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Sovereign Hill is to celebrate National Children’s Week by opening its new $1.7 million play space.

The Play Space is an all-new adventure land for children up to eight years old. Unique to Sovereign Hill and designed around a goldrush theme, the space includes a sailing ship two-storeys high and a jetty and row boat. There is a full-size coach with carved horses, a poppet head with a large slide, a rock-climbing wall and a mining tunnel with an ore truck. A six sensory herb garden stands to one side and a gazebo overlooks a lake on the other.

Vibrant and flexible in design, the play space will cater for individual interests and abilities, allowing children to test and extend themselves through play. It will support a diversity of play styles, encouraging children and their families to explore, question and learn through experiences that are 'hands-on', tactile and exciting.

The new area is located directly adjacent to the Sovereign Hill Café, which offers Wi-Fi and family friendly amenities, making the play space a delight for parents who can enjoy a coffee while the kids play.

Sovereign Hill Chief Executive, Professor Terry Lloyd said the play space extends Sovereign Hill’s commitment to childhood education through play.

Professor Lloyd explained “at Sovereign Hill, we’ve always prided ourselves on educating children about the history of the gold rush in an entertaining, yet informative way. The play space is an extension of that commitment and will allow our junior visitors to immerse themselves in our history in an interactive environment, while parents can relax at the adjacent Café.”

The play space will be launched at 10.30 am on Wednesday 24th October, during National Children’s Week. Children visiting Sovereign Hill for the day will be given free entry when accompanied by a paying adult.

After the launch, families will gain the best value-for-money with the Sovereign Hill Family Membership. The annual pass offers families unlimited entry into Sovereign Hill, discounts on gold mine tours, night shows and a variety of Sovereign Hill affiliated businesses. Single family and concession pass options are also available.

Sam Benton, journalist, Australasian Leisure Management.

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