What to do in Ballarat from Boxing Day until New Year’s Day

Some call it Crimbo Limbo or Twixmas, in Norway it’s known as Romjul – to us, it’s that much-needed downtime between Christmas Day and the start of the new year.

It’s when you momentarily hit the ‘pause’ button and take a breather after successfully surviving the silly season.

If you’re looking for a way to fill in those sleepy days from 26 December-1 January, Ballarat is the perfect destination to rest, relax and even have a little fun.

5 cafes to get your coffee and brunch fix

• 1816 Bakehouse (18 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat)
• Johnny Alloo (32 Drummond St Nth, Ballarat)
• L’Espresso (417 Sturt St, Ballarat)
• Stables Cafe at Hotel Canberra (812 Macarthur Street, Ballarat – closed Boxing Day)
• Eclectic Tastes (2 Burnbank Street, Ballarat – closed Boxing Day)

5 restaurants to dine out at

• Boatshed Restaurant (27 Wendouree Pde, Ballarat)
• Carboni’s (152 Eureka St, Ballarat)
• Gallery Restaurant at Craig’s Hotel (10 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat)
• Golf House Hotel (920 Doveton St Nth, Ballarat)
• The Forge Pizzeria (14 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat – closed Boxing Day)

5 attractions to explore

• Sovereign Hill (Bradshaw St, Ballarat)
• Ballarat Wildlife Park (250 Fussell St, Ballarat)
• Kryal Castle (121 Forbes Rd, Leigh Creek)
• Art Gallery of Ballarat (40 Lydiard St Nth, Ballarat)
• Eureka Centre (102 Stawell St Sth, Ballarat)

5 more things to do

• Visit the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and Robert Clark Conservatory (9am-4.30pm daily)
• Ozact’s As You Like It at Kirks Reservoir (26-27 December at 6.30pm)
• AURA sound and light show at Sovereign Hill (nightly at 9.15pm)
• Summer holidays at Newlyn’s Maze House (from 27 December)
• 2024 Burrumbeet Cup at Burrumbeet Racecourse (Monday 1 January from 11am)

3 New Year’s Eve celebrations

• New Year’s Eve party at The Mallow Hotel (Sunday 31 December from 6pm)
• New Year’s Eve Extravaganza at Piano Bar Ballarat (Sunday 31 December from 6pm)
• Bye Bye 2023 at Carboni’s (Sunday 31 December from 7.30pm)

And FYI, the Ballarat Information Centre at the Ballarat Town Hall (225 Sturt Street) will be open 10am-4pm from Boxing Day until New Year’s Day.