Brough to you by Sovereign Hill
Grab the kids and head to the Ballarat this July as Sovereign Hill explodes in a whirl of bright lights, snowflakes, carols and a most amazing look back to life in the 1850s Goldrush Era, Christmas style!
You may recall we visited Sovereign Hill back in January and stepped back into life as a miner chasing his hopes and dreams in search of the elusive gold nugget that would spell the end to his everyday struggle.
If you missed it, be sure to take a look as we’re certain you’ll appreciate just how impressive the entire experience was for both kids and adults alike. From the minute you walk through the gate you leave life as you know it and get swept back to the 1850s , complete with horse drawn carriages, blacksmith works, spectacular costumes, panning for real gold, underground gold mine tours and much, much more.
CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY HERE!
This time round, Sovereign Hill took on a very Christmasy theme complete with stunning decorations around the whole town, winter themed costumes and snowflakes falling at regular intervals throughout the day.
This time though, they’re offering more dazzling light projections and more Victorian-era, traditional Christmas magic – and with more buildings lit up with yuletide animations than in previous years, this event is the largest light projection spectacle ever staged in the one site anywhere in Australia! A must see and a real delight for kids young and old!
All part of the Ballarat Winterlude promotion running now until July 24.
First up we headed up the main street and into the Victoria Theatre where we caught the tail end of Snow White on the stage, a pantomime (and very amusing one at that!) The kids were enthralled and gave us a good laugh!
We then headed outside for the snowfall which saw (fake) snow falling from the skies and really created a fun and exciting buzz throughout the town! The kids were reaching for the snow and combined with the Christmas decorations, really created a real winter wonderland feeling. The snow falls 4 x times daily, 11.45am, 1.40pm, 3.45 and 6pm.
Sovereign Hill really know how to do things right. From the costumes, to the buildings, and everything inbetween.
It’s easy to get swept away in the magic of the bygone era and it was really lovely to see additional new things to fit the Christmas theme including this cart that sold mulled wine, cinnamon fritters (donut holes!), St Nick’s Ice Treats and more!
Then we headed up to the big marquee at the top of the town and watched RUE by Three High Acrobats, a devilishly fun and spectacular acrobatics show.
We also stopped for a few token photos at the Christmas sleigh display. Everywhere you turn there’s people in costume drawing you back into the era. Just awesome!
We also took a breather and the boys decorated their own gingerbread men, complete with red, green and white lolly buttons made onsite in their candy store. Note I think Alex got more icing on his vest than the gingerbread man!! This was the perfect time to sit back and relax with a nice warm hot chocolate. Bliss!
Oh, and get this, the one on the right is me and the white lollies are ‘my boobies’. Nice one Alex!
While we were up the top of the town (yes it’s on multiple levels) we stopped at the wheelwrighting workshop to watch a demonstration on how they used to (and still do) make wooden coach wheels. In the day they used to churn out over 100 wheels daily, and still have working machinery (huge belts and pulleys) however the demand just isn’t there so production is much lower. What a skill!
To be honest, I couldn’t wait for the sun to go down. What I really wanted to see was the magic that was the light and sound show that takes over Sovereign Hill at nightfall. Think Vivid Sydney in the Goldrush Era and you’re almost there!
Before then, a group of carolers had lined up outside the bank and were happily belting out some of our favourite Christmas carols. It really lifted the Christmas atmosphere and built the anticipation for the lights to come on.
Before we knew it, voila! They were on and I have to say it was pretty mesermising and magical all in one! The snow was falling, there were plenty of oooohs and aahhhs and it wasn’t hard to get swept up in the magic of Christmas of a bygone era.
Not only were there images projected on the buildings, but they were dancing, and singing and really coming to life! It was incredible, with every building featuring a different image, and taking on a whole new personality of its own.
To get a feel for how it was standing in the middle of the street, I took a panoramic image and have uploaded it to facebook. Use your finger on your mobile or your arrow buttons on your desktop to scroll around the image – just amazing!
Entire families dressed up in costume to be a part of the Sovereign Hill community – just amazing!
I’ll let the pictures do the talking!!
