Sovereign Hill is a living museum telling the story of Ballarat as a goldrush boomtown. Gold was discovered here in 1851, triggering the greatest alluvial gold rush the world has ever known.

A former gold mining site, Sovereign Hill's Outdoor Museum brings the gold rush to life with diggings, underground mines, costumed characters, coach rides and living, working 1850s shops, trades, schools and dwellings.

Visitors can extend their experience with AURA, an evening sound-and-light show illustrating the history and importance of gold in our region. Please note that tickets to AURA are not included in any of the Ballarat Pass packages, they can be booked direct through Sovereign Hill.

Experience a slice of Victorian history at our Mill. The last of it’s kind, Creswick has been designing and manufacturing Natural Fibre textiles since 1947 as a family run and owned business.

Learn about the production of natural fibres with our award-winning interactive exhibition ‘A Very Fine Yarn’. The exhibit will take you through the history of the Mill, and the journey of natural fibres – from source, through the manufacturing process and onto the shop floor. 

Ballarat Pass holders get a free scarf (1 ticket) or picnic rug (min 2 tickets). Please see Creswick staff upon arrival to collect your gift.

We offer a nice comfortable walk around our facilities, with the chance to get up close and personal to some of Australia’s most famous native animals.
With over 100 Kangaroos roaming free, around the Park, we give you the opportunity to experience hand feeding these amazing animals.

We also give you the chance to interact with Koalas, Wombats, and a variety of reptiles ranging from Snakes to Lizards and even a giant Tortoise.

You can enjoy lunch in our fully licensed cafe or bring along a picnic to have on our outdoor table and chairs, surrounded by the Kangaroos.

And while at the Park, why not ask our friendly staff about our ‘Animal Experiences’, which is a photo of you and an animal, professionally taken as your souvenir to take home.

Kryal Castle allows you the opportunity to step back in time and experience over 1,000 years of medieval history. Highlights include:
- Ballarat Pass includes free archery for each person. This can be collected at the admissions desk upon arrival.
- All day entry inside the castle grounds to explore the medieval village
- A whole program of shows from jousting, potion-making, theatre and more
- Opportunity to become a Knight, try your hand at Axe-Throwing and learn from our resident Blacksmith
- Park is open 10am-4pm (last entry at 3pm)

Eureka Centre is located at the National Heritage-listed Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, considered to be the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade where the rebellion took place. It is home to one of Australia’s most compelling historic artefacts and textile treasures – the Eureka Flag.

The Eureka Stockade resonates profoundly in Australia's national story. It was a transformative social movement that informed the development of democracy in Australia.

At the Eureka Centre we explore the social history and cultural impact of the Victorian gold rush and honour the stories of the men and women who risked their lives in the fight for miners’ rights. The Eureka Stockade Memorial Park is a place to contemplate the events of Eureka.

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is not just Australia’s oldest regional gallery but one of its most exciting. Located in the heart of Ballarat’s central heritage precinct, the Gallery boasts the most significant collection of Australian art outside the major national and state institutions.
 
The Gallery presents a range of exhibitions from the colonial period through to cutting edge contemporary art drawn from the Gallery’s extensive collection, as well as temporary ticketed exhibitions featuring works of art from museums around the world. It is a focus for Ballarat’s lively arts scene, situated in the heart of Ballarat’s central area, surrounded by great cafes and restaurants, book and antique shops and commercial galleries.

The Gallery is staying up late!

This January, we are keeping the Gallery up way past its bedtime. Our doors are open until 10 pm every night until Saturday 29 January.

So if you’re heading out for dinner or drinks in Ballarat’s CBD or enjoying Spark Theatre's Pop Up Park activities in Alfred Deakin Place, make sure you make time to call in to the Gallery and check out our latest displays.

On selected nights, we have engaged local musicians to perform live to provide a soundtrack for your enjoyment of our collection.

Schedule:
Friday 21 January, 6 pm to 9 pm
Mick Trembath, acoustic guitar
Ballarat born guitarist Mick Trembath plays a range of finger style genres.

Saturday 22 January, 6 pm to 9 pm
Mick Trembath, acoustic guitar

Thursday 27 January, 6 pm to 9 pm
ZÖJ duo (Gelareh Pour and Brian O'Dwyer)
Iranian-Australian musician Gelareh Pour and experimental drummer Brian O’Dwyer fuse Persian and Western motifs into their intoxicating music.

Friday 28 January, 6 pm to 9 pm
Candi Wade
Candi Wade is a solo acoustic guitar player and singer who has been playing and performing from a very young age.

Saturday 29 January, 6 pm to 9 pm
Cassells Acoustic
A solo acoustic project founded by Jordan Cassells, blending the unique sounds of Alternative/Folk Acoustic into encapsulated stories of personal life events.