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#VISITBALLARAT

Ballarat’s top insta-worthy places to take photos

Visit Ballarat

12 Feb 2024

Filed underSee & Do

When a photo is good enough to be posted on Instagram, you just know!

Lucky for us we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the best backdrop for that next Insta-worthy holiday snap.

From charming sunflower fields to colourful murals and picturesque lookouts, your only decision is deciding where to start …

Lake Wendouree

Lake Wendouree at any angle is worthy of capturing, but there’s one iconic jetty that we always head to for that perfect shot.

And who needs Brighton’s bathing boxes when you have these super cute boat sheds at Lake Wendouree?

Jetty at Lake Wendouree

Field of sunflowers at Dunnstown 

Every year in February and March, the gates to the Britt family farm open to thousands of road trippers looking to get that perfect shot amongst the sea of giant yellow sunflowers. The fields are in peak bloom at slightly different times each year, so stay tuned for seasonal updates from the farm and make sure you book your session before hitting the road.

Dunnstown Pick Your Own Sunflowers

Ballarat Botanical Gardens 

Whether you’re in town for the colourful display at the Ballarat Begonia Festival, or just wondering through the ye-olde trees, you can easily spend hours snapping some seriously cool shots at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

The rare begonia displays open with the festival on 9-11 March 2024 and will be on display for around four weeks afterward. There are seasonal displays year-round, so you will find some colour in Robert Clark Conservatory, even in the middle of winter.

Begonia displays in Robert Clark Conservatory

Easter Eggs and Neon Bunnies

From Saturday 23rd March until Thursday 4 April 2024, hunt for easter eggs and neon bunnies around central Ballarat.

Neon bunnies and eggs on Sturt Street

Sovereign Hill

The photo opportunities at Sovereign Hill are endless. Snap a selfie on the Cobb & Co coach or capture the moment you find gold. You’ll also discover one of the best views of Ballarat from the top of the poppet head.  

For a snap with a difference, book yourself in to the Red Hill Photographic Room, for your chance to dress up like its 1864.

Red Hill Photographic Rooms at Sovereign Hill

Ballarat Wildlife Park

Snap some shots of the roaming kangaroos or get up close with the cuddly koalas, cheeky meerkats and scaly reptiles at the Ballarat Wildlife Park. Private Animal Encounter sessions guided by a ranger can be pre-booked before your visit.

Animal Encounter at Ballarat Wildlife Park

Newtown’s Nimmons Bridge 

Built in 1890, Newtown’s Nimmons Bridge forms part of the 53km-long Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail. It is one of the largest timber trestle bridges in Victoria.

bike
Nimmons Bridge on the Skipton Rail Trail

Art Gallery of Ballarat

Step inside this beautiful heritage building and you’ll quickly realise why it’s one of the most photographed locations in Ballarat. Around every corner at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, you’ll discover a new set of perfectly placed portraits just waiting to be snapped.

The Gallery Annexe Wall (outside the gallery between Police Lane and Camp Street) features murals on rotation by local and Victorian artists.

Art Gallery of Ballarat

Hop Lane and Hop Queen 

Ballarat is home to many secret and quirky laneways, but there’s one laneway off Armstrong Street North you definitely need to check out while you’re here. 

Walk down here and you’ll also discover the super cool Hop Queen – a huge mural painted by local artist Travis Price. The umbrellas overhead change colours periodically so there’s always a new scheme to snap.

Hop Lane

Webster Street 

Stop for a coffee before checking out the very cool Travis Price mural on the side of Webster’s Market and Café.

Webster Street mural by Travis Price

The Main Road mural

Step back in time as you wander the iconic Main Road. It never matters what time of the day it is, the Travis Price mural at the end of the street always looks stunning! It’s on the side wall of modern Thai restaurant Mr Jones.

Main Road mural by Travis Price

Ballarat’s historic buildings

Stand by Ballarat’s Burke and Wills fountain in the middle of Sturt Street and you’ll find yourself surrounded by the city’s oldest (and most beautiful) architecture. 

The Ballarat Town Hall, Ballarat Train Station, Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, the Ballarat Mining Exchange, and the Arch of Victory also make beautiful backdrops.

Ballarat Mining Exchange

Mount Buninyong 

Whether you plan to climb to the top for the stunning views, or prefer to simply wander through the endless trees with your four-legged friend – Mount Buninyong is the region’s best kept photography secret.
Here’s a local tip – when it’s snowing, this is where you’ll capture the best photos.

Mount Buninyong

Lal Lal Falls 

Who doesn’t love to capture the beauty of waterfalls? Well good news, we’ve got one of those too. Lal Lal Falls is best viewed in winter and spring when heavier rainfall keeps the water flowing.

Lal Lal Falls

Across Victoria’s Midwest, we acknowledge that we travel across the ancient landscapes of many First Peoples communities.

These lands have been nurtured and cared for over tens of thousands of years and we respect the work of Traditional Custodians for their ongoing care and protection.

We recognise the past injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country. As our knowledge grows, we hope that we can learn from their resilience and creativity that has guided them for over 60,000 years.

As we invite people to visit and explore Victoria’s Midwest, we ask that alongside us, you also grow to respect the stories, living culture and connection to Country of the Ancestors and Elders of our First Peoples.