10 Things to do in Ballarat
Here are the top 10 things to do in Ballarat, a city that was built on gold and is now going through a creative renaissance. They range from traditional to new
History is always close at hand in Ballarat, thanks to its grand architecture and immersive experiences that take you back to the exciting days of the gold rush. In the past few years, Victoria’s third-largest city has gone through something of a cultural renaissance. Chefs, craftspeople, and other creative people have used the city’s rich history to give it a new look. But the streets lined with wrought iron now have a different kind of energy.
This can be seen if you eat at one of the area’s busy restaurants, drink a glass of local wine, or take part in a workshop led by a local maker. Here are some of Ballarat’s oldest and newest attractions.
- Have a great dining experience at Grillers Mark
There is no better place to eat or drink in Ballarat than the Grillers Mark Cafe. It serves the best burgers and grills you’ve ever had. The food is absolutely mouthwatering. There is a separate menu for children as well as a breakfast menu. They have some interesting cocktails, drinks, and wines. And if you’re looking for something light to eat or you have a date coming up, this is the perfect place to go because they have excellent coffee and shakes.
- Take a walking tour of the past
Ballarat was built on gold wealth, and in the 1850s, it was the richest city in the world. This is shown in the beautiful way the heritage streetscape has been kept. Ballarat Heritage Tours offers 90-minute walking tours, or you can go on a self-guided tour of Ballarat’s history. Through its buildings, you can learn about the history of this gold-rush town.
- Go to the art gallery in Ballarat
The Art Gallery of Ballarat is Australia’s oldest and largest regional gallery, making it one of the city’s truly grand heritage buildings. It was started in 1884 and has a large collection of Australian art from the early colonial era to the present day. In addition to its collection, its elegant rooms from the 19th century and modern architectural additions are used for touring and temporary exhibitions. The gift shop is also great. It sells art books and things made by local artists.
- Go to Sovereign Hill to see how people lived in the past
Sovereign Hill shows how people lived in the 1850s. Since 1970, Ballarat, Australia, has been the site of the largest shallow alluvial gold rush in history. The living outdoor museum is a famous place in Ballarat. It was built on the site of an old gold mine. A town built on the goldfields with stores, hotels, a theatre, schools, factories, gold diggings, and underground mines is driven through by costumed people in horse-drawn carriages.
- Go to the Eureka Center to learn about history
Learn more about another important part of Australian history at the Eureka Centre. It is where the Eureka Stockade Rebellion happened in 1854, and it keeps the Eureka Flag, which is one of the most important pieces of history in the country. Through art installations and digital technology, this modern museum tells the stories of the men and women who fought for miners’ rights and helped build a modern, democratic Australia. You can learn about the cultural effects of the gold rush and the people who fought for them.
- Go to an event
Plan your trip to Ballarat around the different arts and cultural festivals that happen there. In the spring, White Night Ballarat uses projections, installations, performances, and music to bring the city’s most famous buildings, cultural institutions, and streets to life. Sovereign Hill’s Winter Wonderlights give off a similar kind of light in the middle of winter.
The Ballarat International Foto Biennale takes place every two years in the spring and has a wide range of photographic exhibitions, talks, workshops, and other events.
- Go to an artist’s master class
By taking a workshop or masterclass with a skilled craftsperson in the area, you can take advantage of Ballarat’s long history of fine craftsmanship.
- Go to Lake Wendouree for the day
Take a walk around Lake Wendouree, which used to be a swamp but is now one of the best places to spend a sunny afternoon in Ballarat. In the 1850s, a botanic garden was built on the lake’s western shore. By the 1870s, the lake had two rowing clubs and pleasure boats, making it the place for recreation that it is today.
- Have a look around the Ballarat Botanic Gardens
The Ballarat Botanic Gardens are the oldest inland botanical gardens in Victoria. They are a beautiful place to spend some time. They are on the western side of Lake Wendouree and have many old trees and marble statues surrounded by flower beds.
- Go to the family-run Ballarat Wildlife Park to see the animals
The Ballarat Wildlife Park is home to many Australian animals as well as some strange ones. There are eight resident wombats, a colony of baby penguins, and free-roaming kangaroos, among other things. Maneki and Satu are two Sumatran tigers that live in the park. You can also choose to meet meerkats, koalas, and even an 80-year-old giant tortoise.
Have a great time in Ballarat while you take part in some of these things.