Conditions of Entry
To ensure the safety and security of all our visitors and staff, please read our Terms and Conditions of Entry.
Mutual Respect
In order to create a safe environment and community, we ask you to use your 21st Century manners when you visit Sovereign Hill. Our costumed staff and volunteers are happy to share with you the stories of the past, but please be respectful. Do not touch our staff and volunteers without consent and please abstain from inappropriate or disrespectful language.
General Conditions of Entry
Tickets issued by Sovereign Hill are subject to the following conditions and the Sovereign Hill Regulations, which shall be made available upon request:
1. Tickets are sold on behalf of Sovereign Hill. A ticket is a receipt and is not transferable.
2. Sovereign Hill reserves the right at its sole discretion to refuse admission or to require a visitor to leave Sovereign Hill’s facilities. Sovereign Hill’s Refund/Cancellation Policy will apply.
3. Proof of age and concession identification may be required. Sovereign Hill reserves the right to deny admission to any person that attempts to enter its premises using a discounted ticket without providing sufficient evidence, at Sovereign Hill’s sole discretion, of their eligibility to enter using that ticket, including but not limited to, a concession ticket, and a companion card ticket.
4. General Admission & AURA ticket purchases are non-refundable.
Sovereign Hill is an outdoor museum and opens in all weather conditions. Tickets are not refundable or transferable on account of inclement weather. In the event that you cannot attend on the booked date and advise us at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled arrival, a change of date may be offered subject to the discretion of Sovereign Hill. No more than one date change will be processed per booking. Date changes must be within 6 months of the initial booking. No-shows (failure to attend on the day without prior contact) will result in forfeiture of the booking. Tickets cannot be exchanged for credit or cash, transferred into another name or sold to another party. Requests for cancellation should be made in writing via bookings@sovereignhill.com.au
If the museum is unable to open due to conditions restricting our ability to operate, then a full refund will be processed.
5. Additional charges apply to activities including, but not limited to, mine tours and coach rides. You acknowledge that the mere purchase of a ticket to enter the museum does not confer a right on you to attend those activities. Extra charges may apply to entry prices during special events including but not limited to the Winter Wonderlights event and the Aura Night Show. Complimentary and discount passes are not valid during any event Sovereign Hill deems to be a special event.
6. Tickets purchased may not, without the prior written consent of Sovereign Hill be resold, packaged or used for advertising, promotion or other commercial purposes (including competitions or trade promotions) or to enhance the demand for other goods and services. If a ticket is sold or used in breach of these conditions, the bearer of the ticket may be denied admission, or other action taken, without guarantee of a refund. Entry may also be denied if tickets are not purchased from an authorised point-of-sale.
7. Opening hours for the Outdoor Museum are generally from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily (closed Christmas Day). Sovereign Hill reserves the right to amend opening hours at any time including during daylight savings. Entry for private functions and Sovereign Hill Evening Experiences will be provided under conditions at the sole discretion of Sovereign Hill.
8. The daily program for activities within Sovereign Hill is provisional and subject to change as necessary without notice due to adverse weather conditions or other operational reasons. Sovereign Hill reserves the right to cancel, withdraw, postpone, relocate or reschedule activities and there is no guarantee of viewing any or all scheduled activities.
9. Red Hill mine tours are self-guided. Entry is at own risk. Gold Mine Tours are fully-guided. NO ONE MAY ENTER THE GOLD MINE without the presence of a Sovereign Hill staff member. Visitors must follow the instructions of any Sovereign Hill staff member while touring the gold mine.
10. For safety reasons, visitors are not permitted to use drones at Sovereign Hill, Sovereign Hill Accommodation, Evening Experiences and Narmbool. Commercial use is subject to prior permission in accordance with Sovereign Hill’s Filming & Photography Policy.
