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.

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What's on

Be among the first to get behind the scenes and view the collections with our back of house tours. Tailored for fashion and textiles to Chinese culture, as well as the Ballarat International Foto Biennale, there's a world of stories attached to our collection objects just waiting for you.

Collections

Our vast collection brings together 150,000 objects that tell the stories of this region, its many diverse people, practices and ideas. We present stories and objects that connect us to who we are, that preserve culture, identity and practice, that make us laugh, cry and challenge us.

Research

For more than 50 years, research and collections have been at the heart of Sovereign Hill and the living museum. Historical research and inquiry has informed all aspects of the museum from the streetscapes, buildings, the stories, activations and the costumes.

Gold Rush Collections FAQs

Commonly asked questions and answers on topics such as accessing the collection, donating and requesting images.

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Stories

News, views and behind-the-scenes look at Sovereign Hill. Find out more about how we bring the gold rush to life.

Gold Rush Collections Enquiry Form

Have something you would like to donate or want to access our collection? Make an enquiry here.

Items from gold rush collection on display

Donate to our Collection

If you’ve got something that you think could be a part of our shared history and are keen to donate and preserve it for future generations, please click the link below.

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