Stories

Events Calendar

Home

Learning Programs

Profiles

Search

<p>Sovereign Hill acknowledges the Wadawurrung people as the Traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and to all of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live and work on Wadawurrung Country. We acknowledge their unceded sovereignty over Wadawurrung Country, and the ongoing hardship and trauma as a result of colonisation. The history and continuous culture of the Wadawurrung people is an important part of our shared story.</p>

Australian Flags

Gold Panning

<p><strong>Regular Hours:</strong> Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm | Mondays: Pre-booked school groups only.</p><p><strong>King's Birthday:</strong> We are open Monday 9 June, 10am-5pm for the public holiday.</p><p><strong>Gold Rush Centre &amp; Rare Trades Centre:</strong> Open for pre-booked workshops &amp; tours only.</p>

<p>Stay in the loop with Sovereign Hill—events, offers, and stories delivered straight to your inbox!</p>

SH Summer Friends

<p>Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to receive latest news and special offers.</p>

Email

First Name

Last Name

Postcode

Phone (optional)

About

Master Plan

<p>We're proud to announce the completion of Stage 1a of our 20-year Master Plan, a major milestone in the 54-year history of Sovereign Hill. </p>
<p>The milestone delivers nine new and upgraded experiences, valued at over $16 million in state and federal government funding.</p>
<p>Each development has been designed to enhance accessibility, inclusivity, create contemporary spaces and experiences, and support in-depth storytelling, cementing Sovereign Hill’s reputation as a world-class cultural and tourism destination, and significant driver of regional visitation.</p>
<h3><strong>Project highlights of Stage 1a</strong></h3>
<p></p>
<h5>1. <a href="https://www.raretradescentre.com.au/">Australian Centre for Rare Arts &amp; Forgotten Trades</a> (opened November 2022)</h5>
<p>The Rare Trades Centre is Australia’s only multidisciplinary venue dedicated exclusively to preserving, promoting, and teaching rare trades and traditional crafts. Since its inception, the Centre has hosted 185 workshops by nearly 70 artisans from across Australia delivering 1,600 hours of workshops. </p>
<h5>2. <a href="https://www.sovereignhill.com.au/experiences/australian-centre-for-gold-rush-collections/">Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections</a> (opened May 2023)</h5>
<p>Centre for deep learning offering unprecedented access to some of the museum’s 150,000 heritage objects through behind-the-scenes tours, public talks, and workshops.</p>
<h5>3. New York Bakery upgrades (opened December 2023)</h5>
<p>Sovereign Hill's heritage restaurant receives the ultimate glow-up with updated interiors and menu options</p>
<h5>4. Prospectors Table cafe (opened May 2024)</h5>
<p>Newly furnished interiors with bright, natural lighting and updated menu options offering an enhanced dining experience for visitors.  </p>
<h5>5. Government Camp enhancements (opened June 2024)</h5>
<p>Improved displays recreating the goldfields’ government headquarters of the 1850s. </p>
<h5>6. <a href="https://www.sovereignhill.com.au/wadawurrung-cultural-precinct/">Wadawurrung Cultural Precinct</a> (opened October 2024) </h5>
<p>Outdoor space featuring artworks of celebrated Wadawurrung artists Aunty Marlene Gilson OAM, Tammy Gilson, Dr Deanne Gilson, Kait James, and Lynette Fagan. </p>
<h5>7. Events Precinct (opened October 2024) </h5>
<p>A 7,500-capacity versatile space designed to accommodate a year-round calendar of festivals, events, and corporate functions delivered by Sovereign Hill or external event organisers.</p>
<h5>8. Chinese Protectorate Camp (opened December 2024)<strong></strong></h5>
<p>For the first time in Sovereign Hill’s history, the Chinese Protectorate Camp has been completely re-built with 11 brand-new buildings, larger gathering spaces to enable events and education in the zone, enhanced displays, and the addition of a Chinese circus tent.</p>
<h5>9. Accessible panning (opened December 2024)</h5>
<p>Newly designed area offers visitors of all abilities access to one of Sovereign Hill’s iconic experiences with an elevated panning water channel and accessible pathway. </p>
<h5><strong><em>If you have any questions please contact enquiries@sovereignhill.com.au</em></strong><br /></h5>

Rare Trades Centre05 11 22 23

Gold Rush Centre BOH tour

Wadawurrung Cultural Precinct

Chinese Protectorate Camp 1

Australian Gov Support Logo

<p><em>The Sovereign Hill Museum Enhancement Master Plan project has been made possible by funding provided by the Australian Government through the National Tourism Icons Program.</em></p>

Concept Image Chinese Protectorate Camp

generator

Learn more about transforming the Diggings and Chinese Protectorate Camp precinct in Sovereign Hill.

description

referrer

robots

https://www.sovereignhill.com.au/about/master-plan/redevelopment/

https://cdn.sovereignhill.com.au/_1200x630_crop_center-center_82_none_ns/Concept-Image-Chinese-Protectorate-Camp.jpg?mtime=1686469086

twitter:card

twitter:creator

twitter:title

twitter:description

https://cdn.sovereignhill.com.au/_800x418_crop_center-center_82_none_ns/Concept-Image-Chinese-Protectorate-Camp.jpg?mtime=1686469086