Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections

Sovereign Hill’s Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections (Gold Rush Collections Centre for short) isn’t your usual museum experience.

This is a place for history nerds and culture seekers alike.

Hidden within a maze of vaults and storerooms lies a treasure trove of over 150,000 meticulously preserved artefacts. From gold nuggets and jewellery to fashion and photography, this remarkable collection offers a glimpse into the rich history of Ballarat and beyond—all housed in the former Gold Museum building.

This is the history lesson you never got at school. The collection sheds light on lesser-known, yet equally significant, perspectives that challenge and reframe the traditional Australian narratives of our past.

With behind-the-scenes tours, thought-provoking talks, education programs, and ground-breaking research, the Gold Rush Collections Centre is a space to connect curious minds to an incredible collection that has defined Ballarat and the nation.