Morning – Sovereign Hill
Step back in time and experience life during the world’s largest alluvial gold rush at living museum Sovereign Hill. Purchase the VIP Rebellion Pass for a hosted experience where you will discover hidden details, untold stories and gain rare behind-the-scenes insights. The pass includes entry into Sovereign Hill, a small group tour through the township, VIP gold panning, priority seating at the gold pour demonstration plus take-home mementos.
Lunch – Lola
eave the grit of the gold rush and travel to modern-day Europe at Lola, an intimate, European-inspired restaurant at The Provincial Hotel. The 55-seat dining room provides a relaxed and elegant experience, and the menu is shaped each season by the region’s best locally sourced produce.
Afternoon – Art galleries
Just a four‑minute walk from Lola, Perridak Arts is a First Nations‑owned gallery showcasing the work and stories of local First Nations artists, supporting cultural connection and creative practice. The Art Gallery of Ballarat is currently closed for renewal until early 2027, however its off‑site Backspace Gallery, located 200 metres from Perridak Arts, is open daily, showcasing exhibitions by local and emerging contemporary artists.
Check in to Hotel Vera
It’s time to check into Hotel Vera for some downtime before heading out for the evening!
Dinner at Itinerant Spirits
Dine at Itinerant Spirits, a working distillery, classy cocktail bar and whisky den located within The Goods Shed. Sample the menu of snacks, charcuterie, pizzas and sharing plates as you sip on Itinerant’s very own Gallivanter Gin, Vansetter Vodka and Wayfarer Whiskey.
AURA at Sovereign Hill
From a place you know comes a story you don’t! Return to Sovereign Hill under the cover of darkness for the 90-minute sound and light show AURA. Immerse yourself in the story of gold and explore the creation, discovery and impact of the precious metal then and now. Discover the Wadawurrung creation story, the history of gold and the Eureka Rebellion, filled with triumphs and tragedies.
Morning – Breakfast at Webster’s Market and Café
Start the morning with breakfast at Webster’s Market & Café, a beautiful heritage corner store and true caffeine oasis where you can enjoy expertly brewed coffee and a specialty breakfast.
Hands-on pottery workshop
It’s time for creative inspiration at The Pottage pottery and ceramics studio, founded by Ballarat ceramicist Shelby Sherritt. During a hands‑on workshop, choose your own pottery piece to paint, after which it’s glazed and fired for later collection or home delivery.
The Pottage – Pottery and Ceramics Studio
67-69 Bridge Mall, Ballarat Central, VIC 3350
Get directions
Lunch – Meigas
Take your tastebuds to Spain at Meigas, Ballarat’s traditional Spanish tapas bar and restaurant. Meigas is all about sharing food and enjoying an authentic cultural experience. The menu features charcuteria, tapas, larger mains and desserts. Latin music and vintage Spanish décor add further flavour to your dining experience.
Afternoon – Wootten
Drive to the Wootten flagship store and discover handcrafted leather footwear by Jess Cameron‑Wootten, one of Australia’s last remaining cordwainers. Continuing a 50‑year family tradition, Wootten creates made‑to‑order, custom‑fit shoes alongside complementary leather goods, all crafted in Ballarat inside a former World War II gun cotton factory and shipped to customers worldwide.
Artisan creators - Kilderkin Distillery
Housed in a converted warehouse, Kilderkin Distillery handcrafts artisan spirits including Larrikin gin, Kilderkin whisky and gin liqueurs. Enjoy a tasting flight or choose from a menu of spirits, cocktails, craft beers and ciders, with gourmet toasties by MasterChef semi‑finalist and TV host Tim Bone served on weekends.
Dinner – Babae
Dinner tonight is at Babae, the intimate 26-seat fine-dining restaurant housed within Hotel Vera. Babae is a chef-hatted restaurant led by acclaimed culinary director Tim Foster. Watch on as a seasonal degustation celebrating local produce is brought to life in the central open kitchen.
Breakfast - Hotel Vera
Hotel Vera offers a seasonally inspired continental breakfast incorporating many local artisan producers.
Buy direct at the local markets
The Bridge Market in the Bridge Mall (first Saturday of each month) and the Ballarat Farmers’ Market in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens precinct (second and fourth Saturday of each month) are both bursting with local produce and handmade goods from 9am–1pm.
