Ballarat Travel Guide

  The water wagon at Sovereign Hill
by Rambling_Rover
 
  • The water wagon at Sovereign Hill
      The water wagon at Sovereign Hill
    by Rambling_Rover
  • Lydiard Street in Ballarat town centre
      Lydiard Street in Ballarat town centre
    by SWFC_Fan
  • Actors and horses at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat
      Actors and horses at Sovereign Hill,...
    by SWFC_Fan
  • A gold nugget on show at Ballarat
      A gold nugget on show at Ballarat
    by SWFC_Fan
  • Intersection
      Intersection
    by dlandt
 

Pro

xuessium profile photo

 Most people comes here for the Sovereign Hill Theme Park 


Con

Sweetberry1 profile photo

 Can get bitterly cold during the winter months.. 


In a nutshell

Sweetberry1 profile photo

 Grand old city, definitely worth a visit. 

 

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Things to Do  

Lake Wendouree

Lake Wendouree, Ballarat

 cjg1 Says:  Lake Wendouree is a man made lake in Ballarat. The lake was created when they dammed up the swamp during the Gold Rush in the 1850's. The Lake today serves as a popular recreational spot for fishing, rowing, boating and canoeing. The Lake even hosted the 1956 Olympic games... 

Arch of Victory

Arch of Victory, Ballarat

 cjg1 Says:  As we drove into Ballarat from the highway we encountered the Victory Arch. This large arch spanned the length of the road almost as if to welcome us into the city. Later we found out this is the entrance point to the Avenue of Honour; which encompassed several War memorials... 

Living History in Sovereign Hill

Living History in Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

 Rambling_Rover Says:  One of the many parallels between the United States and Australia is a Gold Rush. On an earlier trip to Alaska we visited the Gold Rush town of Skagway so we had to see Sovereign Hill. We were not disapointed. This is a first rate living history museum and well worth your... 

Ballarat Ghost Tour

Ballarat Ghost Tour, Ballarat

 FoxPearl Says:  Eerie Tours Ballarat is a walking ghost tour of the historical Lydiard and Camp St areas, and the website is www.eerietours.com.au I am a local resident and was invited on a tour, and since there is generally little to do at night time in Ballarat I jumped at the chance. The... 

Soverign Hill

Soverign Hill, Ballarat

 stevemt Says:  Yes this is a very touristy thing to do, but it is informitive as to how things worked in the gold rish era.This place has every one of its employees in period costume, doing things the way things were done in that era, (including the punnishments and exectutions) 

Eureka Stockade

Eureka Stockade, Ballarat

 stevemt Says:  The Eureka Stockade was a gold miners' revolt in 1854 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, against the officials supervising the mining of gold in the region of Ballarat. It was prompted by grievances over heavily priced mining items, the expense of a Miner's Licence, and... 

Gold rush themed Mini Golf

Gold rush themed Mini Golf, Ballarat

 Kate-Me Says:  Newly opened in December 2006, Gold Rush Golf is located at the western highway entrance to Ballarat, where the giant 6 metre Miner at the entrance makes it a very easy place to spot.Prices for 1 round: Adult $10, Children $7. $25 per family (2 adults, 2 children)The outdoor... 

Ballarat Bird World

Ballarat Bird World, Ballarat

 Kate-Me Says:  To really appreciate this attraction, you need to know that the waterfalls, tree fern rainforest, ponds, gardens and walkways in its pretty and tranquil bushland setting were originally built as a hobby by just one man, over a period of 20 years. Later, he decided to open it... 

Thars gold in them thar hills - still

Thars gold in them thar hills - still, Ballarat

 iandsmith Says:  During 1854 - 1858 more than 2 1/2 million ounces, worth about 10 million pounds in those days, was taken from Ballaarat (original spelling) using pick and shovel, and probably much more was taken away by lucky diggers in their boxes and bags of goldbelts. And just this note... 

Hotels  

Sovereign Park Motor Inn

 1 Review and 52 Opinions  Had a wonderful 5 day stay in this Hotel, conveniently located close to Sovereign Hill. The staff... 

