Ballarat is Melbourne's largest inland towns situated in the Central Highlands. The town has retained much of the charm and history of the gold boom era, with many wonderful original buildings built in the late 1800's still standing

Ballarat's main tourist attraction Sovereign Hill, allows you to be taken back in time to the mid 1800's when the magical 'Gold Rush' fever was alive and booming.

This living history museum has shops and businesses set up in the style of the 'old' days staffed by people dressed in period costumes providing visitors with a feel for the daily life back in the early years.

Participate and become absorbed by all the historical charm by panning for gold in the stream, touring the old mineshafts, and wandering through the interactive museum depicting the harsh and exciting life back in the 'gold rush days'.

Opposite Sovereign Hill lies the Gold Museum, which houses a rich collection of gold and displays of Ballarats social history. Nearby, see the Eureka Flag, which was donated by the widow of a trooper who fought in the bloody battle of the Eureka Stockade.

Distance

• 110 kms from Melbourne via the Western Freeway.

Activities

• Pan for gold at Soveriegn Hill, a living history museum set up in the style of the 'old' days staffed by people dressed in period costumes providing visitors with a feel for the daily life back in the early years.
• Visit the Gold Museum which houses a rich collection of gold and displays of Ballarats social history.
• See the Eureka Flag at the Eureka Stockade Centre which depicts the history of the region and the bloody battle of the Eureka Stockade taking place on 2 December 1854 where 30 miners and two soldiers were killed.

Related Links

Soveriegn Hill