Sovereign Hill General Entry Ticket
Overview
24 hours
Mobile ticket
Step back in time at Sovereign Hill. There’s coach rides, gold panning, a spectacular gold pour, underground mine adventures, theatre shows, sweet making, costume characters and musket firing demonstrations to name a few.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Sovereign Hill is located in Bradshaw Street and can be easily accessed by car, train, or coach services that operate daily from Melbourne. Sovereign Hill is a comfortable 90-minute drive from Melbourne along the Western Highway (or only an hour from Melbourne Airport). Once in Ballarat, just follow the brown and white tourist signs to Sovereign Hill.
Free parking
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Sovereign Hill
Sovereign Hill is a living museum that presents the story of Ballarat during the gold rush era. Purchase your general admission tickets to Sovereign Hill online here to step back in time and wander the streets and laneways that represent an era gone by. Back in 1851 when Gold was first discovered here, a 'gold rush' was triggered and Ballarat suddenly grew from a tranquil pastoral town to a provincial city attracting dreamers searching for a piece of gold. Sovereign Hill's Outdoor Museum covers 15 hectares of a former gold mining site bringing this historic time period to life through a living township. With over 18 scheduled activities taking place throughout the day, you can find yourself panning for real gold, witnessing musket firing, and seeing boiled lollies, wheels, and candles being made right in front of your eyes. Sovereign Hill is a great family friendly activity for all ages and no doubt you'll walk away with a better sense of Australian history and life in the 1800's.
What‘s Included
Admission to Sovereign Hill
Guided mine tours
Coach rides
Food and drinks
Transportation to/from attractions
Meeting points
Sovereign Hill
Bradshaw Street Ballarat Australia
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Options
General Entry Ticket
Reviews
141 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Trip back in time
shannonluciano,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Recommend buying tickets in advance, as there was long queues for those purchasing on the day. Overall great theme park to visit and can be covered in 2 hours, the actors certainly makes the attraction more enjoyable. There are gold related experiences such as the gold pour, gold panning and red hill mine tour which don't require additional costs. My favorite experience was the Gold Pour demonstration. The negatives would be that most buildings are kept to original standards so most places are extremely hot inside as-well, so its probably better to come in spring or winter. Certainly worth a visit even if your not into mining history.
Fantastic
nathanfreeman82,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sovereign Hill is an absolutely outstanding experience and a true Australian treasure. From the moment you step through the gates, you’re transported back in time to the gold rush era, with incredible attention to detail, immersive storytelling, and passionate staff who truly bring history to life. The authenticity of the buildings, costumes, demonstrations, and experiences is exceptional. Whether it’s panning for gold, watching traditional trades in action, exploring underground mines, or simply walking the streets and taking in the atmosphere, there is something engaging for all ages. The staff deserve special mention — friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic, they elevate the entire experience. It’s not just educational, it’s fun. Perfect for families, history lovers, school groups, or anyone wanting a uniquely Australian experience. You can easily spend a full day here and still feel like there’s more to explore. Sovereign Hill is world-class, thoughtfully curated, and incredibly well run. A must-visit destination that leaves you with a deeper appreciation of Australia’s history and the people who shaped it. Highly recommend.
An interesting experience
Big-A-Leics,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00There are several demonstrations, activities and events that help to explain how life was in an old mining town. It’s quite hilly so be prepared for the walk. It’s an interesting and educational place and it’s worth a visit.
Amazing experience
Q2641QBmarioz,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00I remember going to Sovereign Hill multiple times as a kid which is about an hour drive from Melbourne, in 1851, there were large discoveries of gold in Bathurst, New South Wales then soon in Bendigo, Victoria and Ballarat. When news came to the world, people worldwide began, people from Britian, Ireland, China, Germany, France, and other European countries up to 300,000 people came to Australia starting the Australian Gold Rush. I remember there being underground tours explaining some popular stories in the Gold Rush like 2 brothers digging for gold at night and the mines suddenly tumbled, how one died and one escaped, the main street in Sovereign Hills are 19th century houses with people dressed in old western clothing making you feel like you in the 1850's. Overall, if your visiting Ballarat, I highly recommend visiting this place, prices are budget friendly whilst the staff members are really nice, my most cherished memory was going into the underground mines by the diagonal mine cart.
Fun fun fun
BobbiBear6366,,Jun 6, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a blast, we learned a lot, went down in the mine, lots of fun! we watched how the old wagon wheels were made, it was very interesting.
first multiculture historic site in Australia
346idealm,,May 15, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00All family members have lots of fun. Gold made people rich and Melbourne big. It is the first multiculture historic site in Australia
Won't rush back
denaeq2022,,May 1, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We paid nearly$ 100.00 dollars to get in for a couple! It's a very expensive day so take your money! We had four adults and two children and it's a busy day! There's lots to see which is great! Shops to go in lovely staff there and music which is great! You pay for a lot as you go though like your down gold mine! Lollies at shop and wanted posters but some things you don't ! Beautiful pies at pie shop but they ran out so over to kiosk which has great variety! Lovely staff but if your worried with covoid there forget it ! It needed tables cleaned badly there! I complained about toilets they were filthy! Lady told me won't be cleaned till 2.30 pm ! For the men to complain how bad they were they were terrible! Please it's a big place making good money and windows needed good clean up there so I don't understand how you can leave it like this!
Great staff
694hamishh,,Apr 1, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Went with my 3 year old son. The staff were consistently accommodating and lovely. And when they weren’t, they were even nicer. They engaged my son and looked after him. It mare a nice experience a great one. Thoroughly recommend.
Not just for History Buffs or kids - best day.
sharonhD1996GG,,Jan 28, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brilliant day out !! Lots of walking so bring good shoes as it is on dirt. ( it is 1850). All the shopkeepers, presenters and shows were OUTSTANDING!! This is the best way to get the most out of the day - Go to every “show” you can - the pantomime is a must!! We listened to the digging talk and building Ballarat - (not sure of the name) the lad who was from Yorkshire - was hilarious, informative and generous of his time. Everyone was informative. Some shows crossed over by 10 min, so that was hard, but understandable. If you asked questions they enthusiastically responded in Character. We went mid week, it was a nice day- took our own food, but spent money in the shops on experiences and coffee. Terrific for all ages, all day … lots of places to sit and rest… if you needed to. A must for all and would be an amazing school excursion for kids/ teens.
Enjoyable day out
angelC3476SL,,Feb 9, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day out going back in time. Interesting conversation with a "shrouding woman" in the funeral home who explained the role of shrouding women in 1800s Victoria. The mine tour and gold pouring were great. An enjoyable day out.
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