Winter Wonderlights runs from now until 24th July.
Prices
Sovereign Hill is a not-for-profit, community-based cultural tourism organisation. Prices are listed below. We highly recommend the VIP pass which gives you access to a few extra great value features which we undertook on our last visit. Read all about it here!
Entry Prices:
Adults – $54
Concession – $43.20
Child (5-15) $24.50
Family – 2A & up to 4C) $136.00
Single Parent (1A and up to 3C) $98
Children under 5 free
Gold Mine Tours: $7.50 Adult, $4.00 Child (5-15), $20.00 Family (2A & 4C)
Coach Rides: $5.50 Adult, $4.00 Child (5-15), $17.00 Family (2A & 4C)
NOTE: Sovereign Hill offers so much fun and adventure that a 2-day visit can be a practical option. Now you can enjoy a second day at Sovereign Hill for the price of a single day’s entry. Simply validate your pass before you leave and get back in the next day for free!
Sovereign Hill VIP Gold Pass (what we did!)
Includes • Admission to Sovereign Hill and the Gold Museum • Unlimited coach rides • Labyrinth of Gold Mine Tour** • 1 x free return pass for day entry only (valid for 12 months from the date of original visit; not transferable) • Touch of Gold Experience • Express Costumed Photograph • Devonshire Tea.
1 Adult ticket = over $160 of value
Adult – $99
Concession – $87
Child (5-15) $45
Family (2A & up to 4C) $240
Single parent family (1A and up to 3C) $199
Thanks to our friends at Sovereign Hill, four lucky families will get to have a spectacular day at Sovereign Hill. Total value $534 and valid for 12 months!
Simply complete the entry form below in full, comment on the blog and tell us what you love about the Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill and you’re in the running to win!
209 Comments
Place your comments here and be in the running to win 1 of 4 Family Passes to Sovereign Hill – good luck!
I love the sense of history mixed with fun and modern touches to bring it all alive
This looks amazing. The kids would have a blast. A winter with snow, history and fun.
I have never been to Sovereign Hill or the snow so would love to take my 5 year old girl to experience the magic of Christmas in a bygone era. The light show at night and snow sounds like a Devine experience that would not be the same anywhere else other than Sovereign Hill. I could not afford such an awesome experience and hope to win. Good luck to all who enter
Haven’t been but looking at the photo’s and reading the article it looks so beautiful, something out of a story book.
This would be an amazing experience looking at all that we can do I don’t know who would be more excited myself or the girls!!
I went as a very young girl and the experience was magical then so to see the experience my kids could have by going while this is on would be amazing and something none of us would forget.
The story is great but the pictures really sell it! Looks totally magical, really want to take my family along
I haven’t been to sovereign hill for quite sometime but this experience looks like a fantastic family time
Aaaah, the snow is such a pretty touch. I bet it really helped set the scene and mood! Definitely my favourite part!
Ive never been to the winter wonderlights but would love to one to see the beautiful christmas lights shine in the falling snow and historical buildings. We love going to sovereign hill panning for gold.
The only thing I don’t like about Christmas is that it only comes once a year! To celebrate Christmas in July in the spectacular setting of Sovereign Hill with the snow falling, the carollers and the amazing lights would be breathtaking! It just looks truly magical and the closest I’ll ever get to a white Christmas!
I have never been to Sovereign Hill but after reading and looking at the beautiful photo’s in this article I must go it looks fantastic with so much to do.
ive never been to sovereign hill and neither has my family. With my aunty and uncle coming to aus for the 1st time what a more beautiful time to all enjoy the beauty Australia has altogether as a big family
It looks like such an amazing family experience. To be able to share the winter Wonderlights extravaganza with my 2 boys (5,2) would make a cherished family memory
I’ve taken my two kids the Winter Wonderlights the last two years, and we all had an absolute ball! Nothing was missed as far as the Christmas celebrations went, but the kids mostly enjoyed watching the “snow” falling.
Would love for our boys to experience how life once was and “snow” too!
I haven’t been to the Winter Wonderlights before but if we are going to freeze this winter we may as well do it in style and enjoy what we are doing. Would really love to take the family.
