-round access to unforgettable events and activities.