An early afternoon departure takes us first through Melbourne's western suburbs and the pleasant farming country on a drive of about one-and -half hours to Ballarat, an elegant provincial goldrush city.

The grand old buildings and beautiful gardens are most impressive, but the major attraction is Sovereign Hill - an authentically recreated goldmining town - and the adjacent gold museum. While in Ballarat visit the Wildlife Park, and see the wombats, kangaroos, the reptile shed and alligators. The highlight of your tour will be a visit to Sovereign Hill, an internationally renowned heritage park situated on the site of the richest alluvial gold rush in the world. You will have time to explore Red Hill Gully diggings, mine, the gold museum and many other attractions of this fully operational township. Sovereign Hill also has an excellent nighttime sound and light show, "Blood on the Southern Cross", which re-creates a brief but crucial battle between the gold-miners and government troops. A pre-show dinner is included in this itinerary.

As sunset times govern the beginning of the sound-and-light show, arrival back in Melbourne varies from around 10 pm to 12 midnight.

Inclusions: Private chauffeur driven vehicle, driver-guide, admission to Sovereign Hill, dinner, "Blood on the Southern Cross" sound-and-light show, entrance to Wildlife Park. One extra night at the Park Hyatt Melbourne including fully cooked breakfast.