Want to stay somewhere unique on your next getaway?
From historic churches and charming cottages to off-the-grid cabins and boutique hotels, here are some of the coolest and quirkiest places to stay around the Ballarat region.
Heritage gems
Ballarat’s newest boutique hotel offering brings a whole different level of luxury accommodation.
Located in Sturt Street, Hotel Vera blends the heritage bones of the mid-1880s property with contemporary decor, Australian art and modern facilities.
Meanwhile, fellow heritage stay The Provincial Hotel features 23 suites that have been uniquely styled with a mix of bespoke antique, modern and custom pieces.
Steeped in history, the 163-year-old Craig's Royal Hotel has played host to everyone from Dame Nellie Melba to Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh.
Once a school, the heritage-listed Quest Ballarat offers a range of accommodation options from studio apartments to three-bedroom serviced apartments.
Spacious and modern aparthotel Quest Ballarat Station shares a heritage precinct with the Ballarat Train Station and The Goods Shed, where you'll find Itinerant Spirits.
A former 1860s Baptist church, Battista underwent a major renovation which was showcased on ABC Australia's Restoration Australia. It is now a grand home with a one-bedroom apartment available for stays.
Built in 1901 by a local surgeon, Ballarat Premier Apartments was once a base for returned servicemen and women before being transformed into luxury accommodation in 2013.
Quality Inn Heritage on Lydiard is part of the former Bank of NSW building and dates back to 1862.
Previously the gold rush-era Criterion Hotel, Oscars Hotel & Cafe Bar features 13 contemporary guest rooms with the bonus of an in-house restaurant.
Tiny homes and glamping
Why not make the most of the beautiful Pyrenees scenery and book a night in an Unyoked cabin.
Facing the remote mountain range, these cabins make for the perfect off-the-grid stay.
You can also stay in a tiny house on Captain's Creek Organic Farm in Blampied.
Unique family stays
Stay in the heart of the action at the Sovereign Hill Hotel, with all of the gold rush excitement of Sovereign Hill right on your doorstep.
Or explore Kryal Castle by day and sleep like a king or queen at night in one of the castle's 22 on-site medieval suites.
Back in town, the two-bedroom Bobby Three One Oh is described as being a "boutique 80's Memphis design retreat".
Country retreats
Escape to the country at Tuki Retreat Trout Farm and soak up the views of the Loddon-Campaspe Valley from the Smeaton property's three cottages.
The National-Trust listed Mount Mitchell Estate near Lexton has a charming cottage on site, surrounded by 10 acres of impressive gardens.
In Golden Plains, restored 1850s country farmhouse, Kuruc-a-ruc Homestead, is set on a 1400 acre merino wool farm.