The Bridge Market: Bridge Mall, Ballarat
Ballarat Farmers’ Market: Zoo Drive, North Gardens Reserve
Alternative option: Creswick Market is a much‑loved offering in the historic township of Creswick, just 20 minutes from Ballarat. It offers local produce, handcrafted wares and live music on the third Saturday of each month from 9am–1pm.
Lunch – Black Cat Truffles
Indulge in an authentic paddock‑to‑plate experience at Black Cat Truffles, an acclaimed truffle farm and hatted restaurant on the edge of the Creswick State Forest.
During the summer and winter truffle seasons, guests can join a truffle hunt with owner and chef Liam Downes and his dogs before enjoying a seasonal degustation showcasing the Central Highlands’ finest produce. Outside truffle season, the hatted restaurant continues to offer flavour‑driven menus celebrating the region.
Afternoon – Pyrenees wine region
Venture into the postcard-perfect Pyrenees wine region to meet the makers and experience the flavours of two outstanding wineries. Selling exclusively to restaurants and niche retailers, Eastern Peake’s cellar door is one of the few places you can taste (or buy) its exceptional wines. Using organic farming practices, Eastern Peake produces brut (sparkling), chardonnay and pinot noir, which can all be sampled while taking in the stunning views.
Michael Unwin Wines
Drive 15 minutes to Michael Unwin Wines, a family-owned, off-grid winery offering a cosy loungeroom-style cellar door where you can sample wines and savour cheese plates. BYO bottle and ‘fill your own’ with a cellar door range available exclusively to visitors, or experience a tasting in the converted tram car.
Dinner – Mr Jones
Mr Jones is a fine-dining modern Asian restaurant presented by chef Damien Jones, previously of hatted Ballarat restaurant Catfish Thai. Known for its fresh flavours and intriguing dishes, indulge in a shared dining or set banquet menu, with the option of matched wines.
Breakfast - The Turret Cafe
After checking out of your hotel, head to The Turret Cafe for breakfast. Tucked away in a beautifully restored 1890s building, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the extensive all-day breakfast menu with a focus on local produce and great coffee
Morning – Hidden Lanes Walking Tour
Discover a side of Ballarat that most visitors miss on a Hidden Lanes guided walking tour. Wander hidden alleys, explore heritage buildings and hear secret stories that bring the city’s gold rush past and creative present to life. Get exclusive access to the upper level of the Ballarat Town Hall and Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute, see where the momentous Eureka Stockade speech was made and enjoy a hot drink at the grandest hotel in Ballarat. Tours take 2-2.5 hours and cover 1.5km at a relaxed pace.
Lunch - Johnny Alloo
Housed in an 1870s building and named after the Chinese immigrant who established Ballarat’s first restaurant in 1852, Johnny Alloo aims to connect people and bring joy through great food and beverage experiences – just like Johnny did 170 years ago. The all-day menu features traditional breakfast options, salads and larger meals, focusing on local produce.
Afternoon - A piece of Ballarat
We guarantee that you’ve never experienced a bookshop quite like Collins Booksellers Ballarat on Lydiard! This destination bookstore holds the largest range of books in Ballarat, housed in an historically and architecturally rich building. Marvel at the old-style bookcases, heritage front counter, open fireplaces, wooden floors, pressed tin roof and old-fashioned signage.
Ballarat flavour to go!
Before you head home, make sure you take a piece of Ballarat with you. Purchase some locally made products and visit some of the city’s best providores to stock up on artisan delights. The below businesses are open 10am–4pm daily.
Take a 3-minute walk to The Made of: Ballarat Shop at the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre. Browse the large range of produce, gifts, homewares and souvenirs made by our talented makers, creators and producers.
Then walk 3 minutes to 1816 Bakehouse, an artisan bakery where you can purchase its renowned sourdough bread and house-made pastries and pies.
Hop back in the car and drive 4 minutes to Carboni’s Next Door to pick up some artisan fresh pasta, premium antipasti, charcuterie, cheese and sauces.
Sunday dinner is all sorted!
Collins Booksellers Ballarat on Lydiard
22 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central, VIC 3350
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