How to spend five days in Ballarat

Established in 1884, the Art Gallery of Ballarat is the oldest and largest gallery in regional Australia.

It houses major collections covering the history of Australian art from the early colonial period to the present day.

Fika is popular among the locals, the coffee is great and the meals always hit the spot.

Try the avocado on toast, eggs benedict with 12-hour slow-cooked pork belly, or the hotcakes with maple syrup, bacon and fried eggs.

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.

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 the mystery and stories of the gold rush era with Eerie Tours' Ballarat Ghost Tour.

This tour travels through underground buildings, back alleyways and through the remains of the old Ballarat Gaol, the site of the highest number of executions in regional Victoria.

Fuel up for your big day ahead.

Think delicious coffee and big breakfasts, plus lots of options for the kiddos too.

Enjoy flavours of the Australian landscape with housemade scones, bush jam and aniseed myrtle cream at Buninyong’s Saltbush Kitchen.

Don’t forget to take along a reusable bag to fill with Saltbush Kitchen’s famous bushfood spices, salts and syrups.

Get out and get active with a hike up the picturesque Mount Buninyong. Be sure to take in the stunning views of Ballarat on your way to the top. 

There are three walks on Mt Buninyong, the 1km Crater Walk with a viewing platform (accessible to people with a disability), the 3km Summit walk (a zigzag track) and the steep 3.5km Southern Walk. 

Enjoy a box of fish and chips from Buninyong's Pig and Goose in the beautiful surrounds of one of Victoria’s oldest gardens.

Pick six varieties of blueberries from the volcanic soil of Mount Buninyong at one of Victoria’s earliest blueberry farms.

Pick your own blueberries are usually available from late-January.

Shop for boutique Australian clothing and homewares at Three Times Blest.

Located in a quaint 147-year-old building, you’ll find Three Times Blest on Buninyong’s main thoroughfare.

Share a plate or two with friends and enjoy the diverse flavours of the Victorian Central Highlands at this popular Buninyong restaurant.

With a menu that reflects eating what is fresh, available and at its best, chef and owner Dianne Ray knows how to create a delicious and surprising experience.

Start your morning off right with a scenic 5km run through one of Ballarat's beautiful parks.

Ballarat parkrun takes place every Saturday at 8am in the picturesque Victoria Park.

This revamped 1930s corner stop is the perfect place to fill a hungry belly. All-day breakfast and daily specials ensure options for everyone.

One of Australia’s most significant cool climate gardens, the Ballarat Botanical Gardens feature a remarkable collection of mature trees and marble statues set amongst colourful bedding displays. Located on the western shore of Lake Wendouree, the gardens cover 40 hectares.

Whether you're just wandering, or sitting down for a picnic, there's something magical about being amongst the grand old trees of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

 

The Ballarat Tramway Museum was formed to preserve the tramway experience that existed on the streets of Ballarat from 1887 to 1971.

Trams are operated along an original section of the Wendouree Parade track using authentic methods of operation.

Across the road from the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, you'll find Pipers by the Lake nestled amongst century old trees.

Grab a coffee and something to eat whilst taking in the beauty of the lake's foreshore. Your furry friends will be well looked after with puppuccinos and plenty of doggy biscuits to choose from (in summer time you will often also see dog-friendly ice cream on the menu).

You might even spot a swan or two while you wait!

Dedicated in 2004, this national memorial features the names of more than 36,000 Australian ex-POWs etched into a 130-metre long granite wall.

It acknowledges the pain and suffering that all Prisoners of War endured during their time in captivity, commemorates the thousands of mates left behind, and acknowledges the sacrifice of families during wartime.

Let the kids go wild at the enormous Lake Wendouree Adventure Playground.

A must-see and do for the kids and adults alike.

The historic Golden City Paddle Steamer is the sole survivor of a fleet of pleasure craft that sailed Lake Wendouree from the 1860s.

Enjoy a 45-minute cruise most Sundays between 1pm and 5pm from November until April each year.

A popular eatery by the lake for almost two decades, the Boatshed underwent a refurbishment and relaunch in late 2017.

The restaurant boasts a modern Australian menu, along with stunning views of Lake Wendouree.

Which kid wouldn't love to start the day with rainbow pancakes topped with mini marshmallows, maple syrup and fresh fruit?

Tucked away in a CBD laneway, Hydrant Food Hall is a hip warehouse space complete with innovative seasonal menu.

Get up close and feed the free-roaming kangaroos and admire koalas, wombats, little penguins and other Australian native animals at the Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Around the park you will also see cheeky meerkats, dingoes and emus, as well as the park's most popular inhabitants, Crunch the five-metre crocodile and two Sumatran tigers.

The Willy Wonka of gelato stores, Il Piccolo Gelato's line-up features more than 100 artisan flavours, with up to 24 available each day.

Made using fresh milk, no artificial ingredients, colours or flavours, the range includes gelato and sorbetto (dairy-free and vegan).

The Forge Pizzeria is all about sharing good, regional fare with family and friends.

Its wood-fired pizza menu includes everything from the crowd-favourite Shearers pizza (slow-cooked Western Victorian lamb with Meredith goat cheese, rosemary, garlic, spinach, red onion, mozzarella and pine nuts) to the strawberry and Nutella dessert pizza.

There are few children who will say no to pancakes.

So, if you’re after an easy win, look no further than The Pancake Kitchen.

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.

Just around the corner from Sovereign Hill, you’ll find a 300-seat bistro with a kids' menu fit for even the fussiest little ones.

 

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.