Sovereign Hill: One Of A Kind
** Late posting
Written in January, 2020, before pandemic days...
About 102 kilometers from Melbourne is the City of Ballarat. It is home to Sovereign Hill, where u travel back in time, to the days of the Gold Rush.
The colony of Victoria was, figuratively speaking, on top of the world, having consistently produced more gold than California's yield. The gold came from Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Avoca, Maryborough, etc.
This glorious past is re-created at Sovereign Hill. And the re-creation is superb. As you turn back the hands of time to the 1850s, you hear the sounds of galloping Clydesdale horses as a carriage goes around. You see characters with matching costumes. And you find yourself interacting or mingling with them.
Glasgow Saddlery was doing good business on a street called Armstrong St. in Ballarat during the Gold Rush. This is re-created at Sovereign Hill.
Free of charge to visitors of Sovereign Hill
The colony of Victoria was, figuratively speaking, on top of the world, having consistently produced more gold than California's yield. The gold came from Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Avoca, Maryborough, etc.
This glorious past is re-created at Sovereign Hill. And the re-creation is superb. As you turn back the hands of time to the 1850s, you hear the sounds of galloping Clydesdale horses as a carriage goes around. You see characters with matching costumes. And you find yourself interacting or mingling with them.
Historic buildings and shops are re-created. Antiques and other remembrances of the past are on display and/or for sale. Watching gold pouring and even panning real gold at a nearby creek are worthwhile activities at Sovereign Hill. You can even play bowling as miners did in the 1850s.
This open-air museum is really one of a kind. There is so much fun you want to stay here forever. Forever and a day.
-Konted
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| You hear the clip-clop, clip-clop sounds of Clydesdale horses as the past is relived at Sovereign Hill. |
Glasgow Saddlery was doing good business on a street called Armstrong St. in Ballarat during the Gold Rush. This is re-created at Sovereign Hill. |
| The Saddler at Glasgow Saddlery. He offers spurs, bridles, saddles, whips and brasses. And you can engage him in light conversation. |
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| At Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, Victoria |
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| At Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, Victoria |
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| My two favorite characters willingly pose for a souvenir shot. |
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| Souvenir shot on Main Street |
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| During the Gold Rush, wagons like this provided the basic needs of miners,businessmen and visitors |
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| A reproduction of one of the most popular hotels in the 1850s. |
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| At the United States Hotel in Sovereign Hill |
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| At the United States Hotel in Sovereign Hill |
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| Taking a brief rest at they explore the 25 hectare property at Sovereign Hill |
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| Popular with Sovereign Hill visitors |
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| :Lady tending to a shop cheerfully poses for a souvenir shot. |
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| A re-creation of the famous soap and candle making plant |
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| On Main Street at Sovereign Hill |
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| The Tinsmith displaying fine craftsmanship |
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| For sale |
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| A replica of the Charlie Napier Hotel that was razed by fire during the Gold Rush. |
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| Miners tried to extinguish the fire at Charlie Napier Hotel but to no avail.. |
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| The Victoria Theater at Sovereign Hill is a faithful reproduction of. the original. |
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| Even kids will enjoy visiting Sovereign Hill. |
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| High quality Australian hats |
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| High noon at Sovereign Hill |
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| With a ready smile on her face, this lady obliges to a one shot. |
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| After demonstrating the proper use of a rifle, this Trooper happily poses with visitors. |
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| During the Gold Rush, Troopers were visible throughout Ballarat and other neighboring towns. |
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| This character has a big following at Sovereign Hill. |
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| Wrestling and Bare-Knuckle fights were popular in the Goldfields region. |
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| A lot to be learned at Sovereign Hill |
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| A Red Coat soldier |
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| Red Coat soldiers responded during the Eureka Uprising in the early days of the Gold Rush. |
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| All these characters converge in front of the United States Hotel and Victoria Theater for that fitting finale. |
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| All eyes on these two as they are about to take center stage. |
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| The Colonial Bank Of Australasia was one of several banks that opened in Ballarat during the Gold Rush. |
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| For recreation, miners of different nationalities played at the Empire Bowling Saloon. |
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Only two(2) bowling lanes at Empire Bowling Saloon |
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| Reliving the past |
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| Red Hill Mining Company. On record, the world's 2nd largest gold nugget was found in Ballarat. |
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| Souvenir items at the mine site |
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| The value of gold in those days |
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| Actual panning of gold at a nearby creek. |
