About the Tour

1 Day Sovereign Hill and Ballarat Tour

Imagine watching history in real life? With this 1-day tour to Sovereign Hill & Ballarat, you can live and breathe a day in the life of the Gold Rush era. Welcome to 1850s Australia! This 1-Day Sovereign Hill and Ballarat Tour rewinds time some 150 years. Wander through the streets of an incredible historic town, and watch as history plays out in front of you. Experience the hustle and bustle of daily life in Sovereign Hill, the famous Gold Rush town of Victoria.

Tour Details

Operates: Daily (except Sunday & Monday)

Departs: 9:00am

Returns: 5:30pm

Available Fares

Adults: $165

Children: $139 (4 – 15 years)

Infant: $99 (0-3 years)

Important Information

Child prices are available for children aged 4 – 15 years. Infants under the age of 3 years require a booster seat, please advise of age at time of booking

Highlights

Immerse yourself in history
Experience a day in the life of the 1850s Gold Rush
Pan for gold and find shiny treasure
Explore what life was like in a real underground gold mine
Learn about the history of the Gold Rush from actors in full costume

Itinerary

1 Day Sovereign Hill and Ballarat Tour Itinerary

The day kicks off in Melbourne, where you’ll climb aboard a comfortable bus. You’ll head straight to Sovereign Hill, where we’re transported back to the 1850s.

Step into this fully immersive historical experience that feels a whole world away from modern life! With regal Victorian architecture that looks like a movie set and actors clothed in authentic Victorian period costume, Sovereign Hill truly mimics life from a bygone Gold Rush era. The actors are not only in full costume, but full character.

Your guided tour starts by meeting the characters of Sovereign Hill! Take in the regal surroundings and learn about the fascinating background of Sovereign Hill with a history talk.

Watch the Redcoat Parade, where actors dressed as 1800s soldiers perform a traditional military march around the streets. The Redcoats fire their muskets into the air, creating an impressive military display.

Then you’ll get the chance to try gold panning! Swirl your gold pan, and search for gold like the fortune seekers did. What shiny treasures will you find?

For lunch, feel free to purchase some tasty food from the on-site café (or bring your own packed lunch). Tuck into a traditional Aussie sausage roll from an award-winning bakery, or perhaps sip on a cup of Devonshire tea.

In the afternoon, you’ll get the chance to descend to the mines, which are a network of underground passageways. Get a glimpse into the realities of mining life.

Related article: Mining for Gold at Sovereign Hill

What's Included?

Admission to Sovereign Hill
Red Hill Mine tour
Comfortable coach transport
Melbourne pick-up & drop-off
Friendly and informative local guide

Pickup Locations

Location	Address	Time
Mercure Melbourne Southbank	9 Riverside Quay, Southbank	8:25 AM
Regent Theatre	191 Collins St	8:35 AM
Her Majesty’s Theatre	219 Exhibition St	8:45 AM
Mail Exchange Hotel	688 Bourke St	9:00 AM