Breathtaking and truly unexplainable standing in the middle of the street of old time Ballarat; in the living museum that is Sovereign Hill as the snow fell around us.
Generally in my posts I start from the beginning and finish with the end, but I HAVE to kick this one off in rewind, as I am too excited to share with you our experience of Sovereign Hill’s Christmas In July.
So our night ended at 6:45 where we wiped the last of the snow (bubbles) off our clothes and hair. We left Sovereign Hill with our bellies full, our legs sore and our mind completely blown. But lets get this going in rewind, because I like to switch things up.
At 5:45pm in Sovereign Hill the streets come to a stand still as there are people crowded around everywhere, Saint Nick stands on the balcony at the United States Hotel/ Victoria Theatre announcing to everyone that the Winter Wonderlights will begin and then a countdown from 10 begins.
We had the perfect spot in front of the Victoria Theatre so we got a good view of pretty much all of the main road. But after the countdown struck one the entire street was lit up in a truly incredible animated light display, reflecting off all the buildings in the street and snow fell. It wasn’t real snow and was actually bubbles, which was great all you need is water and you have yourself a shower.
Madison knew no different though and I let them believe it was snow, as I would have totally bought it as a kid as well. Us big kids while dodging the bubbles were in complete awe listening to the traditional carols and watching the buildings come to life in what I can only describe as indescribable.
Previous to the light show our morning and afternoon as filled with activities that Sovereign Hill had to offer as part of their Christmas in July special as well as their every day activities.
So know maybe lets rewind this to the beginning of the day now I have the major attraction and excitement out of the way.
So our morning started with the opening of Sovereign Hill at 10am, which was earlier then I had planned on being there- but Mr M was in charge.
Of course Madison had to do all of the things I remember doing as a little one, so she started off getting her name pressed on a mini Sovereign Hill horseshoe in the Horses Shod located directly out front of the entrance. She was very impressed with her customised horseshoe, which she watched getting pressed.
Then next was my all time favourite thing as a kid, the sweet shop so we watched the sweet making where they made melon hard-boiled sweets. The smell just walking into the workshop brought back a world of childhood memories like those of, which I came along on a high school excursion many years before. We of course had to buy the famous raspberry drops, musk drops and Madison took home the fairy drops.
Throughout the day you found us wandering in and out of all the shop fronts and exhibiting all the olden day pieces Sovereign Hill had out on display.
We also made a pit stop into the candle shop where Madison tried her hand at dip dying her lumpy candle, which Matt and I always giggle about (inside joke I am sure most parents can relate to).
But Matt gave Madison a hand and her candle turned out quite perfect if I’m honest- big ups to Dad for helping.
After Madison made her candle we wandered over to the bowling alley where Madison attempted to have a bowl, she wasn’t too keen on the olden day bowling as it required walking to the end and putting the pins up- first world problems right there.
If you've been to Sovereign Hill as part of a school excursion then you would have definitely sat in the Sovereign Hill School and tried your hand at writing with inkwell style with Quills.
As part of the Christmas in July there is a marquee set up at the back of Sovereign Hill filled with many Christmas activities as well as shows throughout the day. Madison made a Gingerbread man, which was $4 and came with two gingerbread men, candy and icing. We had lunch in here, food is quite pricey but what do you expect from a tourist attraction like Sovereign Hill.
We all loved feeling like it was Christmas again, as it give you a real US feel to Christmas being in the middle of Winter as apposed to the middle of Summer. Madison asked for photos with all the Christmas things every chance she got.
Of course when you visit Sovereign Hill you have to venture down into the mines, Madison's favourite part was underground and even told me it was something she will dream about :p It is quite an experience heading underground and really getting a feel for what life was like underground.
If you have time these school holidays, or even beyond as the Christmas In July runs until the 27th I am pretty sure, I would highly recommend heading to Sovereign Hill to experience it for yourself.
Madison’s final words on the day- “It was the BEST DAY EVER!”