Looks Amazing
Winter Wonderlights looks like Christmas in July. My family love holidaying together and this would make it a holiday to remember.
I love the fact your pictures DO tell us everything we could see and do. This would definitely put a smile on many faces
I would love to take my 2 children,they would love to see the snow, plus I’ve been told they have the best raspberry drops and they make candy in front of you
I just love the old Victorian era. Such beautiful costumes, decorations, and an educational experience while having fun! I would love to take my children here for a day or two, and have them experience the beauty and fun.
I have never been but it looks like a magical way to learn about history. It looks so lively and colourful and so much fun in winter.
We always enjoyed taking our son and now would love to share this with our grandchildren
never been before , but it looks simple amazing and very festive . What a great experience this would be for all the family .
OH WOW!!! This looks absolutely amazing!! I love the old fashion and how it is all set up like the old Victorian era. I love the snowfall and can already see the amazing photos of my children playing in the snow! The light show also looks fabulous!
Our little family went there last July, but missed the night lights. We absolutely loved the whole day, and didn’t want to leave for our drive back to Melbourne. Hoping to get there again before the end of the festivities.
I love the fact that it gives people a glimpse of a bygone era, but then to add snow to the mix?! Our kids have never seen snow before so this would be amazing for them!
Colour and movement – real life is better than tv 😉
Loved the projections on the buildings! and SNOW!!!
Your story was very informative and really highlighted what we can expect to do and see at Sovereign Hill. The Winter Wonderlights event looks like so much fun – good old fashioned outdoor fun that’s hard to find in the middle of Winter in Victoria! My family would be super excited to attend 🙂
I love the sound of just about everything about the Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill – what a wonderful experience akin to the wonders of Disneyland in our very own country. I must admit I want to go not only for the kids to experience it but for me too, because ultimately we’re all still kids at heart!
I have bween to “Sovereign Hill” before on a number of occasions with my children when young, BUT have NEVER been to Christmas in July it looks wonderful so much fun for young and old alike. Wish I could go.
We went to Sovereign Hill as kids & it was magical then – seeing it at night, exploding with lights & snowflakes would be the ultimate White Christmas experience I’ve always dreamed of. Can’t wait to take my own kids there!
I have never been but I am sucker for history and light shows – i think both are magical!
It would be a wonderful experience for my twin daughters to always remember!! Firstly, to experience life at SOVEREIGN HILL and to actually be part of the way things were and on top of that also to be able to experience SNOW and Christmas in July!!! Very special and a truly magic experience that I’m sure they would treasure forever!!!!!
Oh it all looks amazing love the lights. Would love to see snow falling on me. It would be a wonderful experience for my young family. Womt want to leave!
what an amazingly magical & wonderful lifetime experience to share with my little family! Have only heard fantastic reviews from friends about Sovereign Hill. Definitely on our wish list of places to go
I haven’t been since I was in school and my kids would love this experience of Winter in July lights. Spectacular show, snow adn much more to see adn do.
It all looks so magical! It would be like being a kid again
Love the snowfall and light show for a magical winter!
I love the festival feel, the lights and the snow of course. I would love to take the family there and make a magical memory❄️
Everyhing! Especially the snow and family time!
I love the history! I haven’t taken the kids yet but think they would love it!
What a step back in time it would be! Particularly with the calidoscope of colour shimmering and lighting up the historical buildings. The snowflakes or falling snow as an added feature. Seeing families dressed in clothing of gold rush era. Would love this magical experience. My child has never seen any of the things on show at sovereign hill. Would make our year to win a family pass. A small get away is what we all need!
It just looks so magical, like what you see in the old movies, would be great to experience it in person!
What a wonderful chance for not only a White Christmas, but a bright one too. My kids have been hanging to see snow! Plus – hello mulled wine and cinnamon donuts!! Happy wife, happy life. There might even be a Jamie Fraser type there (just to tick the Outlander box). I know, wrong continent and 100 years too late but a girl can dream…
Sovereign Hill is a magical place already but light up with artifical snow would be gorgeous. Our first family vacation wad here and it would be fantastic to return
My kids have been begging to go to Sovereign Hill! The Winter Wonderlights looks amazing. I would really like to be able to take them
I haven’t been in roughly 30 years, but an experience that I would love to have with my sons, form the snowfall, to the light show and even a treat to the lolly shop.
