.jpg)
Prices F.A.Qs
What does it cost to visit Sovereign Hill?
Sovereign Hill 2013 Entry
$19.00 per student
Teachers Free of Charge on a ratio of 1:10
Additional adults $27.50 up to and including the first 6 adults after the FOC teachers
All Other Extra Adults $36.00 (Concession Rate)
Blood on The Southern Cross 2013 Entry$19.50 per student
Teachers Free of Charge on a ratio of 1:10
Additional adults $36.50 up to and including the first 6 adults after the FOC teachers
All Other Extra Adults $44.00 (Concession Rate)
Do teachers have to pay?
Teachers are free on a ratio of 1:10
Additional adults rates are detailed above.
What do we get for the entry price?
Our Bookings Officers will arrange an itinerary for you. Please speak to them about the following options.
Entry to Sovereign Hill gives you:
- free entry to Sovereign Hill for the second and third consecutive days of your visit for schools on camps
- entry to the Gold Museum (school groups must book)
- one free education session.
- self-guided tour of the Red Hill Mine.
- gold smelting demonstration producing a $140,000 gold ingot.
- gold panning in the creek
- numerous activations throughout the day (check the visitor map for times).
- demonstrations including wheelwrighting and the battery.
- other craftsmen demonstrating their trades
- Discover it Yourself (DIY) learning activities.
- innovative teaching resources to support your visit from this website.
- the chance to meet interpreters in cottages and gardens.
Do we have to pay on the day?
Day Entry
Most school groups choose to have an invoice sent to the school after your visit. This allows you scope for changing numbers. You can pay on the day if you wish.Blood on The Southern Cross
Bookings for the sound and light show are prepaid 14 days prior to the show date. Amended numbers must be advised at least 24 hours prior to the show date, with full refund. NO CANCELLATIONS ACCEPTED ON THE DAY OF THE SHOW.
What are the opening times?
Sovereign Hill
10.00 am to 5.00 pm EST
10.00 am to 5.30 pm during Daylight SavingsBlood on the Southern Cross
(Times are subject to change)
Jan: 9.15 pm & 10.30 pm
Feb: 9.00 pm & 10.15 pm
Mar: 8.30 pm & 9.45 pm
April - Sept. : 6.45 pm & 8.00 pm
Oct: 7.15 pm & 8.30 pm
Nov: 8.45 pm & 10.00 pm
Dec: 9.15 pm & 10.30 pmThe Gold Museum
9.30 am to 5.20 pm EST
9.30 am to 6.00 pm during Daylight Savings
How long should we spend there?
Some schools spend three days at Sovereign Hill. Entry is free for the second and third day of your camp if you are staying overnight. Alternatively, you can see a lot in one day. Below is a guide to the duration of some of our activities
Activity | Duration |
Gold Museum (school groups must book) | 60 minutes |
Education sessions | 40 – 60 minutes |
Self guided tour of the Voyage to Discovery | Unavailable |
Self-guided tour of the Red Hill Mine | 20 minutes |
Gold smelting demonstration producing a $155,000 gold ingot (depends on current gold price) | 20 minutes |
Gold panning in the creek | 40 - 60 minutes |
60 minutes approx. |
What accommodation is available?
The Comfort Inn - Sovereign Hill provides over 200 beds for students but is very popular and must be booked well in advance. Call (03) 5337 1188 for enquiries and bookings.
What does accommodation cost?
Accommodation
$27 per person, per night, including teachers and supervisors (students supply sleeping bags and towels)
$33 per person, per night, including teachers and supervisors (all linen provided)Meals
Item Primary Students Secondary Students Breakfast $7.10 $7.80 Cut Lunch $8.50
$8.50 Dinner $15.30 $17.50 Supper $2.50 $2.50
What teaching resources are available?
Sovereign Hill Education provides a number of teaching resources designed to get the best educational outcomes from a visit. The resources feature student centred activities promoting purpose, choice and ownership.
The Teachers section of this website contains a number of resources includingVELS Sample Units
Internet Site Challenges
Talking About Learning videos
Bibliographies of Classroom ResourcesThe Students section offers
Research Notes
Drawings
Historic Photos
Podcasts
Useful Internet sites
Audio Library
Interactive map
What do the kids need to bring?
Sturdy footwear, a hat, sunscreen, a jacket, a drink, lunch, a camera and a sense of fun.
What should teachers bring?
A mobile phone – make sure our bookings officer has your name and phone number in case of emergency.
Your Confirmation of Booking form, photocopied for each group.
Your Sovereign Hill map
A list of students
A First Aid kit and a First Aider
A readiness to have fun!
How much pocket money should we allow the children to bring?
This is really up to you to decide based on your knowledge of your students and their backgrounds. Most schools allow some money for souvenirs. Some products may be ordered before arrival using the order forms from the following businesses
Gift Shop
Waterloo Store
Dilges’ Blacksmiths
Ballarat Times
Brown & Co. Confectionery Manufactory
Gold Smelting Works
William Hewett’s Yarrowee Soap & Candle Works
What food is available?
Old-fashioned pies, pastries and cakes may be purchased from the Hope Bakery. We suggest pre-ordering. Phone (03) 5337 1188
Our cafe is well stocked with sandwiches, salad rolls, chips, drinks. etc.
Can we bring our own lunches?
Certainly. We suggest you bring them in a big basket and leave them in the cupboards behind the Carver and Dalton Auction Rooms, close to the Front Entrance (note: These cupboards cannot be locked. Sovereign Hill accepts no responsibility for lost items). Feel free to use the tables and chairs near the cafe and around the Post Office Dam.
Are lockers available?
Cupboards are available near the Front Entrance behind Carver and Dalton Auction Rooms. These are storage cupboards and cannot be locked. Do not leave valuables there. Sovereign Hill accepts no responsibility for items left in these cupboards.
What happens if it rains?
There is plenty to do at Sovereign Hill if it rains. First, make sure you have raincoats and sturdy shoes so you can spend some time in Red Hill Gully panning for gold. There is plenty to see in the shops of Main Street and most of our demonstrations are under cover including the Mine Tour, the Voyage of Discovery Orientation Centre (temporarily closed), the Gold Pour and Wheelwrights, the Candlemaker, Foundry and Blacksmiths. The Gold Museum is always climate controlled. There are under-cover areas near the cafe and in the Horse Bazar with tables for lunch and fire places for warmth.
Are the horses dangerous?
Sovereign Hill has over 50 working draft horses, mostly Percheron – Clydesdale crosses. They are generally very placid and used to people but they are also large and hard to stop. You should make your students aware that, as for any normal road, they must check Sovereign Hill’s streets for traffic before crossing and keep well clear of the horses and coach. They should approach horses carefully, talking to them so they know you are there. Click here to download our Horse Safety Information sheet.
Do you have a Code of Conduct?
Sovereign Hill is open to the public all year round. To ensure everyone has a great time exploring our outdoor museum, we have a code of conduct just like one for a school. It outlines the mutual obligations of Sovereign Hill staff and visiting schools. All visiting schools are asked to abide by the code of conduct. Download a copy by clicking below or ask our Bookings Officers for a hard copy.
Download the Code of Conduct.
Who can I speak to about planning our visit?
Our Bookings Officers will help plan your itinerary according to your needs and the time you have available. Please don’t hesitate to call. Ph (03) 5337 1188
What happens in an emergency?
Sovereign Hill is well prepared for any emergency and is a safe venue on Total Fire Ban and Code Red days. See the Risk Management section for more detailed information.