From a special regional encore of the Melbourne Fringe Festival to pop-up brownies and a margarita crawl, here's the lowdown on what's new in Ballarat this spring...
New things to see & do
- Country cool is rolling into Ballarat this spring – and Post Malone is leading the charge! The US singer/songwriter will headline modern country music festival Strummingbird at Ballarat's Victoria Park on Saturday 10 October. Other big names set to grace the stage include Bailey Zimmerman, Cooper Alan, Stella Lefty, Dexter and The Moonrocks plus many more.
- A week after the Melbourne Fringe Festival wraps, Fringe Encore: Ballarat will bring a stellar line-up of independent artists to town for four days of surprising art this spring. The program includes a mix of regional exclusives, returning favourites and hand-picked Melbourne Fringe highlights, unfolding across Ballarat from 22-25 October.
- How's this for the ultimate weekend of trails, tales, and tasting?! Pyrenees winery Mount Avoca is joining forces with Big Hill Events for the Trail Run Wine running weekend on 14-15 November. Pitch your tent right on the winery grounds on Friday and Saturday night, wake up amongst the vines and step straight onto the start line for the: 42km trail marathon (Shiraz); 27km trail run (Merlot); 10km trail run (Sauv Blanc); 5km trail run (Chardy); and 2.5km family kids run (Verjuice). And the Saturday courses even feature the legendary Tasty Trail cheese and wine aid station on the final hill!
New food & drink offerings
- Ballarat just got a whole lot sweeter! Vegas & Rose has unveiled a new pop-up kitchen door at The Unicorn. We're talking brownies, cookies, rocky road, winter desserts plus savoury muffins. Get your hands on some tasty treats at 127 Sturt St (enter via Unicorn Lane) every Thursday to Saturday from 10am–2pm.
- It's the comeback we've all been thirsting for. After 37 years off the market, the original-recipe Ballarat Bitter is back in pubs and bottle shops across the city. Founded in 1857, Ballarat Bitter has returned to the city that made it famous courtesy of its founding family, the Coghlans.
- It's always a good time for a margarita... but even better when there's a whole trail of them! Sip your way around Ballarat's best bars with the self-guided Hola Margarita on Saturday 31 October from 1pm. Each of the participating venues will put its own spin on everyone's favourite tequila cocktail.
New places to stay
- Looking for a circuit-breaker from the weekly grind? Dean's Harvest Cottage could be just what the doctor ordered! Just over 20 minutes from Ballarat, this one-bedroom weatherboard sanctuary is nestled among rolling hills, pastures and native bushland. Sink into bespoke furnishings by the crackling wood fire and immerse yourself in the exquisite botanical and landscape artworks of local artist Catherine Freemantle. And for a deeper creative reset, private floral and art workshops are available upon request.
WINTER 2026
- Beautifully messy, sweetly nostalgic – introducing The Scroll Society. From the team behind The Turret Cafe and The Turret Bakehouse comes these 100% sourdough brioche cinnamon scrolls. The revolving line-up of scrumptious scrolls includes everything from honeycomb, vanilla and lemon curd to Biscoff, banoffee and funfetti birthday cake. Limited numbers available from 8am daily at 802 Sturt St.
- New home, new menu, new chapter for the European-style Peasant. Peasant Osteria is now open within the beautiful grounds of Mercure Ballarat Hotel & Convention Centre. The richly atmospheric European dining experience is shaped by exceptional seasonal produce, soulful hospitality and a slower way of gathering. Led by award-winning chef Douglas Kerr and renowned restaurateur Dan Tesoriero, Peasant draws heavily from Dan’s roots with Calabrian and Sicilian influence. Take your pick from the nightly à la carte menu, in addition to a chef’s selection on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Cake is always a good idea when Sara Kittelty is involved. Ballarat's unofficial queen of cakes has just unveiled her newest venture – Kittelty's cafe in a character-filled former corner shop/fish and chip shop. In the words of Sara, "we’re creating a place where good things gather – beautiful cakes, quality coffee, tasty gifts, vintage treasures and friendly faces". Sitting pretty at 134 Victoria St, Kittelty's is open Wednesday to Saturday from 8.30am–4.30pm.
- It's where Ballarat's rebellious spirit meets your next caffeine fix. Rebellion Café is now open at the Eureka Centre Ballarat – located on the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade and home to the Eureka flag. Operated by Ballarat hospitality couple Jamie and Tracey Mahony (from Inexterior), Rebellion Café is open daily from 10am-5pm for breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake. The menu features nods to the history of the site, with offerings like The Governors Big Breakfast and the Rebellion Burger. Check it out at 102 Stawell St.
- Fried chicken and waffles. Chilli prawn scramble. Soufflé pancakes. Hungry yet?! Introducing Blossom & Bloom Ballarat – a cafe that's all about petals, plates and pours. Once the home of Clothesline Cafe, the building has been given a new lease of life thanks to local restauranteur Katie Potikul, who's also at the helm of Cattleya Signature Ballarat, Eatsy Thai and Aunty Katie. With ST. ALi coffee on the menu, Blossom & Bloom is open weekdays 7am–3pm and weekends 7.30am–3.30pm. You'll find it at 202 Humffray St Sth, Ballarat.
- Simple, honest Italian cooking – what's not to love?! Introducing Grano – Ballarat's newest CBD restaurant dishing up hand-made pasta and pizza, generous plates and a lively dining room inspired by the social spirit of Italy. Tucked away inside The Goods Shed Ballarat, Grano (Italian for 'grain') is open for breakfast and lunch from 8am-3pm daily plus dinner Wednesday-Sunday from 5.30pm. And to top it all off, their menu also includes gluten-friendly and vegetarian offerings. Bellissimo! Put Grano to the test at 200 Lydiard St Nth (between Quest Ballarat Station and Itinerant Spirits).
- Pinkies up – there's a new high tea in town! Cafe at Provincial Ballarat is now hosting an elegant yet effortless high tea on the first Saturday morning of each month. Think curated delicacies that are handcrafted, intentional and bursting with colour and flavour. And, of course, perfectly complimented by bottomless tea and coffee. Tickets are $60 adult and $40 children under 12 years.
