Take a Step Back in Time (2)

By James Anthony

Map of Sovereign Hill
Official website

The site is on 25 hectares and there are more than 60 buildings to go through.

You can watch carpenters and blacksmiths in action, check out cosmetics and soaps of the day, buy moustache cups, or try your hand at bowling. The old buildings are very nicely done and as a living display Sovereign Hill is one of the best.

Now it is a good idea to set aside a day to enjoy the experience as you can then saunter around at leisure or take a few breaks in the food shops.

Keep in mind that the ground is dusty in summer - and will be muddy in the wet - so decent walking shoes are recommended. Also take along a full wallet as you'll be surprised at how many little extras need to get forked out for.

Also, be careful of where you eat - unless you don't need to worry about throwing money about. There are snacky-type places where you can pick up nice pies. We, unfortunately, went for a more sit-down arrangement and the $55+ for a hot lunch for two kids and two adults was a little steep. Particularly when one dish - the fish and chips - was inedible due to some very poor cooking. The pork kassler and sauerkraut was excellent, however.

If you are interested in the fashions of the goldrush days you can check out the locals who dress up in period costume and put on a bit of street theatre. Some of it is a bit daggy, but it does add a huge amount of flavour and their costumes are pretty damn good.

The mine tours are a must - unless you are claustrophopic - and you will get to hear stories of working conditions that will make your hair stand on end. The guides are terrific and if they can't answer any of your questions I'll volunteer to be a user of The Widowmaker - an early drill that killed its users either through silica dust inhalation or pneumonia.

And at the end of the day you can see a small troop of 40th regiment troopers firing their black-powder muskets and lowering the Union Flag. God Bless the Queen! A warning here, the muskets are very loud and those with small kids need to help cover their ears.

Get to Sovereign Hill and have a terrific day for all ages.

Opening Times
Sovereign Hill - 10 am to 5 pm every day except Christmas Day. During daylight savings Sovereign Hill will remain open until 5:30pm.
Gold Museum - 9.30 am to 5.20 pm.

Map of Sovereign Hill
Ballarat Accommodation
Official website