Fusing creativity with historic charm, the Ballarat region offers a distinct twist on your big smoke escape plan.
Pick your way through the local produce trail and catch some cultural events for an easy spring reset.
From circus to steam
Saddle up for modern country music festival Strummingbird. Ballarat is one of just three Australian cities to host Strummingbird in 2026 – and the only Victorian location. An impressive array of international and homegrown acts will take to the stage at Victoria Park on 10 October.
Melbourne Fringe Festival is bringing its unique platform for independent arts to Ballarat for the first time. Fringe Encore: Ballarat brings four days of boundary-pushing shows and exhibitions to some of city’s most iconic and unexpected venues. The exciting line-up includes drag parody play Fountain Lakes: Y2K, immersive circus and culinary experience Degustation, comedian Sammy J and many more.
22–25 October
Step into a bygone era at the 128th Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally, featuring 65 display sheds packed full of historic steam-powered machines, car displays, radio-controlled boats, blacksmithing and more.
31 October – 1 November
Green thumbs will enjoy a spring excursion to the goldrush town of Creswick for the annual Garden Lovers Weekend. Now in its 11th year, explore private gardens and meet their masters. There's also a monster plant sale on the Saturday and Flower Show featuring exhibits, floral art and a scarecrow challenge.
7–8 November
The Victorian Medieval Festival returns to Kryal Castle for a weekend of historical re-enactment and family fun. Explore a bustling medieval village, watch thrilling massed battles, birds of prey displays and the jousting tournament. Young adventurers can enrol in Knight School or try their hand at archery and potion making.
21–22 November
Farm-fresh picks
Indulge in the freshest fruits of the region at the Bacchus Marsh Strawberry and Cherry Festival. Bring the family along for fruit picking, carnival rides, delectable CWA Devonshire teas and an indoor makers’ market. Plus, there’s a fireworks display on the Saturday night to celebrate the new growing season.
13–15 November
Every weekend sees a market or two pop up in Ballarat and surrounding towns. The Ballarat Farmers’ Market is held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at Lake Wendouree’s North Gardens Reserve. Featuring everything from fudge to gin, the market’s many vendors are seasonal producers, with anywhere from 80 to 130 stalls on offer at each market.
The Avoca Riverside Market provides a snapshot of the Pyrenees wine region in a tranquil setting. Around 40 stalls showcase the wine, artisan wares, plants and locally grown produce of the region on the 4th Sunday of each month.
Sun 27 September, Sun 25 October and Sun 22 November
The Ballarat Makers Edit is a quarterly curated market in the Ballarat Mining Exchange which celebrates Australian makers and design-led small business.
11 October
And don’t miss SpringFest Ballarat Market Sunday on 29 November, which brings more than 450 stalls to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens precinct, making it the city’s biggest annual market.
Win(e)ding trails
From kangaroo pizza to tiny homes under the stars, the Pyrenees wine region to the northwest of Ballarat features more than 25 cellar doors to explore this spring.
You can even winery hop by bike on the 46km Avoca Moonambel Cycle Loop.
The Trail Run Wine Running Weekend will see runners make their way through the vine-filled corridors of Mount Avoca Winery and Blue Pyrenees Estate, and along rugged forested ridge lines. Pick your own distance, from a 1.6km sprint under the stars to a 42km marathon where you'll be handed a specially engraved wine glass to mark your epic effort. Saturday’s courses even feature a mid-race cheese and wine aid station – cheers to that!
14–15 November
Looking for family-friendly fun? Read up on spring school holiday experiences.
What's On
No matter the season or the reason, there's always plenty going on in Ballarat. Check our calendar to see what's on in the city and surrounds
