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

Hands working on wet surface with tools. Close-up of traditional craftsmanship process of gold panning in Ballarat

Sovereign Hill strikes gold at Victorian Tourism Awards

28 Nov, 2025Excellence in Accessible Tourism awarded at the 2025 Victorian Tourism Awards.

Two women in authentic 19th-century dresses sit on a porch at Sovereign Hill, gently spinning wool with drop spindles, capturing the quiet craftsmanship and daily life of the gold rush era, brought to life through immersive historical experiences at Sovereign Hill.

Play, pan, repeat: Childhood on the goldfields

20 Oct, 2025From playtime to payday — childhood on the goldfields didn’t last long.

Visitors stroll down the authentic, dust-dusted Main Street at Sovereign Hill, passing historic storefronts including Clarke Brothers Wholesale & Family Grocers, Ballarat Times – C. Spencer, T. Murphy, California Tent Maker, and Rees & Benjamin Watch & Clock Makers. A mother and daughter walk hand-in-hand toward the shops, embodying the immersive, family-friendly experience of Sovereign Hill’s living gold rush town often referred to as Main Street min in promotional contexts for its miniature-scale authenticity and charm.

Main Road: The heart of the gold rush

11 Sept, 2025Where trade thrived, stories unfolded, and communities connected.

19th-century artwork of a goldfields digger resting by a canvas tent with tools and provisions, from Australia’s most visited outdoor museum and heritage attraction.

Surviving the Ballarat gold rush

25 June, 2025Striking gold was one thing - staying alive to spend it was the real challenge.

Local or loyal: Which Sovereign Hill pass is right for you?

Local or loyal: Which Sovereign Hill pass is right for you?

14 May, 2025We breakdown the best Sovereign Hill pass for you: Local or Annual?

Rustic, wooden structure, possibly a tent or hut, in an outdoor setting depicting the Chinese Protectorate Camps

Grit and gold: Life inside Ballarat's Chinese Protectorate Camp

Skills worth saving, stories worth telling

Skills worth saving, stories worth telling

21 Jan, 2025Revive the art of making at Sovereign Hill’s Rare Trades Centre.

Illuminated night festival with twin beams of light, purple-lit trees, and rows of glowing lanterns leading to a central stage

The start of something big

10 Dec, 2024Check out the brand new and upgraded experiences as part of our 20-year Master Plan.

A family of four engaging in gold panning by a muddy pool of water

Spring at Sovereign Hill

2 Sept, 2024A new season brings a fresh lineup of experiences along with your Sovereign Hill favourites.

Father's Day gift guide

Father's Day gift guide

13 Aug, 2024Father's Day is sorted with our ultimate guide catering to all dads.

Food, Fire & Light Festival

Food, Fire & Light Festival

14 May, 2024Sovereign Hill after dark coming in October 2024

Welcome Nugget Replica

The Story of the Welcome Nugget

9 June, 2023Learn more about the amazing discovery of The Welcome Nugget.

Help support Sovereign Hill

By supporting Sovereign Hill, you help preserve a place where history is lived, not just told. Every contribution helps us care for our heritage site and continue the important work we do in conservation, education and storytelling.