I would love to take my kids to christmas in July, it looks like it would be a lot of fun. Thanks for the chance at a great prize☺
The magical experience of snow falling
WOW LOOKS SO AMAZING WOULD BE LOVELY TO TAKE THE FAMILY THANKYOU FOR A CHANCE
Photo looks amazing. I am my wife and little one will love it.
Your story about Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill was inspiring Belinda! It makes me want to pack my bags and take my family there tomorrow! My children would be spellbound!
I’d love how the spectacular lights evoke the excitement of Christmas. I imagine it would be truly breathtaking as 1851 Sovereign Hill literally came alive with the magic of Christmas via 2016 technology!
The lights, the sounds, the excitement of the bygone era revisited and revitalised. I would love to share with my niece such a spectacular sight as she has never seen snow.
Sovereign Hill’s Winter Wonderland creates a lot of excitement and allows kids to feel like they have been to the snow.
I loved sovereign hill as a child & would love to take my children too. I think the winter wonderland sounds amazing, i’ve always loved the magic of christmas & to experience a white christmas like this would be amazing!
Love to take my 4 kids to sovereign hill, having fun whilst giving them some great fun learning and the snow looks like It would be the best day out!!
Me and my husband went on our honey moon and it was fun panning for gold. Would love the kids to experience it too
Would love to see the amazing light display, snow, and the kids faces light up just being there
The snow looks awesome.. My kids haven’t been to the snow yet.. And the projected display of lights music and dancing would light up the kids faces.. Looks great..
This looks so magical would love to take my family the kids would love it.
The historical atmosphere and the chance to understanding the lifestyle of the goldfields with a touch of snow.
Would love to see the lights at night, I’ve heard they are beautiful.
It looks so magical and Christmassy! (originally from North America so I miss having a white Christmas!).
I loved looking at the colourful lights against the nights sky xx
it looks amazing! I would love to experience the snow
Love to take the city kids to see a Christmas winter spectacular..
Sovereign hill would be a magical place to take my 3 children.
I havent taken my 2 youngest kids. My older kids loved it years ago. I love the idea of the fake snow. Would be an amazing experience for my younger kids to share with their older sibblings.
Looks amazing! My kids would love this! The snow and the light spectacular – amazing, looks like there would be something exciting around every corner!
We’ve never been to the Winter Wonderlights Extravaganza, but we love Sovereign Hill & would love to take the kids to see a winter christmas
The Magic of Sovereign Hill and particularly visiting during the Winter Wonderlights Extravaganza is being immersed in another time in history and not only learning about it but living it for a day! What a great fun way for our children to learn!
I went as a child id love to go back and experience it as an adult and share the experience with my family
I cannot wait to share the amazing experience that Soverign Hill has to offer. Xmas in July with SNOW!! Our family is big on Christmas traditions and seeing as this is a Christmas in July, how could we miss it!!
I’d love to give my kids the opportunity to experience the fun of a white Christmas – all without having to leave the country!
All the lights and entertainment gives it that special feel 🙂
I love the lights and the ‘snow.’ It’s like a white Christmas in Australia!
I can show my kids the old way to celebrate Christmas and winter! They haven’t been there.This would make a memorable experience for them.I’m so excited to see snow and get the feeling of living in history.
I have 2 special needs kids who have asked me to take them to the snow and to Sovereign Hill, so to win this experience would be perfect
The best part of sovereign hill was the winter wonderlights. They were spectacular and amazing.
Havent been so cant tell you whats best! I went in summer and i loved gold panning and making candles
My 11 yr old daughter went on camp 2 years ago and still talks about it. I would love to take the whole family so we can share the experienc..
Absolutely loved the white winter christmas and wonderlights.
