From retro-inspired stays to spiegeltents and saunas, here's the lowdown on what's new in Ballarat this winter...
New food & drink offerings
- Choose your own adventure with the long-awaited reopening of The Mallow Hotel. The Skipton St watering hole is being brought back to life by Peasant's Daniel Tesoreiro and Douglas Kerr. The Mallow's new-look front bar and downstairs dining room is set to open in late June. While the hotel's main kitchen is still being revamped, Playing with Fire Pizza will keep the ovens hot and the drinks flowing. The Mallow's new kitchen will be ready to go in July, dishing up pub grub seven nights and five days a week. European-style fine diner Peasant will join the on-site offerings in late July, followed by the unveiling of an upstairs wine bar in late July/August.
- Everyone needs good neighbours and The Mallow has struck an instant chord with the 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 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.
New things to see & do
- A tent in the middle of Sturt St – no, it's not a mirage! Joining the Ballarat Winter Festival line-up in 2025 is the Ukiyo Tent. Taking its name from the Japanese word meaning 'the floating world', the pop-up tent will host a range of family-friendly performances including Dr Hubble's Bubbles, captivating romantic comedy All You Need Is Love and master juggler The Great Dave. Catch a show from 5-20 July.
- 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.
