Rediscover the magic of Sovereign Hill through these new seasonal experiences

Sure, Sovereign Hill is renowned for its boiled lollies (you haven’t lived until you’ve tried the raspberry drops from Brown’s Confectionery), but there is actually a smorgasbord of foodie experiences to enjoy. Top of your to-do list should be high tea at Narmbool – this picturesque lodge is the ideal setting to nibble on a selection of sweet and savoury goodies (like chicken sandwiches, macarons and scones with jam and cream) and sip unlimited cups of tea and coffee. You’ll even receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or fruit punch when first seated. Other ways to sample the local region’s cuisine include joining one of the weed foraging and garden tours, or checking out the confectionery-making demonstrations.

Discover what whisky and rare trades have in common during a special one-off tasting session hosted by experts from both Archie Rose Distilling Co and Starward. Taking place on May 27 in Sovereign Hill’s historic wheelwrights workshop – a unique space where wood, fire, metal, heat and steam take centre stage – the event will include conversations around craftsmanship and live demonstrations by a team of coachbuilders, carpenters and blacksmiths. Each whisky sample will be paired with a tasty snack, and you’ll also score a welcome drink upon arrival and to conclude the evening. And to really complete the immersive experience, resident blacksmith Tim Bignell has even prepared a whisky-inspired playlist. Tickets are available here.

Always wanted to learn about horse harnessing and timber bending? You’ve come to the right place. At Sovereign Hill you can watch on (and even get involved) as talented craftspeople showcase skills that have been passed down from the gold rush era. Most of these demonstrations – like spoke shaving, blacksmithing and gold pouring – are included in your pass, and take place daily. For other activities, such as the candle-making and candle-dipping classes, there is an additional fee required. Just be sure to check the workshop schedule beforehand, so you can plan your day accordingly.

In case you hadn’t realised, the school holidays are just around the corner (the official dates are April 9-25), but before you start frantically organising sleepovers and playdates know that Sovereign Hill has got you covered with a stacked program of entertaining activities. Give the kids a taste of life in the 1850s by going back to the classroom and learning how to write with ink, or find out all about how special effects and props were used to great amusement in the theatre during the Victorian era. A few brand-new workshops have also launched just in time for the holidays, including leaf printing, fashion illustration and candle pouring (we recommend booking early for these ones, as they’re sure to be popular). And don't miss Aura – a spectacular light and sound show that follows the journey of gold from the Dreamtime right through to the chaos of the Eureka Rebellion.

No matter what time of year you visit Sovereign Hill – be it summer, winter, mid-week or weekends – some things are a certainty, so there’s no need to worry about missing any of the old-timey action. These classic gold rush adventures include riding in a horse-drawn coach, going nine-pin bowling at the local saloon, venturing deep into the original mine shafts and (our personal favourite) dressing up in Victorian-era costumes for a traditional portrait. You can also get involved in cottage crafts, listen to live music and find out what it takes to become a trade apprentice. And, of course, no trip is complete without panning for gold – who knows, you may just strike it rich.