My two daughters would absolutely love to experience this little adventure ! My girls being just 6 and 3 have never been to the snow or to Sovereign hill, I on the other hand did go with school and i think with my dad when i was little and remember loving every minute spent there.
It would be great to win this for them, but every family is deserving. Good luck everyone
My kids have never been to Sovereign Hill neither have I its always been a dream of ours to.go and see a white Christmas. What a amazing way to celebrate and create priceless memories of a lifetime
I would love my son have the experience that i never had. To see the lights and all the sight seeing and activities would be fantastic
I can’t wait to show my kids the beautiful colourful lights, feel the cold air on their cheeks, see snow fall and enjoy the magical atmosphere that I remember of my childhood at Christmas time in England – so different to Australian Xmas!
It looks absolutely amazing with the snow and lights. The kids would be so excited and wowed by this experience.
To help my children learn about Australia’s past in a way that will help them remember
The snow looks amazing…the kids (big and small) would be so excited. And I would love my kids to experience some of what it was like to live in that era.
I would love to take my kids to see this, they could learn about history while having fun, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a day!!
I love how quaint “little” Sovereign Hill transforms into a magical beautiful place during Winter Wonderlights; that everyone in the family is catered for as there are so many activities on; how magical it feels when you see and feel snow fall in July; get “transported” back in time to the gold rush era by the props and volunteers dressed in full blown costumes; the gorgeous light displays and LOVE how thoughtful the organizers of the event are (thoughtfully thought about everything from range of programs offered to free entrance on day 2 that enable families to return on the second day because one day is just never enough to enjoy all there is to offer!)
This is amazing! Would love to show our kids what our history looked like and how much fun they could have learning.
I would love to take my kids to Sovereign Hill to learn about our important Australian history and also to be entertained by the Winter Wonderlights!
Just gorgeous, such a magical day out. I would just love to take my three this weekend for a special end of holidays treat.
Such a magical experience! I would love for my children to experience Sovereign Hill during the day as well as the Winter Wonderlights at night!
Having never been or seen snow for that matter…..It sounds like an absolutely amazing time to spend with my beautiful daughter that now lives in Victoria. What a way to make amazing life long memories…… a girl can dream and then hope she wins so i can get there and see my beautiful girl too….. Its a win win for me…. 😀
Still have great memories of visiting Sovereign Hill when i was young and would love to share this with my daughter too.
So many things to love about Winter Wonderlight,
Carolers, lights and snow would certainly delight.
My fave is the learning away from book pages,
And seeing smiles on those of all ages.
From the photos it looks like absolutely amazing experience for the whole family to enjoy.
The snow would be my favourite
I lived Sovereign Hill when I was 9. I still gave the speck of hold I panned for. My oldest child is nearly 9 & we would love for him & our other 2 children to share in some of the magic. The Winter Winderlights looks so magical. The will be blown away by all the colour & atmosphere you have created there. Cheers
Sorry auto correct stepping all over a good post
*loved Sovereign Hill
*have the speck of gold
I’d love for my kids to see it at night, with all the lights. I loved it as a kid
The lights and the snow are amazing.
Wow, snow! Amazing. I loved Sovereign Hill when I was little, and I can’t believe how much it’s changed (for the better)!
The beautiful lights & the kids activities.
My kids gaces would like up to the historic winter wonderland. I couldn’t think if anything better. What an amazing suprise to share with them if we were lucky enough to win. We have never celebrated Chrismas in July. The way everything cones to light is just exquisite.
I haven’t been to Sovereign Hill since grade 6 camp at primary school!! I loved it and I know my kids would too!!
It all looks amazing. What a fabulous day out with the family.
Louise Gore
We have only been to Sovereign Hill in the summer. I would love to take our family for a great winter experience. I am Canadian and love the magic of snow and how it lights up the faces of children. What great memories to be made!
the whole thing would be awesome
The snow looks wonderful as do all the lights. Just the general atmosphere with caroling and costumes looks like it would be an experience to remember for a lifetime!
