History & gold itinerary

Food and history combine at the Arch View Cafe, overlooking Ballarat's historic Arch of Victory.

Think high quality modern dishes with an emphasis on fresh and healthy ingredients sourced from the local area.

Ballarat's Avenue of Honour (1917-1919) and Arch of Victory (1920) were erected as memorials to the people of the Ballarat region who served in World War I.

Australia's longest commemorative avenue, the Avenue of Honour consists of 3771 trees planted along 22km of the Ballarat-Burrumbeet Rd.

The Arch of Victory marks the beginning of the Avenue of Honour and was built in just three-and-a-half months.

Discover the grand architectural links to Ballarat's dramatic past with this self-guided walking tour.

Access the tour online or pick up a hard copy from the Ballarat Information Centre at the Town Hall.

Rest and replenish for your afternoon ahead at the delicious Yellow Espresso at the bottom of Sturt Street.

Opened in 1890, the Art Gallery of Ballarat is the oldest and largest regional gallery in Australia. 

The focus of the gallery's collection is to present the history of Australian art through paintings and works on paper with selections of sculpture and decorative arts.

Second image: Anne Wallace, Dreaming of a Song (2005), Oil on canvas
On exhibition until 20 September

Craig's Royal Hotel has been a goldfields icon since Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, slept in its ornately-decorated rooms in 1867 and Dame Nellie Melba famously sang from its balcony in 1908.

Discover Ballarat's darkside with an evening of murder, mystery and mayhem.

Conducted through the heart of downtown Ballarat, this tour experience is a must for lovers of true crime and Australian history.

Originally the Adelphi Hotel, the Golden City Hotel was built in 1856.

Today, it offers an exceptional range of meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

Australia’s foremost outdoor museum, Sovereign Hill recreates Ballarat’s first ten years after the discovery of gold in 1851, when thousands of international adventurers rushed to the Australian goldfields in search of fortune.

It’s just like stepping back in time — from the hustle and bustle of Main Street where costumed ladies and gents parade their new-found wealth, to the excitement of the Red Hill Gully Diggings where you can pan for real gold.

The Gold Museum extends Sovereign Hill’s story of Ballarat with an impressive and valuable collection of gold nuggets, alluvial deposits, priceless gold artefacts and gold coins.

Its holdings also include 150,000 items covering everything from mining and military history through to costume and photography.

Indulge in a traditional Spanish tapas-style dinner at Meigas.

Offering a large selection of favourites, why not try the 'Feed Me' option and enjoy the chef's recommendations?

Feel the vibrations as stars explode in front of your eyes, watch as the land is transformed by the gold rush, and dive into the chaos of the Eureka Rebellion as you witness the creation and discovery of the world's most precious metal.

AURA is Sovereign Hill's new immersive theatre experience. Make a night of it with the two-course pre-show dinner.

Return to Craig's Royal Hotel to rest your weary head before another big day of exploring.

Recognised by the National Trust, The Provincial Hotel has housed a myriad of publicans and hoteliers since it was built in 1909.

The hotel's restaurant, Lola, offers a relaxed and elegant dining experience, beautifully styled in The Provincial's signature design.

Experience Sturt Street as an open-air gallery of priceless sculptures and monuments and observe the wealth of stories set in stone along the grand boulevard.

Access this self-guided walking tour online or pick up a hard copy from the Ballarat Information Centre at the Town Hall.

Carboni’s Italian Kitchen pays homage to Raffaello Carboni, an Italian national who arrived on the Ballarat goldfields in 1853 and was later elected to the local court to adjudicate mining disputes.

The tenacious and colourful character displayed by Carboni lives on through the restaurant's extensive menu of modern and traditional Italian cuisine.

Across the road from Carboni's Italian Kitchen is the Eureka Centre.

Situated on the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade, the centre houses the historic Eureka flag, a symbol of Australian democracy.