11. Images of Sovereign Hill taken with a camera, mobile phone or other wireless device cannot be used for any purpose other than for regular private and domestic purposes without prior written consent of Sovereign Hill and payment to Sovereign Hill of such fee as is requested by Sovereign Hill. Images cannot be sold, licensed, published or otherwise commercially exploited. Flash photography is not permitted in our mines, during Sovereign Hill Evening Experiences, in the Red Hill Photographic Rooms or during performances in the Victoria Theatre. Wedding photography is only permitted with prior written consent of Sovereign Hill and after payment of an associated fee. Sovereign Hill reserves the right to instruct the methods used to obtain images or prevent any form of photography on its premises at any time.
12. Visitors consent to being photographed, filmed and recorded as visitors to Sovereign Hill and consent to the use of any such film, image or recording at the sole discretion of Sovereign Hill.
13. Making or distributing of broadcasts, commentary or news reports by any means in any format or media including any such commentary made by mobile phone or other device is not permitted without prior consent of Sovereign Hill. Prior written approval from Sovereign Hill is necessary for photography intended for publication.
14. Any personal information (except postcodes or country of departure) communicated to Sovereign Hill by the purchaser when purchasing a ticket is collected for the purposes of assisting with lost tickets. Sovereign Hill may also use such personal information for direct marketing purposes in its promotion of Sovereign Hill and related products. Where such use is made, the purchaser will be given prior opportunity to ‘opt out’ of receiving further direct marketing material.
15. For the comfort and safety of visitors, staff and volunteers, the following items are not permitted to be brought into Sovereign Hill and a Sovereign Hill employee may, in his/her absolute discretion, deny the entry of such items into Sovereign Hill: Alcohol, illicit drugs, animals (except assistance animals including guide dogs and on-duty dogs under the control and supervision of on-duty emergency or security personnel or dogs engaged in a performance approved by the CEO or his/her representative or Chief Warden in accordance with Sovereign Hill’s Assistance Animals Access Policy 2010); any item that could be used as a weapon; vehicles of any kind including bicycles, motor cycles, scooters, (except wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs & disability scooters), skateboards, and roller blades/skates; fireworks; balls, frisbees and helium balloons; large flags; musical instruments (unless by prior consent); amplification equipment; unauthorised advertising material or flyers; ‘laser pointers’; distress signals, whistles or loud hailers; dangerous goods or any other item prohibited by legislation.
16. Visitors who find gold in the creek by using Sovereign Hill’s traditional gold panning equipment may keep the gold they find. However, visitors must not use modern prospecting, panning or mining equipment, and any gold found using such equipment must be returned to Sovereign Hill. To ensure fair access to gold panning activities for all visitors, management reserves the right to ask a visitor to move on.
17. Sovereign Hill is a non-smoking venue; this includes all museums buildings, property, grounds and car parks. Smoking includes the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vapours.
18. Whilst at Sovereign Hill, visitors are responsible for the security of their own property. All bags may be subject to search, and visitors are reminded to not leave bags or packages unattended at any time. Sovereign Hill reserves the right to deny entry to, or otherwise evict, any person that refuses a request to search their bag.
19. Children 15 years and under must be supervised by an accompanying adult. An adult is deemed to be any person aged 16 years or older.
20. Sovereign Hill does not take responsibility for personal injury, loss or damage however caused, including any negligence (but not gross negligence), breach of duty, default or omission on the part of Sovereign Hill’s staff, volunteers, contractors or agents.
21. Appointed Officers of Sovereign Hill reserve the right, with reasonable cause, to refuse entry to any person or to remove any person from Sovereign Hill without any entitlement to a refund subject to all laws.
22. WARNING: Visitors may experience some aspects of Sovereign Hill that are potentially hazardous including activities associated with: gold panning in running and potentially deep water, gunshot and other loud noises, wood turning demonstrations, coach, train and articulated vehicle rides, close proximity of horses and other animals, uneven and potentially slippery gravelled surfaces and board walks, variable light levels, hazards associated with underground mining and equipment, trains and steam operated machinery and pyrotechnics. Many areas of Sovereign Hill are exposed to direct sunlight and heat. Visitors are required to take appropriate care of their hydration and sun protection.
