Day Four - Sovereign Hill

Here we are, enjoying our road trip adventure, though today didn't involve any driving. My brother & his family drove out from Melbourne to meet us at Ballarat & today we checked out Sovereign Hill. For non-Aussies (& those Aussies who snoozed through Australian history lessons at school!) Ballarat was once one of the busiest gold mining centres in Australia & Sovereign Hill is a theme park built around this history.

Here is the central 'mine'. We did a few mini tours that looked at various aspects of the gold rush, including a couple of underground tours. It gets jolly dark down there, we decided! :0)

And historic Ballarat has been recreated. The shops all have lovely historic displays, showcase skills & professions of a past era ... & have some lovely things to buy. :0)

There are also some fabulous old buildings that have been beautifully restored, including this house that had a gorgeous cottage garden. That's my brother in the garden. I'd say he's more vintage rather than historic! :0)

And there just HAD to be some prospecting to do, right?! :0) I think GB & my brother had as much fun as the nephews panning for gold! They also got to dip candles & ride in a horse drawn wagon. We had a fantastic day and walked MILES, so I suspect we'll all sleep well tonight ... The grown ups even more than the kids! Tee! Hee! Hee!

Tomorrow it's back on the road & heading further south to start our trek along the Great Ocean Road, so stay tuned for the next instalment. :0) Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!

CHEERS!

KRIS.