Gold Rush Continues

Leaving Sovereign Hill yesterday, we were aware that we'd not exhausted the to-do list and so decided to take advantage of the second day for free ticket. A lazy morning saw us ride into town for coffee. Our rental house was on the Nerrina map (World Cup 1994), on the outskirts of Ballarat making for an excellent bike ride into town. There was a bike trail which meandered along the creek with only the last few hundred metres negotiating roads and cars.

The afternoon was spent back at Sovereign Hill. Not wanting to fork out more money we chose the 'self guided free' Red Mine Tour. Descending 52 stairs down we were plunged into darkness. Both Katy and Ella kept us close by! The tour was an audio recording tripped by motion sensors with various lighting effects. It was difficult to hear and understand with such a large group. All the girls got the last part - the discovery of the 'Welcome Nugget', a 68kg gold nugget found in 1958. It is the second largest nugget in the world and was sold for £10, 050, sent to London and melted into sovereigns. Today the gold content would be worth more than $4 million!

Out of the mine and the girls headed straight to the creek for more gold panning action! More flecks and specks were added to their jars. Soon it was time to take a seat in the Victoria Theatre to watch a pantomime - Snow White. Girls reactions were mixed and it seemed to go on a little too long.

There was a flurry of random 'old world' activities. We saw the last part of cow milking....joined in a little of the animal talk feeding some very cute goats....finishing with butter churning. All the girls had a go at turning the handle. It took awhile for the cream to separate into butter and buttermilk despite the many different volunteers taking turns! Finally it was time for our exit but not before visiting the sweet shop on the way out!