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BallaratCulture & history

Our most recommended Ballarat Culture & history

Grampians: J Ward Lunatic Asylum Night Ghost Tour

1. Grampians: J Ward Lunatic Asylum Night Ghost Tour

Be incarcerated for the evening at Australia's home to the criminally insane: the famous J Ward Lunatic Asylum. Meet at J Ward, Girdlestone Street, Ararat in the evening and commence the tour with free museum access to explore the memorabilia of the past including straight jackets, electro shock therapy devices, and fascinating patient records. After exploring the museum, enjoy a guided ghost tour of approximately 2 hours through the home of notorious criminals such as Chopper Read, Gary Webb and William Wallace. Explore the governor's bathroom, the hangman's gallows, the original kitchen, the showerblock, the grave sites, the West Wing, the J Ward Block, and the exercise yards and grounds in search of the souls that still linger, and hear the terrifying stories of murdered inmates and prisoners buried in the grounds as you explore the property. Tours run every Friday and Saturday evening at 9:30 PM.

From Melbourne: Sovereign Hill & Ballarat Day Tour

2. From Melbourne: Sovereign Hill & Ballarat Day Tour

Firstly, we’ll head to Ballarat, a perfect example of an old town that prospered during the gold rush. It’s a charming city with 19th-century buildings, manicured gardens, and history. We’ll take a complete town tour, taking you through the impressive streets, past notable churches, and the Eureka Stockade Centre. We’ll also visit Lake Wendouree while in the area before moving on to Sovereign Hill. Sovereign Hill is a well-known heritage park that sits on the site of the richest gold rush in the entire world. Here, you’ll have the chance to explore some of the most pivotal parts of history, including the Red Hill Gully Diggings and Main Street. Explore a labyrinth of passages and original mine shafts hidden deep under Sovereign Hill. Head underground and experience what life was like for a miner. Discover the wins, losses, hardship and heartache. Visit some of Melbourne’s most popular places, including: St. Patrick's Cathedral, Cooks' Cottage and Fitzroy Gardens, Flinders Street Station, and Federation Square.

From Melbourne: Sovereign Hill Gold Mining Town Day Trip

3. From Melbourne: Sovereign Hill Gold Mining Town Day Trip

Immerse yourself in daily life during the 19th-century gold rush on a day trip to Sovereign Hill, a replica gold mining town. Wander through faithful model buildings and watch professional actors reenact scenes from the 1850s. Enjoy optional gold mine cart rides or horse carriage tours. Meet your driver in Central Melbourne and begin the journey to Sovereign Hill with views of the Australian countryside on the way. The town is full of interactive exhibits and demonstrations to discover: gold panning demonstrations, underground gold mines, and gold bar-making demonstrations. Wander through the town's true-to-life buildings for an insight into daily life. From grandmothers teaching grandchildren how to embroider to the local primary school and police station, the buildings are a great way to travel back in time to the excitement of the era. Feel free to ask the traditionally dressed actors for photos. You can also enjoy optional activities at an additional cost. You could go for a horse-drawn carriage tour of the town or take an underground mine cart ride. There are also occasional dramatic reenactments throughout the day.

From Melbourne: Sovereign Hill & Ballarat Gold Mine Tour

4. From Melbourne: Sovereign Hill & Ballarat Gold Mine Tour

Experience the ultimate luxury and convenience with Melbourne Limolink's exclusive Sovereign Hill & Ballarat Gold Mine Tour from Melbourne. This private tour offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore Australia's captivating gold rush history in the utmost comfort and style. Begin your adventure by being chauffeur-driven in a prestigious European car or a spacious Mercedes van, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey from Melbourne to Ballarat. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic views as your expert chauffeur takes care of the driving, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the upcoming experience. Arriving at Sovereign Hill, step into a meticulously recreated 1850s township, where you'll be transported back in time to an era of gold fever and excitement. Explore the bustling streets, interact with costumed characters, and try your hand at gold panning in the creek. The private nature of the tour allows for a personalized and intimate experience, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace and delve deeper into the fascinating history. Afterward, your chauffeur will take you to the Ballarat Gold Mine, where you'll embark on a guided underground tour. Descend into the depths of the mine and witness firsthand the challenging conditions faced by the miners of the time. Gain insight into their remarkable engineering feats and the perseverance required to extract precious gold from deep within the earth. Throughout the tour, your knowledgeable guide will provide captivating stories and historical insights, enriching your understanding of the gold rush era. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a unique and luxurious experience, this private tour ensures a truly memorable and immersive journey into Australia's past. Melbourne Limolink specializes in providing exceptional private tours, combining the convenience of chauffeur-driven luxury vehicles with the expertise of experienced guides. With their attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction, Melbourne Limolink encourages you to book this private tour for an unforgettable exploration of Sovereign Hill and the Ballarat Gold Mine. Indulge in luxury, embrace history, and create lasting memories on this exclusive adventure.

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Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 19 reviews

this experience was absolutely amazing the ladies that guided our tour was fantastic!! would highly recommend u experience this we drove 2 hrs to do this and was praying it was worth it with it being on so late it definitely is!!

It was amazing. All the staff were very friendly and in there Roll. We could see the passion in all the staff. Thank you so much!! Kids lived it too!!

Enjoyed all shows very friendly had a great time both me and wife loved it

My 7yr old Grandaughter had a wonderful time as did I