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#VISITBALLARAT
6 ideas for a memorable date in Ballarat
Visit Ballarat
07 Feb 2023
Filed underSee & Do
For a date with a difference, Ballarat has got you sorted.
From beautiful gardens to charming wineries, acclaimed restaurants to cooking masterclasses, the choice is yours…
A picnic in the gardens
Pre-order a gourmet grazing box from Pipers By The Lake and then head over the road to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens for a romantic picnic amongst the historic trees and colourful floral displays.
Follow this up with a walk around the picturesque Lake Wendouree.
A hands-on experience
Get your hands dirty with a gnocchi or pasta masterclass at Carboni’s, show your creative side with a paint and sip experience at Pinot & Picasso Ballarat, distill your own gin at Kilderkin Distillery, or learn something new while preserving something old at the Rare Trades Centre.
An afternoon of art
Immerse yourselves in the history of Australian art at the country’s oldest regional gallery, the Art Gallery of Ballarat. From colonial to contemporary, travel through time while browsing the magnificent collection of paintings, sculpture, ceramics and works on paper.
A winery/brewery crawl
For the vino lovers, choose your own adventure on a self-guided tour of the Ballarat region’s acclaimed wineries.
Our top picks include Wayward Winery, Michael Unwin Wines and Eastern Peake.
If beer is more your thing, add Aunty Jacks, Cubby Haus Brewing and Red Duck Brewery to your itinerary.
A winning trio – good food, good wine and gelato
Start your date off with a glass of local wine and a cheese board at Mitchell Harris Wine Bar.
Then stroll around the corner to Spanish tapas bar Meigas for a share plate dinner of patatas bravas, meatballs, calamari, fried eggplant and bullhorn peppers.
And to finish it all off? A delicious artisan gelato from Il Piccolo Gelato.
A night of ultimate luxury
When you really want to impress, you pull out Ballarat’s big guns.
Set the mood with a couple’s massage and private bathing experience at Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa.
Then it’s time for upscale culinary destination Underbar. Just make sure you book well in advance though because this acclaimed 20-seat restaurant fills up fast.
For an experience like no other, stay the night at the one-of-a-kind luxury offering that is Hotel Vera Ballarat.
The hotel’s seven personalised suites merge modernity, sustainability and seclusion for a truly ethereal stay.
Main image: Wayward Winery
Stories
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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.