Ballarat is a cultural city that offers a diverse range of experiences, including a diverse culinary experience, craft beer, award-winning wineries, historic and contemporary art, heritage architecture, and beautiful parklands. Although Ballarat’s history is still one of its most compelling selling points, the city also has a lot more to offer. There are a number of exciting festivals and events held throughout the year in this flourishing regional center. This blog will tell you about the best things to do and places to visit in Ballarat.

Highly recommended cafes in Ballarat

In any one of the region’s many cafes, you can choose from a wide variety of locally sourced, farm-fresh dishes and local wines made from grapes grown in the region to accompany your meal. Grillers Mark Cafe is a top-rated cafe in the Ballarat area that is renowned for the quality of the burgers and grilled meats that it serves. It is guaranteed that eating one of their beef, veggie, or chicken burgers will be the most delicious thing you do all day. A selection of grilled meats and steaks is available, each of which is delicious and will satisfy your hunger. On their breakfast menu, they have everything you could ever want in a meal for first thing in the morning. On their drink menu, you’ll be able to find the perfect beverage to complement your meal and round out your experience there. Oh, but that’s not it! If you are the owner of a pet, you will be happy to know that they also offer delectable options for your furry friend.

A historic setting

Ballarat is renowned for offering visitors modern amenities against a backdrop of history. The city’s main streets, Sturt Street and Lydiard Street are home to magnificent historic streetscapes and regal structures scattered with secret lanes. The iconic buildings and monuments from the 19th century are included in a variety of heritage walking tours. As an alternative, visitors can use Ballarat Revealed, a self-guided tour app, on their smartphones, tablets, and computers to learn about the people, places, and industries that have helped shape Ballarat into what it is today.

Fun for the whole family

Family-friendly tourist destinations abound in Ballarat, including Sovereign Hill, Australia’s top outdoor museum. With gold-panning, mine tours, live performances, and other activities, the multi-award-winning tourist destination offers a thorough look into 19th-century life during the gold rush era. Koalas, kangaroos, and reptiles can be seen up close at Ballarat Wildlife Park, and Kryal Castle, one of Australia’s only mediaeval theme parks, is close by. The Museum of Australian Democracy in Eureka has fascinating exhibits and interactive features for those who want a history lesson on Australia. Children can pet alpacas at the award-winning Creswick Woollen Mills outside of town, while adults can relax with a coffee and shop the opulent clothing at the Mill store.

Parks everywhere

In addition to the magnificent colonial architecture and historical tours, Ballarat is home to some of Victoria’s most beautiful parklands, lakes, and gardens. The Ballarat Botanical Gardens and the famous Lake Wendouree in the city centre are great locations for a stroll and a park picnic. While Gong Gong is home to a wide variety of native flora and fauna, Kirks Reservoir offers the opportunity to explore a secret garden.

Many forms of culture and art

Ballarat is a cosmopolitan city that is rich in arts and culture. From historical to contemporary art, there is something for every culture vulture. The Art Gallery of Ballarat is the oldest and biggest regional art gallery in Australia. It houses contemporary and indigenous art collections in addition to a permanent collection of historical and colonial fine art. In a Masonic lodge from the 19th century, the Lost One’s Gallery exhibits modern art, and the Post Office Gallery features the creations of up-and-coming artists.

A calendar of holidays and events that run all year long

The city has a wide range of festivals and events, from ones about begonias and craft beer to ones about cycling and the arts. The Ballarat Begonia Festival, Heritage Month, Ballarat Winterlude, and the Ballarat International Foto Biennale will all happen soon after the dusk until dawn celebration. 

Please give us a call at the number (03) 5332 2650 to make reservations at Grillers Mark Cafe.