From a giant moth to poolside portraits, Ballarat International Foto Biennale is back for its 11th outing, bringing world-class photography to the city's galleries, laneways and landscapes (artful images at a winery? Cheers to that!).
This Ballarat-based itinerary may seem jam-packed, but it is still just a snapshot – or should we say flash? – of this year's expansive program. Once you've hit these city highlights, you can easily spend a second weekend exploring Biennale beyond Ballarat.
Get out there before the festival closes on 19 October 2025.
For more info and tickets head to ballaratfoto.org
Happy Hour
Ease into the weekend with Thank God It's Foto Friday (TGIFF) – a Friday celebration of photography and community. Eight of Ballarat’s best bars have teamed up to welcome fotophiles with a low key happy hour between 4pm and 7pm. Each week is hosted by a different Open Program venue: Grainery Lane (29 August), Renard (5 September), Roy Hammond (12 September), Cubby House Brewing (19 September), Ellington's Wine Bar (3 October) and Hop Temple (10 October).
Check in for the night
For a central Ballarat stay, try Provincial Hotel, Craig’s Royal Hotel or Hotel Vera. All three boutique properties have exhibitions on show and are walking distance to core program venues. If you're after a comfortable retreat in a bushland setting, head 15 minutes' north of Ballarat to RACV Goldfields Resort in Creswick. The resort is hosting three shows: Niijournal by Campbell Addy, Nature~ista by Leila Jeffreys and Hagoromo (Full Flower Moon) by Hiromi Tango.
The Provincial Hotel and Restaurant Lola
121 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central, VIC 3350
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Brekkie time!
Get a snappy start and catch an Open program show alongside a delicious breakfast at local cafe. Take your pick from Cornerstone, Lydiard General, Tin Roof or Webster’s.
Ballarat International Foto Biennale: I Love Campbell
Ballarat International Foto Biennale: I Love Campbell
12 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central, 3350
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Ballarat International Foto Biennale: Enninful x Mapplethorpe
Collins Booksellers Ballarat on Lydiard
Wander into this charming bookstore on Lydiard Street and contemplate the substance of everyday moments in Catherine Seymour's 'Existence in Small Print'. Opening hours: Mon–Thu 9am–5:30pm; Fri 9am–6pm; Sat 9am–5pm and Sun 10am–4pm.
Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat
Continue down Lydiard Street and step into the grand Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat, where Diana Páez explores themes of transformation through poetic portraiture. Opening hours: Tue–Fri 10am–4pm, Sat 10am–2pm
Lunch: Saigon Allee
Modern Vietnamese restaurant Saigon Allee is a fitting venue for Vera Paulin's 'Voyage Through Vietnam – A Traveller’s First Impressions'. The show captures many varied aspects of this fascinating country. Opening hours: Mon dinner 5pm–9pm, Tue–Sat lunch 12am–2pm, dinner 5pm–9pm.
Ballarat International Foto Biennale: Catherine Leroy
Ballarat International Foto Biennale: Catherine Leroy
225 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, 3350
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Prompted Peculiar International AI Prize
Now in its second year, the Prompted Peculiar – International AI Prize explores the rapidly evolving world of AI-generated imagery. This global competition explores the intersection of creativity and technology, inviting artists to use Artificial Intelligence as a tool to generate visual art through the act of prompting. The exhibition runs alongside another diverse show: 'Long Exposure: The Legacy of Prahran College'. Both are located upstairs at the Miner's Tavern. Please note there is no lift accessible available at this historic venue. Image: Hanna Silver, I'm The Only One In Here, 2025
Perridak Arts
Next stop, Perridak Arts, an Aboriginal owned and operated business on the land of the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative is proud to present a gallery supporting local First Nations artists and craftspeople. For Ballarat International Foto Biennale, group show 'Through a Cultural Lens' features work by Alinta Edwards, Nikki Bell, Nikki Foy, Koen Kay, Georgi Kay, Charli Kay, Josephine Kay, Jason Jakiel, Jane Marini and Madison V. Opening hours: Tue–Fri 10am–4pm and Sat 10am–2pm.
Mumu Mirri
Mumu Mirri which means moth in Wadawurrung language, is a striking new public artwork by Dave Jones in collaboration with Wadawurrung artist and knowledge holder Dr Deanne Gilson. This large-scale commission celebrates the Bogong Moth—an ancient source of sustenance, ceremony and survival for First Nations peoples. Head to the National Centre of Photography (opposite Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat) and take a snap in daylight and after dark for two different portraits of this incredible creature.
Main Road Side Trip
Spend the afternoon down historic Main Road, check out shows at Kank Wolverine and Everybody Knows Bookstore, before winding up at Mr Jones Dining, where fine art photographer Ian Kemp's '1 in 4' exhibition graces the walls. Or dine in the CBD to squeeze even more of the Open Program into your Saturday: try Meigas, Babae, the Golden City Hotel or The North Star Hotel, just to name a few.
Brunch with a side of colourful collage
Stop by Drive, a servo-turned-cafe, for your Sunday kickstarter coffee. Explore Ruth Woodrow's exhibition 'Melbourne Collaged,' which delves into the layered character of Melbourne through six vibrant photographic collages. Opening hours: Mon–Sun 8am–3pm.
Step outside the gallery
Step beyond the gallery and into the streets to experience 'High Exposure'. Featuring photographic artworks produced by emerging Ballarat-based artists in response to the 2025 Ballarat International Foto Biennale theme, Lifeforce, this curated outdoor exhibition spans the city’s laneways and heritage walls. Image: Max Deutscher, Into the Future (detail), 2025
Lunch: The Forge Pizzeria
Tuck into some carbs and check out a collection of mysterious and beautiful rural dreamscapes by Macedon Ranges photographer Stephen McAllister. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12pm–9pm
An afternoon photo walk
Start your post-lunch photo walk at the Art Gallery of Ballarat's Backspace Gallery before heading around the corner for 'Guma' on the Art Screen at Alfred Deakin Place. Admire the paste-up works in Police Lane on your way down to The Goods Shed forecourt, where evocative installation Memory Matrix negotiates the relationship of memory and identity. Finish up at the nearby GovHub for the Martin Kantor Portrait Prize.
A final creative pitstop
With the weekend winding up, take in a final show at Kilderkin Distillery, The Market Hotel, or Campana’s Stockade Cellars and stock up on goodies before you hit the road home.
All done!
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