Daysof the gold rush may be over, but the model gold mining town in
Sovereign Hill Ballarat gives you plenty of insight into what life would
have been in the 1850s when gold mining in Ballarat was a booming
industry.If you are heading from Melbourne, the journey to Ballarat is
roughly one hour and 30 minutes.
When we reached Ballarat our first stop was at the visitor
information centre to collect some valuable information of the area. We
then decided to first explore the Gold Museum and thereafter head to
Sovereign Hill. Your ticket to the museum is free when you buy the
ticket to Sovereign Hill. The museum re-enacts you the story of this
historical city. The museum displays a priceless collection of gold
nuggets, alluvial deposits, valuable gold artefacts and a priceless
collection of gold coins. Visitors to the gold museum will end the
exploration with a walk through the award winning gift shop which gives
you the chance to buy your own piece of gold jewellery, gold nuggets or
an item of pretty giftware.
Themust visit Sovereign Hill is a treat for all ages. Be prepared to enjoy
most part of the day here, exploring the reconstructed mining town. The
young ones will spend hours on end enjoying the experience of gold
panning. There is a bakery, a printing press, a court house, a mail
room, a bank, boutiques etc for you to experience the township the way
it appeared in the 1850s. Meander your way well below ground level to
the gold mine and you too could experience the time inside a mine. We
watched a gold nugget been made out of melted gold which was just a
fascinating sight. While walking in Sovereign Hill we noted that the
machinery and equipment used are the same machinery used during the gold
rush in the 1850s. You too could dress up in the 1850s attire and pose
for a photo shoot while you are in Sovereign Hill. By the way take
plenty of photographs while you are in Sovereign Hill to take home. We
too felt as if we were living in the 1850s. How exciting!
The ticket gives you access to visit Sovereign Hill the following day
as well. If you are arriving here with kids, they will definitely want
to visit again and do some gold panning, take a tour of the mine and
watch a gold nugget been made all over again. So why not stay over by
booking one of the motels in Ballarat or a caravan parks in Ballarat if you are looking for cheap accommodation in Ballarat. Online bookings are also possible by clicking here. Remember to select “Victoria” as the state and “Goldfields” as the region for your search.
