Benjamin Marshall and Tim O’Keefe in the great outdoors at a wintry Sovereign Hill. Picture: JEREMY BANNISTER
Ballarat residents are skilled at hibernation over the cold winter months, but Sovereign Hill is taking a different approach. It’s embracing the cold.
Celebrating the winter school holidays with a Christmas in July theme, the outdoor museum has added a snow machine and Saint Nicholas walking the streets.
Chief executive Jeremy Johnson said this was the first time Sovereign Hill had themed the winter holidays this way.
“Ballarat is renowned for its cold weather in winter, but if you rug up, it’s great to have a walk around Sovereign Hill,” Mr Johnson said.
“We’ve got some street fires, and the fires going in the cottages so everyone can keep warm,” Mr Johnson said.
“July and September holidays are traditionally more of a family market, where mum or dad will bring down the kids, so we’ve got lots of family friendly activities over the holiday period.
“The snow isn’t too thick and evaporates, but children have been chasing the snow flakes around,” Mr Johnson said.