Money might be a bit tighter right now but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a well-earned break this summer.

So read on to find out how you can get more bang for your buck in Ballarat…

GETTING AROUND

• You can travel to Ballarat by V/Line train from anywhere in Victoria for just $9.20 on weekdays ($4.60 concession and children) and $6.70 on weekends ($3.35 concession and children)
• Once you’re here, catch a bus from the Ballarat Train Station to Sovereign Hill (bus 21), the Ballarat Wildlife Park (bus 20), Eureka Centre (bus 15), and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens (bus 10 or 11)
• Neuron e-scooters are available for hire in all seasons and are perfect for quick trips around the city. In summer, Neuron e-bikes are added to the network.

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THINGS TO DO

Affordable adventures

• Free entry every day at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, with free guided tours at 11am daily
• Entry is also free at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. On Sundays in January, enjoy free live music in the gardens from 4pm – 8pm as part of Summer Sundays, including fireworks on 14 January.
• Picnic by Lake Wendouree and hire a pedal boat for $15 for two persons (children under 5 free).
• Visit the Ballarat Tramway Museum and go for a ride on a vintage tram for $10 adult, $8 concession, $5 children or $30 family
• On Sundays from October-April, sail on Lake Wendouree onboard the Golden City Paddle Steamer for $15 adult, $8 children or $40 family
• Pick up a bargain secondhand treasure at the Ballarat Vintage and Collectables Market. Over 80 stalls and open seven days a week 10am – 6pm. You’ll find the market a couple of minutes drive outside of Ballarat on the M8.
• Hit the streets on one of Ballarat’s free self-guided walking tours
• Visit the Eureka Centre for $6 adult, $4 children and concession or $18 family. Entry is free for Ballarat residents on provision of photo ID.
• Sign up for a free tour of the Ballarat Town Hall every Wednesday and Friday at 2pm. Or take a tour of the historic Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute every Tuesday at 2pm for $10 a person
• Discover some of Ballarat’s quirky cafes, antique shops, history tales, beautiful scenery and buildings on Hidden Lanes’ slow travel interactive walking tour. The digital guidebook can be purchased online for $14.99
• Explore Ballarat on two wheels with Ride Ballarat – the city’s best cycling trails. We recommend the Lake Wendouree Loop Ride, which starts at Ballarat Railway Station. If you don’t have your own bike, hire an orange Neuron e-bike for city riding (available only in summer), or if you are exploring further afield, arrange a mountain bike drop off from Ballarat Bike Hire.

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FOOD & DRINK

Cheap eats

Here’s some of our favourite places to fill our belly for under $20 a person:

• 1816 Bakehouse (16-18 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat)
• Earls Deli (11 Davey Street, Ballarat)
• Saigon Allee (30 Armstrong St N, Ballarat)
• Shep St Sandos (8 Shepperd St, Ballarat)
• Saigon Noodle House (10 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat)
• Kosaten (30 Sturt St, Ballarat)
• For a sweet treat, Il Piccolo Gelato (217 Sturt Street, Ballarat) or The Little Cupcake (223 Eureka Street, Ballarat)

Weekday specials

• Experience fresh modern Asian fare by a hatted chef at Mr Jones. Enjoy the Wednesday or Thursday School Night Banquet for $65 per person.
• Wine O’Clock at Mitchell Harris every Tuesday-Friday between 4pm-6pm, with some of the bar’s favourite wines at $10 a glass, beers at $8 and snack plates at $12
• Every Wednesday – Friday at Aunty Jacks, enjoy a burger and a pot for $20. Plus on Thursdays between 12pm and 8pm, buy a pint at pot prices.
• The Lake View Hotel will keep you happy on weekdays: 2 for 1 cocktails on Mondays, 2 for 1 schnitzel on Tuesday, Wednesday curry night, Thursday parma-rarma, and an extended happy hour till 6pm on Fridays.
• At The North Star Hotel, take your pick from $5 Sunday night kids’ meals between 4.30pm-6.30pm, $20 Wednesday parma night, $18 Thursday pasta night, and Friday Happy Hour from 3pm-6pm.
• Drop into the Golden City Hotel for a range of $20 meals on Tuesday nights, $12 coffee/T2 tea/milkshake and cake on weekdays from 8am-5pm, $25 Thursday steak nights, plus $17 express lunch on weekdays from 11am-1pm
• Kids under 9 years eat free every Monday and Tuesday at The Sporting Globe Ballarat with every full price adult main meal purchase. Before 3pm Monday to Friday, grab a classic burger, wrap or salad for $15.9.

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ACCOMMODATION

• RACV members can stay for less at Creswick’s RACV Goldfields Resort
• Join the Quest Online Advantage program to get 10% off your stay at Quest Ballarat Station and Quest Ballarat
• Stay at BIG4 Kryal Castle Holiday Park and get discounted entry to Kryal Castle
• Become a BIG4 Holiday Perks+ member to get 10% off your stay at (up to $50) at BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park, NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park and BIG4 Kryal Castle Holiday Park
• Stay at NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park midweek and save up to 15% with a minimum stay of two nights (T&Cs apply).
• Freedom camping at Lake Burrumbeet, Creswick’s Slaty Creek, Haddon Lions Park, Smythesdale Gardens Reserve, Happy Valley Crossing Reserve, and Enfield’s Surface Point

Note: These offers are accurate as of November 2023. Please check with individual businesses to ensure each offer is still valid.