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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.

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Gold Panning

School Holidays: We are open every day during the Victorian Easter school holidays, 3–19 April.Regular Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm | Mondays: Pre-booked school groups only.Gold Rush Centre &amp; Rare Trades Centre: Open for pre-booked workshops &amp; tours only.

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This autumn, leave the everyday at the gate and step straight into the 1850s - a gold rush world bursting to life around you and ready to explore.This isn't just another school holiday outing. It's the kind of day where time slows down, curiosity sparks, and memories are made together.Watch magic unfold on stage. Meet legends of the goldfields. Discover the trades that built a town. Chat with a sly grog seller. Strike a pose with a trooper.Because at Sovereign Hill, history doesn’t sit behind glass - it comes to life around you!Bring your curiosity, bring your camera, and get ready for a day packed with discovery. After all… fun is fun in any century.

All of the activities listed below are included in your ticket.

Pan for real gold, wander iconic streets and buildings, and see traditional trades and demonstrations (like confectionary making) live in action.

Confectionery Demonstration

Magic. Mystery. A little goldfields wonder.Step into the historic Victoria Theatre and prepare to be dazzled as Wizard Jacobs performs feats so incredible they’ll leave the whole crowd gasping.Expect impossible tricks, laughter, and a few moments that might just make you question reality. Trust us, you’ll be talking about this one all day.Where: Victoria Theatre (map no. 36) Time: 11:15am &amp; 2:15pm

Wizard Jacobs

If you lived in the gold rush… what would you become?Not everyone struck gold - but the goldfields were bursting with opportunity! Follow the Apprentice Trail through Sovereign Hill and discover the skilled trades that built Ballarat. Blacksmiths, wheelwrights, tinsmiths and more all played a vital role in creating a thriving town.Explore, ask questions, and decide:Which trade would you choose?

Wheel Making 1437

Create your goldfields identity!Were you a fearless trooper? A determined miner? A clever shopkeeper?Head to the Tinsmiths and bring your imagination along. With a little creativity, you can step into the shoes of someone from the 1850s and create your own goldfields character.

Crafternoon 1560

Meet the people who keep history rolling.Inside Proctor’s Wheelwrights and Coachbuilder, skilled craftspeople are busy building, restoring and maintaining the incredible vehicles that bring Sovereign Hill to life.Go behind the scenes, hear their stories, and discover the fascinating projects happening inside the workshop.It’s craftsmanship you won’t see anywhere else.

Wheelwrights

Goldfields gossip spreads faster than a gold rush- and the locals are always happy to share it.Meet Polly the sly grog seller, cross paths with a trooper on patrol, or hear tall tales from a gold digger convinced their next pan will strike it rich.Stop for a yarn, hear the latest gossip and snap a selfie.Who will you meet?

Lola Montez Character Image

Feel the thunder of the gold rush/ Feel the power that drove the gold rush.Before electricity, before modern machines, there was steam-  powerful, noisy, and revolutionary.Stand beside our mighty steam engines as they roar into life and discover the incredible technology that powered the goldfields and helped build a booming town.It’s loud, it’s impressive, and it’s history in motion.

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The adventure doesn't have to end at sunset. Make the most of your visit to the goldfields with our premium evening and overnight experiences.<ul><li><a href="https://www.sovereignhill.com.au/experiences/sovereign-hill-hotel/">Sovereign Hill Hotel</a>: Stay right in the heart of the action with comfortable, family-friendly accommodation.</li><li><a href="https://www.sovereignhill.com.au/events/aura-sound-and-light-show/">Aura Sound and Light Show</a>: Watch the history of gold come to life under the stars in an immersive, high-tech performance.</li></ul>

The VIP Rebellion Pass gives you exclusive access to Sovereign Hill – a premium, hosted experience that puts you front row, behind the scenes, and closer to the gold than ever before.

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Step into a whole other world where you’re not just a visitor - you’re part of the action.

Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum

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Autumn School Holidays 2026

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