Ballarat is already a beloved tourist destination. The central Highlands city is one of Victoria’s biggest tourist hotspots thanks to its rich history pertaining to the gold rush. With many attractions harking back to yesteryear including Sovereign Hill and Kryal Castle, Ballarat is a thriving space for learning about Australia. But Ballarat has become so much more than its past.
In 2019, Ballarat was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in recognition of the centres’ contributions to the art sector, specifically in relation to the mediums of ceramics, textiles and placing First Nations people first on the retracing of lost skills. Additionally, the city has a growing gastronomy network where cultivating sustainable, local produce is key, and craft breweries and distilleries are king.
Ballarat has a lot on offer so let’s take you on a trip to the heart of gold.
Hotel Vera and Babae
710 Sturt Street
Hotel Vera is a contemporary and luxury stay right in the heart of Ballarat CBD. A restored historic medical building, Hotel Vera boasts seven personalised suites curated to blend heritage with modern elevation. From the masterminds behind Hotel Ernest in Bendigo, the concept of Hotel Vera is to offer comfort as complemented by a rich artistic credence. Housed inside the sustainable sanctuary stay is tranquil provenance-driven fine dining experience Babae. The chef hatted restaurant led by acclaimed culinary director Tim Foster adds to the prestige of the stay.
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The Glut Farm
43 The Glut Road, Raglan
This contemporary farmhouse is a beautiful blend of comfort, luxury and sustainability. The Glut Farm is a working lifestyle farm focused on sustainable practices and ethical production. The farm features ethically-raised chickens, extensive harvest garden, mixed orchard, Grenache vineyard, worm farm, greenhouse, glasshouse, preserving, three dams, five rainwater tanks and 7.5kW solar system whilst the uniquely positioned property offers 360 views of Mt Cole and Mt Lonarch from all rooms. It’s a tranquil stay not far from the Ballarat township.
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A Place To Stay
713 Eyre Street
Taking a leaf from the Airbnb model, A Place To Stay offers self-contained, furnished houses and cottages in Central Ballarat for short and long-stay visits. With eleven properties in their portfolio, A Place To Stay is ideal for those wanting the comfort and convenience of a house, less the cleaning requirements of an Airbnb arrangement. The charming stays are available in a variety of sizes to suit family needs.
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Mr Jones
42 – 44 Main Road
A slow Asian fine dining restaurant in the heart of Ballarat, Mr Jones taps into the intense tastes of the modern palette. The acclaimed restaurant is driven by namesake career Chef, Damien Jones, who brings a culmination of experience from Michelin starred restaurants in London, Nahm, and the former incarnation of Catfish Thai to create a dining experience intended to share.
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Pancho
213 Mair Street
Fun, exciting, and accessible, Pancho provides for the Latin American appetite in the Ballarat CBD. Think skewered meats, tacos, spicy cocktails and food for the fingers all with an explosion of Central and South American flavours. A vibrant pink interior add to the allure, making Pancho as a priority foodie option.
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The Green House
5c/20 Elizabeth Street, Delacombe
Branded Ballarat’s ‘Hidden Jungle’, The Green House lives up to its name. Combining indoor and outdoor plants with a cafe and bar, this warehouse space is all about feeding the earth and the bellies. Go for the coffee and leave with a plant! They also host regular creative workshops in the space as well to help develop those green thumbs.
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Kank Wolverang Records
30 Main Road, Bakery Hill
Sometimes the smaller the shop the better the selection – that happens to be the case with Kank Wolverang Records. A dedicated music shop and coffee house, Kank focuses on curating a collection of records that they know their quirky community will love. Top points if you have some solid music knowledge as owners Dan Kalken and Hap Hayward are longtime musicians and have a wealth of music memories in their vault.
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Vintage 216
216 Skipton Street, Ballarat
There’s vintage stores and then there is Vintage 216. Vintage 216 is a specialty vintage boutique that stocks exquisite antique and vintage pieces from yesteryear. With a keen eye for homewares and farmhouse gardenalia, their pieces are not your used and rusted relics, rather cherished collectables set to elevate interiors.
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Her Majesty’s Theatre
17 Lydiard Street South
As Australia’s oldest continuously operating live theatre venue, hosting touring and local productions, Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat is in itself a marvel. The stunning setting reopened last year, maintaining its gloriously renovated double-balconied auditorium, and placing a program of exciting live music, theatre, comedy and local performances on the state-of-the-art stage.
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Volta
15 Field Street, Ballarat
Formerly the site of the beloved Karova Lounge, Field Street’s favourite live music venue came back to life as Volta in 2020. Dedicated to bringing the best touring acts to the regional centre, as well as providing a space for emerging artists to shred, Volta is always electrified with live music.
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Art Space Ballarat
14 Lydiard St N, Ballarat
Uplifting the local Ballarat creative scene and leaning into their UNESCO Creative City title, Art Space Ballarat is a dedicated exhibition space and gallery for local arts makers to showcase their works. With a changeover of every six weeks, the space is continually occupied by new artists, makers and performers.
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Ballarat Wildlife Park
250 Fussell Street, Ballarat East
Get up and close with Australia’s native and introduced animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park. This family-owned park for conservation and recreation boasts over 100 free-roaming kangaroos that you can hand-feed, more than 35 koalas, plus wombats, emus, an exhibit of the world’s smallest penguins, along with Kai and Akasha, the Sumatran/Siberian tigers, and one of the biggest crocodiles in Australia, ‘CRUNCH’ the Super-Croc.
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Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa
613 Main Rd, Ballarat
Set inside the serene gardens of the Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre is one of the most relaxing and restorative experiences in the region. Enter Ballarat Sanctuary Day Spa – the ultimate de-stresser and pamper paradise. Comprising six luxury treatment rooms including two dual suites, private bathing, a floating pedicure lounge, relaxation lounge with open fireplace, and The Sanctuary with sauna and heated hydrotherapy pool, this is wellness not only done well, but worth the trip!
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Hop Lane
Armstrong Street North, Ballarat
One of the most magical experiences in Ballarat is Hop Lane. Taking cues from Mary Poppins, floating vibrant umbrellas line the laneway overhead, tunnelling you towards bars Roy Hammond and Hop Temple and the Travis Price mural of Hop Queen. The year-long display is periodically changed to new coloured canopies, begging you to return to the region over and over again!
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Ballarat is bursting with attractions, experiences, and indulgences making it a mighty centre to escape to.
Continue exploring the region here.
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