23. Sovereign Hill advises that it offers activities carried out by costumed staff and volunteers who may portray some of the behaviours and prejudices of the 1850s.
24. To avoid confusion with staff and volunteers, visitors must not wear historical clothing unless given permission to do so as part of a Sovereign Hill program.
Gift Vouchers for Sovereign Hill
25. Conditions 25 – 31 apply only to the purchase and use of gift vouchers redeemable for access to Sovereign Hill, the AURA Sound and Light Show, and/or accommodation at Sovereign Hill (for the purposes of conditions 25 – 31 the “Gift Vouchers”). To the extent of any inconsistency between conditions 25 – 31 of these Terms and Conditions and the other terms of these Terms and Conditions, then terms 25 – 31 shall prevail.
26. Redemption
26.1 To redeem your Gift Voucher, pre-book online at www.sovereignhill.com.au or present at the ticket box on arrival. Pre-booking during peak periods is essential and Sovereign Hill reserves its right to deny entry to any person in the event that tickets are sold out regardless of whether that person holds a Gift Voucher.
26.2. The Gift Voucher is not redeemable for cash and cannot be exchanged or refunded whatsoever.
26.3. The Gift Voucher can only be redeemed for the product listed on that Gift Voucher and may not be used for any other purpose.
26.4 Unless otherwise expressly stated, Gift Vouchers may not be valid during major or special events hosted by Sovereign Hill. Vouchers for Sovereign Hill Admission are not valid during Winter Wonderlights. You will require a Winter Wonderlights Admission Gift Voucher or Ticket.
27. Expiry
27.1. The Gift Voucher has an expiration date of three years from the date of purchase. After the expiration date, the Gift Voucher becomes void and cannot be redeemed.
28. Lost or Stolen Vouchers
28.1. Sovereign Hill is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged Gift Vouchers. Gift Vouchers will not be replaced or refunded if the Gift Voucher is lost, stolen, or damaged.
29. Transferability
29.1. Except to the extent required by law, including the Australian Consumer Law, Gift Vouchers are not transferable, non-refundable and may not be sold or resold without the express written consent of Sovereign Hill.
30. Restrictions
30.1. Gift Vouchers cannot be used to purchase other gift vouchers.
30.2. Gift Vouchers cannot be combined with any other promotional offers or discounts, unless otherwise stated by the Company.
30.3 Gift Vouchers may not be reloaded or topped up.
31. Customer Service
31.1. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Voucher or these Terms, please contact our customer service department at bookings@sovereignhill.com.au.
Vouchers for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades and the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections
32. Conditions 32 – 39 apply only to the purchase and use of gift vouchers redeemable for use at the Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades (“RTC”) and/or the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections (the “ACGRC”) and/or on the website https://www.raretradescentre.com.au (for the purposes of conditions 32 – 39 the “Voucher”). To the extent of any inconsistency between conditions 32 – 39 of these Terms and Conditions and the other terms of these Terms and Conditions, then terms 32 – 39 shall prevail.
33. Redemption
33.1. The Voucher can only be redeemed at The Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades (RTC), The Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections (ACGRC) or on our official website https://www.raretradescentre.com.au
33.2. The Voucher is not redeemable for cash and cannot be exchanged or refunded.
33.3. The Voucher can only be used to purchase products or services offered by The RTC and The ACGRC and may not be used for any other purpose.
34. Expiry
34.1. The Voucher has an expiration date of three years from the date of purchase. After the expiration date, the Voucher becomes void and cannot be redeemed.
35. Lost or Stolen Vouchers
35.1. The Company is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged Vouchers. Treat the Voucher like cash, as it will not be replaced if lost, stolen, or damaged.
36. Transferability
36.1. The Voucher is transferable to another individual, but it may not be sold or resold without the express written consent of the Company.
