Sovereign Hill is a living museum that presents the story of Ballarat during the gold rush era. Purchase your general admission tickets to Sovereign Hill online here to step back in time and wander the streets and laneways that represent an era gone by. Back in 1851 when Gold was first discovered here, a 'gold rush' was triggered and Ballarat suddenly grew from a tranquil pastoral town to a provincial city attracting dreamers searching for a piece of gold. Sovereign Hill's Outdoor Museum covers 15 hectares of a former gold mining site bringing this historic time period to life through a living township. With over 18 scheduled activities taking place throughout the day, you can find yourself panning for real gold, witnessing musket firing, and seeing boiled lollies, wheels, and candles being made right in front of your eyes. Sovereign Hill is a great family friendly activity for all ages and no doubt you'll walk away with a better sense of Australian history and life in the 1800's.