gold rush school excursion victoria
forget boring history tours - Experience history like never before on a fun-filled goldfields school tour
Hidden Lanes offers engaging, curriculum-aligned school excursions across Ballarat and the Central Goldfields.
Our guided programs bring the 1850s to life through real sites, interactive activities, and hands-on learning. Students connect directly with the stories, landscapes, and people who shaped early Victoria, making history meaningful, memorable, and fun.
Aligned to the Victorian Curriculum (Levels 3–10), our excursions explore From Colony to Nation, Community and First Contacts, and Civics & Citizenship. All programs are led by experienced, Working-With-Children-checked guides and can be tailored for day, half-day or 1.5 hr visits.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This tour is wonderful! Our guide Jarrod was so friendly, informative and really made the stories come alive."
Explore Hidden Lanes School Tours
Ballarat City Tales Tour
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Description: Mysterious tales from the Ballarat Goldfields, discovering the wild, wild west of Ballarat in the 1800’s.
Group size: 17-30
Meeting point: St. Paul’s Anglican Church (out the front), Bakery Hill
BOOK YOUR TOUR
Cost: $20 pp
Free teachers: 1 per 10
Hidden Clunes Tour
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Description: Mysterious tales from the Goldfields, exploring inside forgotten Gold rush historic buildings closed to the public.
Group size: 17-30
Meeting point: Clunes Neighbourhood House (free library)
BOOK YOUR TOUR
Cost: $20 pp
Free teachers: 1 per 10
Victorian-era TraM Ride & Picnic Games
Duration: 2 hrs
Description: Discover the delight and tradition of Victorian-era picnics, food and games in the beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and have a fun tram ride. Dress-up and photo opportunities included.
Group size: 12-30
Meeting point: Ballarat Tram Museum & Botanical Gardens
BOOK YOUR Experience
Cost: $25 pp
Free teachers: 1 per 10
Lunch box add-on (Victorian style): $17 pp
including for teachers.
transForm your students’
worldvidew
Hear amazing stories and visit incredible sites from history that will leave your students in awe
Our professional tour guide is also an experienced teacher
We emphasize WONDER & FUN!
Book a Goldfields School tour
Hidden Lanes tours are thoroughly researched to include only the best bits and include plenty of unexpected delights, so your group will have an absolute blast! Book ahead to ensure you get your preferred dates.
GET A QUOTE NOW!
about your hidden lanes tour guide
Jarrod has 20 years of teaching experience and a dynamic, engaging rapport with children of all ages. He has taught primary, high school, and university students across Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea. He holds a Working with Children Check and a First Aid Certificate.
Beyond leading tours, Jarrod is also an artist—you can explore his artwork here.
With thanks to local historians Dr. David Waldron and Doug Bradby.
This tour was developed on the Country of the Wadawurrung who have performed age old cultural ceremonies, celebrations and traditions here for thousands of years. We would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Elders past and present.