A new era begins
Back in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we marked our 50th anniversary with the launch of an ambitious 20-year Master Plan.
The vision? To strengthen Sovereign Hill as a sustainable and leading cultural and tourism destination, with accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity at the core of this bold journey.
Crafting the Master Plan was a monumental effort, bringing together market research, environmental insights, community feedback, staff surveys, and global expertise from a team of consultants.
Four years later, Stage 1a of the Master Plan is now complete, marking one of the biggest changes at Sovereign Hill in decades.
The completion of Stage 1a of our Master Plan marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Sovereign Hill, offering fresh opportunities for visitors to engage with our experiences in meaningful ways
Sara Quon, CEO The Sovereign Hill Museums Association
This phase delivers nine new and upgraded experiences, valued at over $16 million in state and federal government funding. Here’s a quick look at the main new features you can expect:
Contemporary cultural experiences
Australian Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades is Australia’s only multidisciplinary venue dedicated exclusively to preserving, promoting, and teaching rare trades and traditional crafts. Since its inception, the Centre has hosted 185 workshops by nearly 70 artisans from across Australia delivering 1,600 hours of workshops.
The brand-new 7,500-capacity Events Precinct is a contemporary versatile space designed to accommodate a year-round calendar of festivals, events, and corporate functions.
Stories that connect
Wadawurrung Cultural Precinct is an outdoor space featuring artworks from celebrated Wadawurrung artists Aunty Marlene Gilson OAM, Tammy Gilson, Dr Deanne Gilson, Kait James, and Lynette Fagan.
For the first time in Sovereign Hill’s history, Chinese Protectorate Camp has been completely re-built with 11 brand-new buildings, larger gathering spaces to enable events and education programs, enhanced displays, expanded gold panning space, and the addition of a Chinese circus tent. The newly recreated tent pays homage to the vibrant cultural life during the gold rush era while doubling as a bookable venue for functions.
Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections offers unprecedented access to some of the museum’s 150,000 objects with behind-the-scenes tours, public talks, and workshops, providing a one-of-a-kind heritage tourism experience.
Improved displays recreating Government Camp give a glimpse into Ballarat's humble beginnings during the gold rush era.
Accessibility
The new accessible gold panning zone invites visitors to experience one of our most iconic activities with ease, featuring an elevated gold panning water channel and an accessible pathway. Other upgrades include improved wheelchair-friendly pathways and sensory-friendly resources.
Elevated bites
Our heritage restaurant New York Bakery receives the ultimate glow-up with stylish interiors and an updated menu. Swing by the Prospectors Table café for open views of Sovereign Hill, bright, natural light, and a refreshed menu.
What's next?
Looking ahead, we’re already planning our next big projects to redefine visitor engagement with immersive and innovative experiences.
Finalising architectural designs for the new Gold Pavilion visitor entrance and Gold Vault exhibition is the next step. The reimagined entry will enhance visitor flow and showcase rare and precious artefacts from the museum’s significant heritage collection, alongside treasures from other cultural institutions, all brought to life through an immersive digital experience.
As a world-class destination and a leader in Victorian tourism it is critical that Sovereign Hill continues to evolve. The Master Plan reflects our bold vision for the future—one that combines new offerings with Sovereign Hill’s much-loved activities to deliver exceptional visitor experiences that will inspire and captivate for generations to come.
Sara Quon, CEO The Sovereign Hill Museums Association
