Day Trip to Sovereign Hill: Melbourne's Gold Rush Experience ⛏️✨

On a whim, I visited Sovereign Hill on a Public Holiday—sunny skies + perfect vibes for stepping back into 1850s Ballarat! This was where 120,000 miners (including 20,000 Chinese) flocked for gold. The preserved "Chinese Camp" shows the early roots of Ballarat's multicultural history. 🎟️ Tickets & Tips Adults $49 | Students $40 Mining Tour $8 (3 options): Mine Disaster Story Chinese Gold Rush History (Mandarin guide available!) Gold Mining Tools → Book ASAP—tours fill fast! Ours (45min) included a mine cart ride underground. ⛏️ Activities Gold Panning: Found 3 speck-sized flakes (some get fingernail-sized nuggets!). Free Demos: Candle-making, blacksmithing, bowling alley, horse carriage rides. Photo Ops: Dress in Victorian costumes at Red Hill Photography. 🍽️ Food Bakeries & Cafés: Affordable pies/sausage rolls (~$8). ⏳ Time Needed Full day if exploring every shop/show. #SovereignHill #GoldRush #MelbourneDayTrips