this school holidays

VISITORS can strike gold at Sovereign Hill with a range of activities on offer this school holidays.

The program kicks off today and runs until April 14 with more than 17,000 visitors expected during the period.

In a lucky dip style activity, visitors will have the chance to strike gold with one $500 nugget to be won each day.

“Gold and the 1850s really changed our region and the nation as a whole,” head of events and program innovation Peter Taylor said.

“It was the biggest migration of people to our region and brought so many new cultures to our state.”

The program will also provide an opportunity to hold the Australian Nugget, which is worth more than $80,000 and weighs 810 grams.

It was discovered in the last 10 years by a professional prospector in central Victoria and is usually located in a secure vault.

“This is normally locked away in the secret vaults of Ballarat but we’re bringing it out so you can touch it,” Mr Taylor said.

“It’s actually called the Australian Nugget because it’s shaped like a map of Australia so it’s really, really unique.”

Other aspects of life during the goldrush will also be on display, with candle-pouring, dark room photography, wheel making and wind-up toy workshops on offer.

Mr Taylor said the program is bound to provide interest, even to people who have visited the attraction before.

“We have an amazing event team that work year-round to create really unique experiences each school holidays.

“Even if you’ve been to Sovereign Hill over summer or in 2023, we want to make this a new experience.”

Tickets start from $19 for a child and $49 for an adult. Bookings can be made at Sovereign Hill’s website.