One place that truly excels at celebrating this very Australian tradition is Sovereign Hill, a community run open air museum that recreates and depicts the first ten years of Ballarat as a settlement after gold was discovered there in 1851. As soon as you enter the 'town' you have been transported back in time, I honestly felt like I was on the set of Back To The Future, it's very surreal! Made even more so by their Christmas celebrations, Carol Singers and the halls well and truly decked out.
The air was sweet with the smell of mulled wine and toffee apples as The Red Coats came marching up Main Street, ready to proclaim to the town the news of the British Victory in battle. A gun salute to celebrate promptly followed by a flurry of 'snow' as the Carol Singers began.
A meat pie, a packet of boiled sweets, a horse drawn carriage tour of the town and some panning for gold later we made our way back to Main Street for the finale of the day. The Carol Singers once again build the festive cheer and spirits of a now cold and weary crowd, the 20 foot traditional Christmas Tree lit up against an Australian sunset. The street fills again with snow as the buildings are lit up with Christmas projections. Traditional music plays as Children and Adults alike are struck with awe. The 'snowflakes' flurrying through the projections create a sky full of multi coloured glitter-esque particles. The crowd hustle and bustle and point and stare, beaming smiles and happy faces.
Like something out of a Dicken's novel and like nothing else I have ever, or expect will ever experience again Christmas in July is a unique, wonderful and thoroughly entertaining event.
Sovereign Hill is open everyday (except ironically enough Christmas Day) from 9.30am-5.30pm. A must visit for any visitor to Victoria.
