Ballarat Sovereign Hill Tour from Melbourne

Overview

Discover the history of the Victorian Gold Rush on this amazing day out from Melbourne. You'll travel through the historic regional city of Ballarat, before stepping back in time to the goldfields of the 19th century at the Sovereign Hill open air museum.

Highlights

• Travel through Ballarat and see the elegant 19th century architecture
• Explore the award-winning Sovereign Hill open air museum and Victorian Gold Rush town recreation
• Learn the story of the Eureka Stockade
• Visit the Gold Museum and go underground on a Red Hill Mine Tour
• Enjoy the street theatre and live action performances
• Pan for gold and perhaps strike it rich.

What's Included

• Guided tour with commentary
• Comfortable air-conditioned transport
• CBD hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Friendly and knowledgeable guide
• Entry to Sovereign Hill.

What You Can Expect

The Victorian Gold Rush of the 1850s transformed Melbourne into an incredibly wealthy city and gave rise to many regional centres, including Ballarat — the scene of the famous Eureka Rebellion in 1854. Learn more about this fascinating chapter in Victoria’s history on this fabulous Sovereign Hill Tour from Melbourne. You’ll spend a day exploring the fascinating Sovereign Hill open air museum and heritage town recreation, which is located in Ballarat.

Once CBD hotel pick-ups are completed, you’ll travel out of town in air-conditioned comfort for the 90-minute trip to Ballarat. The route will take you through lush farmland and small country towns that dot the picturesque Victorian landscape. On arrival in the elegant Victorian city, you’ll enjoy a drive through town to admire the fine period architecture.

Next you’ll head to Sovereign Hill to experience life as it was during the gold rush era. Sovereign Hill is a living outdoor museum, with working exhibits brought to life by costumed characters. Explore the goldfields town at your leisure. You’ll see shops, hotels, a theatre, schools, factories and of course — gold diggings. You’ll even have the opportunity to pan for gold yourself at the Red Hill Gully Diggings. If you’re lucky enough to strike it rich, the gold is all yours!

One of the many highlights of the day is the Red Hill Mine Tour, which takes you underground to experience what life was like for those seeking to strike it lucky on the goldfields. The Gold Museum’s gold pour demonstration is also well worth seeing.

Lunch on this Sovereign Hill Tour from Melbourne is at your own cost and there are plenty of options. Try a delicious Cornish pastie at the traditional bakery on the main street or head for the modern bistro. There’s even a period tavern!

Street theatre and live action performances are a big part of this Sovereign Hill Tour from Melbourne. You’ll see the Redcoats march through town in the afternoon and demonstrate their musket fire power. It was their job to keep the rebellious and unruly miners in line!

You’ll depart Ballarat at around 4pm for the return drive to Melbourne, arriving back at your CBD hotel at approximately 5.30.

Important Information

• Once your booking has been completed, an order confirmation will be sent automatically to your email address. You will also receive a booking confirmation with hotel pick-up details and operator contact information for the day. Please print the confirmation or have it available on your smart phone.
• This tour offers pick-up from selected CBD hotels, and most other hotels are within easy walking distance of the pick-up points. Follows the prompts when you book, and check your confirmation for your pick-up location and time. Please be waiting at your pick-up point ten minutes prior to departure.
• This tour operates with a minimum of six participants. Your booking may be on request initially, but we should be able to confirm the tour within a day or two. Where a tour does not proceed, you will be offered an alternative or a full refund.
• This tour has one standard price for adults and children.
• The itinerary provided is a guide only and may change due to operational requirements.
• This tour operates in all weather conditions.
• To purchase a gift voucher, please click here.
• Do you have a group enquiry? Please contact us.
• View our booking terms and conditions here.