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Sovereign Hill acknowledges the Wadawurrung people as the Traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and to all of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live and work on Wadawurrung Country. We acknowledge their unceded sovereignty over Wadawurrung Country, and the ongoing hardship and trauma as a result of colonisation. The history and continuous culture of the Wadawurrung people is an important part of our shared story.

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Gold Panning

By supporting Sovereign Hill, you help preserve a place where history is lived, not just told. Every contribution helps us care for our heritage site and continue the important work we do in conservation, education and storytelling.

Tuesday to Sunday: 10am – 5pmMonday: Open for pre-booked school groups only (no general admission)Melbourne Cup Day: Open Monday and Tuesday 3-4 November 10am – 5pmGold Rush Centre &amp; Rare Trades Centre: Open for pre-booked workshops &amp; tours only

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WWL 2026 HERO

Winter Wonderlights transforms Sovereign Hill into a sparkling Christmas in July celebration. Enjoy falling snow on Main Street, dazzling light shows and festive winter activities that fill the entire township with magic. It’s one of our most popular events and runs from late June to mid-July.

Winter Wonderlights 2026

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Adult: $77.50 | Concession $62.00 | Child (5 - 15 years): $40.00

Locals Pass

Sov Hill 01732

12 months entry plus great discounts, all for less than the price of three visits.

Annual Pass

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Step off the beaten track on a VIP experience for those who dare to do things differently.

School holidays, weekends and public holidays only.

VIP Rebellion Pass

Pioneer Pass Family image

Free entry for Ballarat locals aged 70+ all year round

Pioneer Pass

Booking ahead gives you the best range of dates and ticket types and helps guarantee your entry on busy days. Select your ticket to go straight into booking and choose the visit date that suits you. Remember to explore our Add On activities, which give you access to special experiences available only in limited sessions.

Discover what’s happening at Sovereign Hill today and what’s coming up next. From live gold-rush demonstrations and underground mine tours to seasonal programs, night-time experiences and special events, there is always something new to explore. Check the daily schedule, plan your visit and make the most of every moment.

Female panning

Horse and coach ride

Start your journey below by selecting your ticket type. You’ll be directed to our booking system to select a date for your adventure. We recommend everyone pre-book online, including babies, to secure you spot and avoid disappointment.

Summer Gold Panning Friends

Your everyday tickets outside our special events.

General Admission

SH AURA GP THEATRE

From a place you know comes a story you don’t — AURA explores the creation, discovery and impact of gold, the precious metal then and now.

Evening sessions across the week. See ticket page for dates.

Purchase separate tickets using the link below.

AURA

AURA is an immersive 90-minute theatre experience using amazing projection technology, that follows gold from its creation through to its 
colonial discovery, right up until the current day. 

 Visitors will be taken through three different theatres to explore the science of gold, the local Wadawurrung link to gold, and the impact of the gold 
rush on our town and the present day. This includes the stories of Bunjil and the Eureka Rebellion, among others. 
 
 Transporters are used to move betweent the theatres, partly outdoors as well as indoors. Short distances of walking are required. 
 
 Arrive at least 15 minutes before your show time to check in and be seated in the first theatre. 
 
 Please note that Aura is a completely separate experience to the Winter Wonderlights school holiday special program.

Gold Rush Collection 90

Get up close with treasures from the fashion and textiles collection rarely seen by the public.

Fashion Collection Tour

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Experience a feast of local flavours and creativity, celebrating the best of our region’s food producers, makers, and artisans.

Heritage Harvest Weekend 2026

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Start your journey below by selecting your ticket type. You’ll be directed to our booking system to select a date for your adventure. We recommend…

Tickets

Tickets & passes

Winter Wonderlights 2026

Locals Pass

Annual Pass

VIP Rebellion Pass

Pioneer Pass

Discover what’s on and upcoming events at Sovereign Hill

Help support Sovereign Hill