From truffles and handcrafted wine to bespoke jewellery inspired by Brutalist architecture, here's the lowdown on what's new in Ballarat this spring...
New food & drink offerings
- In the words of The Mallow Hotel team, "the fire’s glowing and the taps are flowing". Yes, the circa 1862 watering hole is open once again open for business after an extensive renovation. The Mallow has been brought back to life by Dan Tesoreiro and Douglas Kerr – the duo behind Ballarat's European-style fine diner Peasant, which will make its long-awaited return very soon. You'll find The Mallow at 18–20 Skipton St.
- Now here's a dining experience that's anything but ordinary! All aboard for an immersive journey through flavour, craft and seasonality with Black Cat Truffles and Meredith Wines. Seasons In The Glass is a rare culinary and wine experience set against the serene backdrop of the Ballarat truffière. Every dish at the six-course degustation lunch will be crafted to celebrate the abundance of the region, while each glass of handcrafted wine will bring the story of the vineyard to life. Guests will also be the very first to taste a brand new Meredith Wines release. This special event will be held on Sunday 5 October at 12.30pm.
New things to see & do
- It's big, it's bold and it's wonderfully fantastical. Sunnyside is Ballarat's new and immersive celebration of colour, creativity and community. The inaugural edition will see internationally acclaimed UK artist Morag Myerscough transform the historic Ballarat Mining Exchange into a wondrous new nature-inspired installation, Chasing Sunbeams, from 6–23 November.
- Handcrafted jewellery inspired by Brutalist architecture? Cut Off Your Hands Jewellery is all about embracing the unconventional. Alana Smith is the new artist-in-residence at Art Hub Ballarat. Focusing heavily on texture, Alana likes to capture the roughness of eroded concrete structures in her sterling silver work. Until 30 November, you can see her in action every Thursday to Sunday from 11am–5pm at 10 Lydiard St Nth.
- Move over, AFL – the AFLW is bound for Ballarat this spring! See the mighty Western Bulldogs take on the Geelong Cats at Mars Stadium on Sunday 26 October at 1.05pm. Tickets are just $15 for adults and free for under-18s.
New places to stay
- A Thousand Pines feels like something straight out of a fairytale. The late 1800s miner's cottage has been beautifully restored and filled with precious wonders of days past. Inspired by Ballarat's gold rush era, the two-bedroom home sleeps up to four people.
- Sweeten your next getaway with this slice of Learmonth history. Established in 1884, the beautifully restored Huckers Bakery is now a rustic chic retreat. Special touches throughout honour its past life, including a peek-through ceiling panel revealing original slat roofing and a lounge that once served as the bakery's shopfront. This unique three-bedroom property sleeps up to six people and is just a short 20-minute drive from Ballarat.
WINTER 2025
New food & drink offerings
- Discover Ballarat's vibrant foodie history and culture on the city's newest guided walking tour. Hosted by Hidden Lanes, the Ballarat Foodie and Distillery Tour is a chance to uncover the stories behind each delicious bite. Savour a curated tasting menu of Ballarat's finest with a progressive degustation lunch. Meet passionate local chefs and distillers, unearth Ballarat's underground gold rush bakery and explore tucked-away laneways and cafes.
- Introducing music-store-turned-cafe Cross Roads Coffee Bar. This historic wedge-shaped building was previously the home of Crossroads Music for almost 30 years. After extensive renovations, it's now found a new calling as a neighbourhood cafe pumping out Veneziano coffee, sandwiches, cakes plus sweet and savoury pastries. Cross Roads is open 6am-2pm daily at 32 Skipton St.
- Retail therapy with a side of Allpress Espresso coffee and cake? Sign us up! Luxe homewares boutique Willow + Hutch just got even better with the unveiling of its new on-site cafe. "We’re incredibly lucky to be working with some amazing locals – including the wonderful Sara Kittelty – for our sweet treats," the W+H team said in a recent Instagram post. Check it out Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm at 502 Macarthur St.
New things to see & do
- This is our kind of winter warmer! The Sauna Float is a wood-fired Finnish sauna tucked away within Creswick's Calembeen Park. Heated between 80–95C, the traditional sauna offers benefits like improved circulation, detoxification, stress relief and ultimate relaxation. And, if you dare, you can even cool off outside with a dip in the lake!
- In search of something cheaper than therapy and way more fun?! We give you pitty witty's beginners ceramics workshops – and you don't need to have a creative bone in your body! But be warned – according to pitty witty's creative heart, Carly Pitts, "you will fall in love with ceramics. Side effects may include uncontrollable bragging and the urge to start a pottery Instagram!". The workshops are held in a beautiful bush setting in Enfield (a short 10-minute drive from Buninyong). All the supplies you need are included (clay, ceramic tools, sponge and apron) and we can't forget the fully catered high tea! Your masterpiece will be fired in a kiln post-workshop and ready to be collected in about a month.
- Recharge your batteries this winter at RE:NU Social Wellness. Just what the doctor ordered, RE:NU's offerings include traditional and infrared saunas, cold plunges, yoga, pilates, breathwork, meditation and massage. Check in for some guaranteed zen at 35 Mair St.
- And then, at the other end of the scale, you've got indoor golf and entertainment experience X-Golf Ballarat. Think state-of-the-art simulators, scrumptious food, cocktails and beer. You'll find X-Golf at 3/810 Norman St.
New places to stay
- Step into the shadows with Creswick's new boutique architectural accommodation. Designed by Ballarat's acclaimed Moloney Architects, Shadows Creswick has to be seen to be believed. Japanese-inspired with minimalist vibes, the one-bedroom retreat is built from spotted gum, charred blackbutt and concrete. Standouts of the cocoon-like space include a sunken lounge, circular terracotta shower, full kitchen plus a dreamy outdoor bath in a private native garden.
- Now this is what dreams are made of! Presenting Sonder House Retreat Clunes. This stylish country escape is designed to give you room to breathe, unwind and enjoy a level of seclusion rarely found. Just 25 minutes from Ballarat, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom getaway sleeps up to four guests. Standout features include French doors onto the sunlit deck, freestanding baths built for two plus an outdoor fire pit.
- Now this is what you call a unique stay! Introducing Parklife Ballarat – a mid-century home bursting with retro fun and 1960s style. Immerse yourself in colour, pattern, art and curious collectables from decades past. The three-bedroom home sleeps up to six guests and is within walking distance of Lake Wendouree and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