37. Balance
37.1. The Voucher does not have a cash value balance. Any unused amount on the Voucher will not be refunded or redeemed for cash.
38. Restrictions
38.1. The Voucher cannot be used to purchase other gift vouchers.
38.2. The Voucher cannot be combined with any other promotional offers or discounts, unless otherwise stated by the Company.
38.3 Gift vouchers cannot be topped up or otherwise reloaded.
39. Customer Service
39.1. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Voucher or these Terms, please contact our customer service department at hello@raretradescentre.com.au
40. Winter Wonderlights Tickets.
Ticket purchases for Winter Wonderlights event are final. No refund or change of date is available. Please consider your date selection carefully. Sovereign Hill is an outdoor museum and opens in all weather conditions. Tickets are not refundable or transferable on account of inclement weather.
Corporate Admission
41. Conditions 41 – 48 apply only to the purchase and/or use of corporate tickets only. To the extent of any inconsistency between conditions 41 – 48 of these Terms and Conditions and the other terms of these Terms and Conditions, then terms 41 – 48 shall prevail.
42. This corporate ticket is not transferable or redeemable for credit or cash, nor can it be sold to another party.
43. This corporate ticket admits 1 visitor for one visit only.
44. This voucher is not valid for tickets during major events, events considered by Sovereign Hill to be special events or otherwise during periods where Sovereign Hill’s normal admission pricing does not apply. Special events include but are not limited to the Winter Wonderlights event and the AURA event.
45. To redeem this voucher for a Sovereign Hill admission ticket, please present on arrival at the ticket box or pre-book online at https://www.sovereignhill.com.au/. Sovereign Hill reserves its right to deny entry to any person in the event that tickets are sold out regardless of whether that person holds a corporate ticket.
46. Sovereign Hill reserves the right to refuse admission or to request a visitor to leave Sovereign Hill’s facilities in the event
47. If you cannot attend on a booked date and advise us at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled arrival, a change of date may be offered subject to availability. Only one date change will be processed per booking and date changes must be within 6 months of the initial booking. No-shows (failure to attend on the day without prior contact) will result in forfeiture of the booking.
48. Requests for bookings or cancellation should be made in writing via bookings@sovereignhill.com.au
Additional terms and conditions of entry to AURA
49. The visitor will not be entitled to a refund, cancellation or amendment to their booking unless a request to do so is submitted to Sovereign Hill no less than 24 hours prior to the show.
50. Ticket contains booking details. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
51. Sovereign Hill recommends warm, casual clothing and flat walking shoes.
52. Latecomers may only be admitted during a convenient program break and will not be entitled to a refund or partial refund in the event they miss part of the program due to being locked out of the program.
53. Consumption of alcohol and food, other than that purchased as Sovereign Hill, is not permitted during the show and patrons caught consuming food or alcohol during the show may be asked to leave.
54. Strollers/prams are not advisable because of the nature of show.
55. Flash photography is strictly forbidden during the show and patrons caught using flash photography may be asked to leave.
Privacy Policy
56. Sovereign Hill undertakes to comply with the terms of its Privacy Policy in relation to the collection and use of your personal information.
57. Sovereign Hill may disclose your personal information to third parties to complete a transaction on your behalf or provide you with a service you have requested.
58. By providing information to Sovereign Hill in the process of purchasing tickets or otherwise dealing with Sovereign Hill, you hereby consent to Sovereign Hill collecting, retaining, sharing and using that information as Sovereign Hill sees fit including in respect of providing the services to you.
Purchasing Security Policy
59. When purchasing from the Website, your financial details are passed through a secure server using the latest 128-bit SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption technology.
60. No transmission over the internet can be guaranteed as totally secure. Whilst Sovereign Hill strives to protect such information, Sovereign Hill does not warrant and cannot ensure the security of any information which you transmit to Sovereign Hill. Accordingly, any information which you transmit to Sovereign Hill, including your credit card details, is transmitted at your own risk.