When you get away for the weekend, the last thing you want to do is come home feeling exhausted.

So, when you’re ready for a guaranteed weekend of euphoric bliss, start planning an adventure to revel in. 

1. Unwind at Ballarat Sanctuary Day Spa 
Time to unwind, indulge and enjoy complete bliss. 

Leave your stresses at the door and let the Ballarat Sanctuary Day Spa team take you on a journey of relaxation.

2. Explore Ballarat at a slower pace  
Whether you prefer getting off-road and taking in the scenery, or simply discovering a new city at your own pace, there’s a smorgasbord of cycling trails awaiting your discovery in the Ballarat region. Hire a bike (or the electric version) for a day and explore the city at a slower pace.   
 
Got the family in tow? No worries, pack a picnic and check out the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail.  

3. Watch the swans as you picnic at Lake Wendouree  
When it comes to the perfect picnic spot, it doesn’t get much better than Lake Wendouree.   

Watch the swans as you devour handmade croissants and pies from 1816 Bakehouse, or find some shade under the 100-year-old trees at the Botanical Gardens and enjoy a grazing box from Mitchell Harris Wines or delicious treats from Ballarat sweet icon Vegas and Rose.

4. Sit down with a good coffee and people watch 
The coffee scene in Ballarat is seriously booming. But don’t just take our word for it, come check it out for yourself. 
Serving locally-roasted and Melbourne-style coffee, you can’t help but sit back and enjoy the aromas and flavours of great tasting coffee at one of the city’s local hotspots – Fika, Higher Society, Johnny Alloo, Webster’s Market & Café, Tin Roof, Hydrant Food Hall, Eclectic Tastes or Drive (just to name a few). 

5. Check out one of the region’s cool cellar doors 
If you’ve got wine on your mind then your next stop needs to be Mitchell Harris. Winemaker John Harris works with growers in Pyrenees, Macedon, Ballarat and Henty to craft wines that reflect the cool-climate characters of the nearby regions.   
Sit down to their seasonal menu and watch traffic pass by from their Doveton Street warehouse.   

Take a short 20-minute scenic drive out to Coghill’s Creek and you’ll discover Eastern Peake Winery.  Visit the cellar to enjoy top drops, including some of the best Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah in the state. You’ll instantly understand why Owen Latta has been awarded Australia’s Young Winemaker of the Year.   

Situated just off Ballarat’s beautiful Avenue of Honour, the Michael Unwin Wines cellar door has become a popular weekend destination for local wine lovers.  Processed and bottled onsite, you’ll likely find yourself right in the middle of the wine making process when you arrive.