The whole review made Soverign Hill sound so magical! I haven’t been since I was a child but I remember the excitement of the gold-panning, historic costumes and streets and the lolly shop! I also remember the Policeman ‘arresting’ my Dad and hand-cuffing him to the park bench! Such great memories and I would love to take my kids to share the magic!
I am from Canada and I really miss the magic of Christmas in the winter in the 8 years we’ve lived here. Being able to share a little of that winter magic with my children who have never experienced it firsthand would also mean so much to me.
The magical experiance
I have never been to Sovereign Hill, and have never seen snow, let alone a white Christmas.
I think it would be a magical experience. My son would absolutely love it.
I haven’t been to Sovereign Hill in many years and would love to get the chance to take the kids to the Winter Wonderland. It looks so magical, they would love it and so would i!! 😀
I’d love to see all the Christmas decorations & activities! Especially love the sound of regular snow falling. The question is, is the snow man made or real? Is sure does get pretty cold there at times! 🙂
Love the snow and the people dressed as Amish
And the activities
I love all the Christmas decorations, the snow is a great touch, I have been but I would love to take my two girls to see the magic 🙂
This looks amazing, I’d love to take my family. I’ve been unwell for over a year, and haven’t been able to do much. My family would be over the moon for sine time in a great place, instead of stuck at hone
This looks so magical. We have never been to sovereign hill. Would love to take our 3 children and share the magic.
Love the look of the lights projected onto the buildings with the snow in the air, magical! Despite living here for a few years, neither my husband nor I have visited Soverign hill since primary school & our 2.5yo would love this!
We haven’t seen the winter lights yet at Sovereign Hill, but the photos make it look MAGICAL and I would love for my children to experience that! The combination of snow, lights, and travelling back in time would be like experiencing a dream in real life! Thanks for the competition and well done to Sovereign Hill for continuing to bring magic to young and old alike.
This would be an amazing day out for our family, We’ve never been to to the wonder lights display and my kids have never been to Sovereign Hill. I loved sovereign hill as a child and would love to share that joy with my kids. And this event would make it truly amazing.
Never been before but they say a picture is worth a thousand words and they all look amazing!
Haven’t been since I was a child. This looks like Christmas in the movies, I would love to take my family
would love to take the kids to Sovereign Hill as we have never been.
We have never been it sounds like an amazing experience.
My family (my partner and our 4 children) and I have only been together to Sovereign Hill once and we all absolutely loved it!! Although I really wish we had more time to explore more. We would LOVE to see the winter wonder lights but unfortunately we simply cannot afford it 🙁 The photos look amazing! Regards
Amanda
Haven’t been since we had kids but would love to take the kids there. Have never been to the Christmas in July but definitely looks like an amazing experience. I loved the atmosphere when I went as a child and all the people in character.
We haven’t been yet, but it looks amazing. A Christmas in July sounds magical. Especially when there is snow. The light show is gorgeous, we would love to take our three kids to experience that.
This looks marvellous, and reminded me of a visit I made years ago to Colonial Williamsburg. I love that visitors can be completely absorbed into the life of another century and experience Australian history in such a relaxing and entertaining way.
My now husband and I went to Sovereign Hill just after we’d met…. now 10 years later I’d love to go back and take our daughter. There are so many wonderful experiences there, but probably one of our favourites was the underground mine tour. Love to see it at night time with the lights as well as the Christmas in July with the snow. Your pictures look so magical.
We are like a family of moths drawn to the light, prepared to be dazzled by the spectacular show as the snow gently lands on our shoulders (ahhh wings). We love it that we can celebrate Christmas mid year with huge bauble dressed trees and carols all in the flavour of yesteryear. Sovereign Hill is one of Victoria’s greatest treasures.
The lights look magical.
Kids loved Sovereign Hill last time we went, I thought they would tire out and we wouldn’t get to do much but they kept going to the end not wanting to miss a thing. Would go earlier next time and do more. Such a wonderful place!
I think it all looks so magical. My boys would love it and have never been before.
the whole experience is so very unique
Those lights look amazing! My daughter has been to Sovereign Hill when she was 2 but she’s at the age now where going again would create a lifetime memory. A wonderful place.