Sovereign Hill Lodge

 1 Review and 117 Opinions  Sovereign Hill lodge has different types of accommodation available. The Heritage option is... 

Restaurants  

City Oval: Good Pub Lunch

City Oval: Good Pub Lunch, Ballarat

 cjg1 Says:  City Oval is a pub/restaurant that was located right next to our hotel in Ballarat. We arrived rather hungry that day and decided to grab some lunch after our walk around the lake. The interior is quite spacious with a large bar area, dining rooms and a seperate area for... 

The Heritage Bar and Restaurant:The George Hotel: Looked Better than it Tasted

The Heritage Bar and Restaurant:The George Hotel: Looked Better than it Tasted, Ballarat

 cjg1 Says:  My wife and I had walked by the Historic George Hotel earlier in the day and decided to come back here for a nice dinner. From the get go we loved the interior of the place and the friendly bar man who greeted us as we entered. The area is divided up into the bar and the... 

Country Mouse: Vintage style homewares and Cafe

Country Mouse: Vintage style homewares and Cafe, Ballarat

 Kate-Me Says:  Country Mouse is a very interesting combination... when you're in the front of the store, it's the homewares that dominate, with quite a lot of vintage stuff, very nicely presented, and once out the back, it's the cafe you notice, very nicely presented (see cupcakes for... 

Jade Inn Restaurant: Cheap and cheerful Chinese food

Jade Inn Restaurant: Cheap and cheerful Chinese food, Ballarat

 Kate-Me Says:  This small, attractive yet simple restaurant serves has a combination of Malaysian and Chinese dishes. I highly recommend the lunch box specials - rice & 1 main meal - same as the dinner menu (minus seafood and some of the meats) but for only Aus $7.50 The price is average... 

Nightlife  

The Chapel Nightclub: Conversion

The Chapel Nightclub: Conversion, Ballarat

 iandsmith Says:  Thinking I would be able to glean more information off the net, I failed to take notes about this venue though, since it wasn't open when I was there, that would have been hard to do.Obviously it's a converted chapel but, as to its opening hours or what you can expect... 

The Bended Elbow: Disco and a drop

The Bended Elbow: Disco and a drop, Ballarat

 iandsmith Says:  "Ballarat's newest and most exciting venue has arrived! Situated in the heart of Ballarat, the Bended Elbow offers the very best in dining, bar and entertainment. Ballarat's premium, pub and there are 20 varieties of beer on tap including our very own Ballarat Gold Ale -... 

Transportation  

Driving

Driving, Ballarat

 cjg1 Says:  My wife and I made arrangements to rent a car through Europcar for our drive on the Great Ocean Road. We arrived at the train station in Melbourne and headed off to the car rental office. Our car was at an off site location (weird) so we hopped into a car with the clerk to... 

Fast train to Melbourne

Fast train to Melbourne, Ballarat

 iandsmith Says:  Here is a town that has a rail service that can actually get to Melbourne faster than a car. Amazing. One day Australian railways may all be like that but, sadlly, I won't be alive to see it. Still, let us rejoice that at least here the dream still lives.Yes, in just over... 

Shopping  

Central Square: On the hill

Central Square: On the hill, Ballarat

 iandsmith Says:  This is another place that they've blocked off and made pedestrian friendly. In the heart of the city at Central Square Shopping Centre, you'll find everything from music to food, diamonds to juice bars and fashion to home wares. Parking is convenient in the adjacent... 

Bridge Street Mall: Old style, modern outlook

Bridge Street Mall: Old style, modern outlook, Ballarat

 iandsmith Says:  This isn't just a shop, rather obviously, it's a whole couple of blocks of shops. With the majority of old style fronts retained, you can enjoy the individuality of each shop but still have parking nearby. Other towns could take note.Chuck in a couple of trees and there you... 

Local Customs  

Weather bashing, Melbourne Vs Ballarat

Weather bashing, Melbourne Vs Ballarat, Ballarat

 Kate-Me Says:  In Melbourne, you might hear a lot of talk about how Ballarat's weather is Freeezing and always raining compared to Melbourne....but especially with the drought these days, it's just not true. Poster is from a recent Ballarat expo which was held in Federation Square recently... 

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