Around And About Sovereign Hill & Ballarat Wildlife Park

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A small-group day from Melbourne to Ballarat: the morning with kangaroos, koalas and crocodiles at Ballarat Wildlife Park, the afternoon at Sovereign Hill, a recreated 1850s gold-rush town where you pan the creek for real gold and keep what you find. Entry to both is included.

Days

About 10 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group, max 11

Start / finish

Melbourne / Ballarat / Melbourne
Melbourne city centre, about 5:30pm

Return

Melbourne city centre, about 5:30pm

Transport

12-seat minibus with city hotel pick-up

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Around And About Sovereign Hill & Ballarat Wildlife Park

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Included experiences

Ballarat Wildlife Park — hand-feed kangaroos and see koalas, devils and crocodiles
Sovereign Hill — an afternoon in a recreated 1850s gold-rush town
Gold panning — try your luck in the creek and keep what you find
Gold Museum — entry included

Around And About Sovereign Hill & Ballarat Wildlife Park

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: MELBOURNE TO BALLARAT

Pick-ups start at about 6:25am and the 12-seat minibus leaves Melbourne at 7:30am, heading west for about 90 minutes to Ballarat. Gold was found here in 1851, and within a few years tens of thousands of diggers had poured in from around the world. In 1854 the town saw the Eureka Stockade, when miners took up arms against the hated gold licence, a battle still seen as a turning point for democracy in Victoria.

MORNING: BALLARAT WILDLIFE PARK

The morning is at Ballarat Wildlife Park, where more than 100 kangaroos roam free and you can feed them by hand. Wander on to see koalas, wombats, emus and Tasmanian devils, snakes and lizards, and Crunch, one of the largest saltwater crocodiles in the country. Daily animal presentations are part of your entry, so it's worth checking the times when you arrive.

AFTERNOON: SOVEREIGN HILL

Sovereign Hill is only a few minutes away, and you have the afternoon there. Opened in 1970, it recreates Ballarat in the 1850s gold rush across a whole township, with costumed characters on the streets, working blacksmiths and horse-drawn coaches. Try your hand at gold panning in the creek, where the gold is real and anything you find is yours to keep. Want to go below ground? An underground mine tour is on offer at extra cost. Entry to the Gold Museum is included too.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO MELBOURNE

In the late afternoon the bus drives straight back to Melbourne, reaching the city centre at about 5:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels and a few places in St Kilda, for example Flinders Street Station (Elizabeth Street) at 7:05am. If your hotel is not on the list you are given the nearest pick-up point.
Departure time: Pick-ups from about 6:25am to 7:20am depending on where you stay; the tour leaves the city at 7:30am. Be outside five minutes early.
Finishes: Melbourne city centre at about 5:30pm. There are no drop-offs in St Kilda, Southbank or the suburbs.
Suits: All ages. Every passenger, children included, needs their own seat; baby seats are available on request.
Please note: Sovereign Hill is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Paths at the wildlife park suit wheelchairs, though some areas are sloped or uneven.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
A rain jacket and warm layers
Your own water bottle
Camera with a spare battery and memory card
Phone charger and cable

What is included

Pick-up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels
Small-group travel in a 12-seat minibus
Entry to Ballarat Wildlife Park
Entry to Sovereign Hill, including gold panning
Entry to the Gold Museum
Chilled water on board (bring your own bottle)

Not included

Meals and snacks
Underground mine tour at Sovereign Hill (optional extra)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.