The winter wonderlights exhibition looks amazing! My two boys would dearly love to see the snow & their little eyes would light up at seeing the amazing colours & pictures on the buildings!! Looks like a great family holiday & something completely out of the ordinary!
It makes the place glow more than normal and looks like an inviting wonderland the whole family will enjoy.
The fake snowfall from the skies ,beautiful.
As well as being educational, there are interactive opportunities which ensures all visitors can have fond memories of their visit to Sovereign Hill.
The children love to see people in traditional clothes celebrate their Christmas in old style housess. Something they never in their community.and of course the most interesting thing is seeing the snow falls
We love the feel of warmth and family in the pioneer cottages.
I last went to Sovereign Hill with my own children 36 years ago and they loved it, would love to take my Twin grandchildren who will be turning 8 years old on 16th July but now as a pensioner couldn’t afford it so it would be fantastic to win..
I think it would be an eye opening experience for us adults as much as the kids- going back in time to grab an essence of life in Australia back in the gold rush days- the lights and snow make it feel like your in a movie!
The photo’s look amazing and we would love our children to experience this. The history of the 1850’s Goldrush Era, bright lights, snow flakes and Christmas carols! Now that would definitely bring a smile to anyone’s face, young or old!
The smiles on the kids faces. And the bright colours and magical atmosphere.
Love the idea of our family creating some special memories together, wrapped in the unique magic that only a crisp, snowy Christmas, aglow with fairy lights can bring….where even mum and dad can share in the wonder of childhood again!
The bygone age 🙂 My son is so keen to go
Sounds like a great family getaway. Love the snow idea! Magical!
I’d love to see the glistening snow flakes reflecting from the night lights in the town streets… it looks magical.
To be able to show our children something magical, they would be so in awe to see what Sovereign Hill has and in disbelief that it was how people lived and then to throw in in the amazing Christmas in July. It would be spell bounding.
I’m 40 and I’ve never seen snow! Not even pretend snow! I can’t wait to share this magical experience with my husband and three children. It has been 32 years since my last visit to Sovereign Hill, I wonder whether a place that displays such history can change?? Looking forward to it, thank you for sharing your experience!
I would love to show my kids the beautiful Christmas in July. It would be their first visit and the best memory for the whole family.
It truly looks like a magical time at Sovereign Hill with snow falling and everyone dressed up in their traditional costumes
I would love for my 3 girls to visit Soverign Hill like I did with my family when I was a child. Many happy memories made there with my family and I want to pass that tradition on to my daughters’ generation! ❤️
What a great idea of white snowy Christmas. And a great birthday gift 😉 I just see my little son starring at the snow flakes and asking : “Mum can we make a snowman?” :))
Whoever goes there, they will come again and this is magic … 🙂
I have never been there as we are from South Africa. Would love to experience it with my family and it would make the best 30th present for my birthday in July!
I love everything about Christmas and never having been to Sovereign Hill, this would be the perfect opportunity to get there.
I haven’t been to the Winter Wonder Lights before but it looks like an amazing experience to share with the family. The snow flakes falling would be beautiful and all the decorations, artists and performers look great!
We would love the snow,the lights and the costumes. What a cool experience!
Absolutely gorgeous pictures. I would love to take my children and my mum to see the Winter Wonderland and explore Sovereign Hill. I remember learning about the Goldrush Era in school back in the 80s.
Photos look amazing! My kids would love the snow, the lights and the olden day costumes! The atmosphere looks amazing! We have never been before!
Its been years since I have been to Sovereign Hill. My kids have never been and my daughter loves history so I think this would be the perfect place to learn about some Aussie history.
Everything!! It all looks amazing!! People tend to hibernate during the winter months so it is great to give them a good reason to get outside and make memories with their loved ones!
We plan on taking our 4 year old in a couple of weeks for Christmas in July! We can’t wait!
How snow is magical
I was a child myself when I last went to Sovereign Hill so haven’t actually ever experienced the Christmas in July. It is definitely on my list of places to take my own kids
My boys have been to Sovereign Hill on school camp..but I dearly want to go as a family..especially to experience the July winter/Christmas fun. It would be an amazing place to create special family memories! Xx
I love the projections, they look amazing!
