Sovereign Hill

Sovereign Hill is a popular attraction, depicting Ballarat's first ten years after the discovery of gold, in 1851. It is located located at Ballarat, Victoria within Australia. First officially opened on 29 November 1970 on a 25 hectare site, Sovereign Hill is an interactive museum which has been proven to be popular with children.

Background

Set in the Australian 1850s, the complex exists of over 60 buildings that are know to have existed during that time, and have been historically recreated with great accuracy.

The Diggings is one of the centre points of the complex, featuring a winding creek in which visitors are able to pan for real gold. Various buildings around the area are "inhabited" by costumed volunteer, who are able to answer questions and will pose for photos. The Diggings also includes two mines which have open for guided tour at regular intervals.

There are many other areas of Sovereign Hill, including many shops, displays and recreations. One of these is an 1850s school, where students, through their school, may spend the day dressed, taught and eat in the same way as those in the 1850s.

Sovereign Hill

Take a stroll back into the 1850’s and experience one of Australia’s ultimate gold rush experience, situated in Ballarat, approximately 120kms form Melbourne. Sovereign Hill is set on a former goldmining site with lots to see and do.

The main street is jam packed with shops, two hotels and a theatre. The candlestick maker’s shop at the top end of the street is a great place for the children. See candles being made and coloured and for a few dollars you can make your own colourful candle.

Children would also love the gold panning in the steady steam on the old diggings, the horse and carriage rides (small charge) that lasts for around 7 minutes and the old fashion way of ten pin bowling which is free.

In the back streets of Sovereign Hill there are lots of miner cottages, which you are able to walk through and have a look, just what people had to live in back then.

Over the past years Sovereign Hill has been working at a hectic pace to build more attractions such as their new under ground mine tour. This astonishing mine tells the story of two Chinese brothers and their experiences on the goldfields by using a sound and light show. This being only one of the mines you can go through.

The most spectacular addition to Sovereign Hill is the $50,000 gold pouring session where you can see pure liquid gold melted and poured into a three kilogram bullion bar.

As you walk the streets of Sovereign Hill you will notice that all the workers and volunteers are dressed in the old fashion costumes that really make you feel as if you are part of the 1850’s.

Sovereign Hill has two schools were children can dress up and attend as a child of the 1850’s. The children would be taught how to write in calligraphy, girls would learn to sow and boys learn to work in a small factory.

The biggest hit with the children would be watching the demonstration of the lollies being made and buying them.

Another spectacular highlight that should not to be missed is Sovereign Hill’s sound and light show ‘Blood on the Southern Cross’ which runs nightly most of the year.

Wake up in history because Sovereign Hill also offers four-star accommodation within the grounds. If you plan to stay in one of the three styles of rooms you will receive a discounted price on entry to the park.

With so much to see and do, for all ages Sovereign Hill truly is where Australia’s history comes to life.

Blood on the Southern Cross

Blood on the Southern Cross is a sound and light show depicting the Eureka Stockade story of 1854. Run at night for a length of 90 minutes, with over 3000 lights, and being fully automated, it is one of the biggest attractions in the area.

External links

• Sovereign Hill (http://www.sovereignhill.com.au)
• Detailed Map of Sovereign Hill (http://www.sovereignhill.com.au/tour/index.shtml)