Overview
Relive the Gold Rush of the 1850s and ’60s and learn about the significance of the Eureka Stockade. Try your hand at panning for gold and discover through reenactments and artifacts the days when gold nuggets could be unearthed with a pen knife!
Itinerary
Ballarat in 3 Days
- History
- Australian History
Day 1
Travel to Ballarat
Ballarat driver-led sights
Discover Ballarat’s history and landmarks on a driver-led sightseeing tour. See Lake Wendouree, host of rowing and canoeing events during the 1956 Olympic Games, and the historic Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Learn about the 1854 Eureka Rebellion at Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, then see the Arch of Victory and Avenue of Honour, where thousands of trees commemorate local First World War service members.
Eureka Centre Ballarat visit and educational program
Explore the lives and stories of the people who helped shape Australia’s colonial society. Develop a deeper understanding of the Eureka Stockade by discovering the experiences and perspectives of those who took part in this pivotal moment in Australian history.
Day 2
Sovereign Hill visit
Step back in time at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat’s iconic open-air museum that brings the excitement of the 1850s gold rush to life. Experience daily life for early miners, venture into underground mines, try your luck panning for real gold and watch skilled artisans demonstrate 19th-century trades.
Sovereign Hill Red Hill Mine visit & gold panning
Take a self-guided tour of Red Hill Mine and discover the story of the Welcome Nugget, weighing more than 69 kilograms. Then head to the diggings to try your luck panning for real gold in the creek.
Sovereign Hill sweet making demonstration
Step back into the goldfields of the late 1850s and discover how traditional boiled lollies are made using historic methods and equipment. Watch as confectioners demonstrate the techniques used to create these classic treats.
Sovereign Hill gold pour demonstration
Discover the science behind gold smelting as you learn how gold is melted and purified to create a gold ingot valued at $150,000.
Sovereign Hill education learning program
Choose from a range of engaging programs for primary and secondary students, designed to spark curiosity and deepen learning. These specialised experiences align with the Victorian and Australian curricula, providing meaningful connections to classroom learning.
Sovereign Hill Underground Mine tour
Sovereign Hill AURA Sound and Light Show
Experience AURA, Sovereign Hill’s spectacular 90-minute sound-and-light show. This immersive experience uses projections and atmospheric storytelling to bring Australia’s gold rush history to life. Discover the creation of gold, explore its cultural significance through the Wadawurrung creation story and witness the events of the Eureka Rebellion unfold.
Day 3
Ballarat Wildlife Park visit
Get up close to some of Australia’s most famous native animals. See more than 100 free-roaming kangaroos, with the opportunity to hand-feed them, and encounter koalas, wombats, snakes, lizards and even a giant tortoise.
Depart for home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing in October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more meaningful learning moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Select transport options that suit your group's needs
- Choose from a variety of accommodation styles to support your level of comfort
Dine Your Way
- Choose pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2 course meals at local restaurants or at your accommodation, with the option to upgrade to 3 courses
Inclusions
Accommodations
Transportation to and from your destination
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Daily meals with options varying by program
Entrance fees to attractions as per itinerary
Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
WorldStrides Tour Journal (available upon request)
Scenes from Ballarat
Health, Safety & Protection
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
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