SOVEREIGN HILL

Audio Guide

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Sovereign Hill - A Living Museum
Relive the excitement of the Victorian gold rush era with a visit to Ballarat’s award-winning Sovereign Hill. This living museum offers visitors an immersive glimpse of life in Ballarat in the 1850s, when the discovery of gold brought a rush of hopeful prospectors to the region. Sovereign Hill brings history to life through a wide range of interactive and multi-sensory displays and tours that are sure to provide visitors with a full day of entertainment. Grab a pan and hunt for gold, rediscover forgotten trades and meet some of the characters who found fortune and heartbreak in Victoria’s heady heyday.
Join the Gold Rush
Start your day with a diggings tour to learn more about what life was like in this chaotic period of Victorian history. Then try your own luck gold-panning for hidden treasures, or venture underground for a self-guided tour of the Red Hill Mine. Brace yourself for the thunderous explosion of the trooper’s musket-firing demonstration and listen out for the regimental beat of the red coat soldier’s drums as they march their way up Main Street to perform their drills and fire their rifles.
After lunch It’s time to discover some of the other ways local traders and artisans made their fortunes in the goldfields. Listen to a blacksmithing, printing or confectionary-making demonstration to learn more about these forgotten trades which helped shape Australia’s heritage. Meet the horses who were some of the hardest workers in the goldfields, and for a small additional fee, enjoy the gentle sway and soothing pace of a coach ride through the bustling streets of Sovereign Hill.
Aura Evening Production
If a day full of discoveries leaves you hungry for more, be sure to return in the evening to experience Aura, Sovereign Hill’s very own immersive light and sound production. This multi-sensory experience takes you back in time and brings history to life like never before! Atmospheric storytelling and 3D technology are harnessed to share the story of the world’s most precious metal, from it’s creation through to its discovery, and right up to the present day. Tickets for Aura are sold separately and bookings are essential.
Repeatedly named Australia’s ‘best major tourist attraction’, Sovereign Hill provides a rich insight into our nation’s history and is definitely a must when visiting Ballarat. Come and discover its treasures for yourself!

Accessibility Information

Surfaces and Accessibility:

Sovereign Hill, nestled on a hillside, features gravel paths and roads. While most areas are wheelchair accessible, some parts may present challenges due to uneven ground. The Main Street has a gentle slope, but other sections are steeper. Visitors using wheelchairs might find gravel surfaces a bit difficult to navigate. However, efforts are made to ensure access throughout the site.

Wheelchair Access:

Underground mine tours are accessible for wheelchair users, and arrangements can be made at the mine office upon arrival. Some attractions like coach rides involve ladder-style steps, which might pose a challenge. Wide bluestone gutters exist between timber boardwalks and gravel roads, but ramps are available for wheelchair users to navigate these areas. Wheelchairs are offered free of charge, subject to availability. Strollers are also available for hire for a small fee, subject to availability.

Pets and Assistance Animals:

While assistance animals are permitted at Sovereign Hill, other dogs are not allowed on the premises. Exceptions are made for guide dogs for hearing or low vision visitors, accredited assistance dogs wearing proper identification, and on-duty working dogs under the supervision of emergency or security services personnel.

Accessible Accommodation at Sovereign Hill Hotel:

The Sovereign Hill Hotel offers accessible features such as dedicated parking spaces, a ramp for entry, wide corridors, and three accessible rooms equipped with amenities catering to wheelchair users. These rooms include wide entrance and bathroom doors, hand and safety rails, accessible showers and toilets, and ramped access to a private outdoor deck area. Room 63 even provides a second connecting bedroom for a carer if needed.

Sovereign Hill strives to provide an inclusive experience for all visitors, ensuring access and accommodations wherever possible. For specific inquiries or to plan your visit with accessibility in mind, don't hesitate to contact the provided information.

More Information:

For further details or inquiries about accessibility, you can reach out to Sovereign Hill via phone at (03) 5337 1199, or email at enquiries@sovereignhill.com.au. The National Relay Service can be accessed at 133 677, quoting the phone number 5337 1199.

For social scripts, visitor maps and other information to help you prepare, please visit Sovereign Hills accessibility site.

https://www.sovereignhill.com.au/visit/accessibility/

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