I love the idea of stepping back in time and though we’ve never been it looks like the best place to experience that
My family and I had a brilliant time at Sovereign Hill when we purchased a Gold Pass to be apart of Christmas in July, a couple of years ago. We made a weekend of it and enjoyed Ballarat and Sovereign Hill two days in a row, getting so much out of our time there.
Not only did I love my time back there after many years, I got to revel in my now children’s awe, wonder and excitement; exactly what I had felt as a child.
The pass allowed us another visit within 12 months, which we held onto for 6 months before champing at the bit to go back.
I follow Sovereign Hill on FaceBook where I can follow their current advents; their photographs are beautiful!
Thank you for sharing the love that is Sovereign Hill.
Amanda Gaudion.
For all the magic of lights and costumes, and stage shows, I can juust imagine the look of pure joy on my son’s face at the sight of snow falling! Maybe mine too…
We havent been but looks like such a fun thing to do with your family
Never expected to see snow in SA. I miss snow and cold at christmas so i this is one not to miss
The snow and lights would be amazing to be able to go with my best friend and her 2 gorgeous kids as well as my daughter.
We haven’t been but my kids would love it.
I want to experience a winter wonderland!
What a beautiful family experience! To be surrounded by old world charm and carols, lights snow and magic! I can almost smell the cinnamon fritters now! 🙂
I haven’t been since I went on a school excursion, but it looks great and I know my family would love it. My son is in Grade 1 and is just learning about the ‘olden days’ so it would be a great learning experience for him too
Love that you feel part of different era. the kids would love to experience this and I cant wait to see their joy as they arking to experience the snow and they would love the dress up and the culture.
All rugged up for winter delights,
Watching our children’s eyes so bright,
As they see the snow fall in the main street,
In Sovereign Hill’s Winter Extravaganza treat.
The Wonderlights, Theatre and Bakery,
So much to visit, so much to see,
Traditional carols and a Christmas pantomime,
It’s our favourite family winter holiday time.
They have gone all out to ensure we are entertained throughout this Extravaganza. There is nothing that Sovereign Hill has missed. It is really a lovely Winter Wonderland with a fantastically themed Christmas and one that Australia rarely gets at the end of the year unless we travel to the other side of the world. Thankyou.
I just love the wonder of the lights and would get some awesome photos of the whole place lit up , my family would love the Mine tours .
Wow! Looks like an amazing place for a family holiday!
This looks awesome, I’ve never experienced anything like it before.
We never been to sovereign hills winter wonderlights before. Id love to get teenage son there before he starts parttime work when he turns 15 in a few months. As he counting down till he can get a job. We never seen snow either so something to remember forever.
Three out of four of us have never seen snow, so this would be perfect!
I would love to take my girls to sovereign hill to experience something this magical!
Looks fantastic, what a wonderful family experience and memories to be made.
I wish I had have had the opportunity to go to Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill, even just the photos I’ve seen have given me goosebumps!
I love that it’s transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland playground with spectacular programmes on the night.
Can’t wait for the family to enjoy a good old fashioned Christmas party in July.
Photos of all the lights look spectacular.
l haven’t been to Sovereign Hill since l was a kid. l have watched the Winter Wonderland on the adds and on friends facebook pages and it truly looks magical. The winter wonderland looks like the most beautiful family experience and perfect for all ages . The Winter wonderland would definitely create beautiful memories that would last forever
I have not been for 30 years and would love to take my kids to see the Winter Wonderlights Extravaganza
The way the whole spectacle recreates childlike wonder and delight on all faces – both young and old!
The warmth, joy, sparkle and celebration!
They joy on the kids faces. A friend has just been with her two young kids and they thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the winter wonderland and recommended it. She said there is so much to do for everyone
The photos of Sovereign Hill look absolutely amazing. The colours and the snow, WOW! I would love to visit and I know my kids would too.
The lights combined with the falling snow looks just magical. And with the period outfits and setting as well, it’d be just like being transported into one of my happy-place costume dramas!
Found it