Family activities

With countless community events, fun activities and natural attractions on offer, there's plenty to keep the kids occupied and inspired in the Goldfields. Discover the unique history of the Victorian gold rush, meet knights in shining armour, get back to nature, or join in at local festivals and markets.

Looking for a great family experience but don't want to blow the budget? See the biggest local attractions, from Sovereign Hill to the Golden Dragon Museum, with a Ballarat multi-pass or a Bendigo Experience multi-attraction pass.

Join in the fun

Bring the kids and take part in one of the many festivals and events held throughout the year. Get revved up and enjoy everything from music festivals, markets and sports carnivals to food festivals, Easter parades and Christmas celebrations.

Sunshine and lollipops

Explore this beautiful region's great outdoors. The Goldfields offer a range of picturesque cycling and walking trails taking in stunning forests, open bushland and historic towns. Head out for a hike, stop for a picnic, see local wildlife, and learn about gold rush history in beautifully preserved towns along the way. For the chance to pat kangaroos and get close to other native wildlife, visit the Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Days of old

Learn about the gold rush while panning for real gold at Ballarat's Sovereign Hill. Ride the historic goldfields steam railway from Castlemaine to Maldon or walk in the footsteps of past miners on an underground tour of the Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo.

Fairytale frolics

Meet kings, queens and princesses at Kryal Castle and enjoy live performances and horseback heroics. Brave the southern hemisphere's tallest vertical slide at the Discovery Science & Technology Centre in Bendigo and then take in the starry sky at the planetarium. Keep the fun going at the Lake Weeroona adventure playground or at local bowling clubs and cinemas. The little ones will love tumbling around in Bendigo's The Zone Fun Park and Ballarat's Funbugs Playhouse.