Ballarat, Victoria, is a city with several fascinating museums catering to a range of interests. Sovereign Hill, an open-air museum in Golden Point, recreates the city's early years after the gold discovery in 1851, complete with historically recreated buildings and a gold digging area for visitors to pan for real gold. The Ballarat Wildlife Park, established in 1987, provides an interactive wildlife experience in a natural setting where visitors can engage with various species.
The Gold Museum at Sovereign Hill focuses on the region's gold mining history, showcasing over 150,000 objects from the gold rush era. The Ballarat Tramway Museum operates a functioning tramway system that explores the tram history of the region, with a fleet of trams running on part of the original horse tramway around Lake Wendouree. The Art Gallery of Ballarat stands as the oldest and largest regional art gallery in Australia, housing a diverse collection of Australian art.
These museums collectively offer visitors a rich and immersive experience, enabling them to delve into Ballarat's history, culture, and natural surroundings.