Sadly, some 4,000 POWs lie in unmarked graves. A living outdoor museum built on a former gold-mining site, today its a Ballarat icon: costumed characters and horse and carts populate a goldfields town full of shops, hotels, a theatre, schools, factories, a gold diggings and underground mines. Discover why Ballarat is renowned for its award-winning attractions and unique visitor experiences. Take a stroll around the lake. After watching the birds, you can head to the cafe to relish delicious food or go to the gift shop to buy yourself a souvenir. Tours. One cannot ignore the gorgeous Lal Lal Falls, which is also one of the best places to click in Ballarat. Discover for yourself why Ballarat is renowned for its award-winning attractions and unique visitor experiences. Wonderful examples of 19th century architecture. To spend a day here is a fun day with your family or friends. 2.) Besides Ballarats historical significance, dining in its world-famous country restaurants is one of the top things to do in Ballarat. Ballarat's best-known attraction, Sovereign Hill is an epic living museum that has meticulously recreated life on the gold diggings in the 1850s. Wander through the beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens on the western side of Lake Wendouree: regional Victorias oldest inland botanic gardens is a medley of mature trees and marble statues set within colourful flowerbeds. Top Things to Do in Ballarat, Australia: See Tripadvisor's 43,633 traveller reviews and photos of Ballarat tourist attractions. Ballarat Indoor Go Karts 13 Game & Entertainment Centres Open now By aussietravel1977 Such great fun. Finally,Aurais a recently launched and enjoyable experience for tourists. See all Grampians National Park Small-Group Eco Tour from Melbourne 219 Bus Tours from $99.36 per adult Private Ballarat and Sovereign Hill Tour from Melbourne 1 Full-day Tours from $515.66 per adult (price varies by group size) 3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour from Melbourne 1 It's name was given by George Riggins, a young miner from Australia, who proposed the town be named after the Australian gold mining town. Meet Maneki and Satu, the parks resident Sumatran tigers, and choose from a number of animal encounters with meerkats, koalas and even a giant tortoise whos over 80 years old. If you're wanting insider knowledge on where to eat, drink, stay, play, shop and explore in Ballarat, you've come to the right place. 1. Have you done a lot of sightseeing and just want to relax for a bit now? Surprisingly this was my first visit inside, so very interested to check it out and discovered that some of the Bishops from my youth were buried there, I didn't know that. You'll love the conservatory display showcasing seasonal displays, prime minister avenue displaying bronze portraits, and the statuary pavilion. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in February. Also, there are a lot of tours available. For shopping, the Art Gallery of Ballarat offers a gift shop with products ranging from art books and local crafters. 6. 12 Shares. Cafe was very good too. Want to get your spirits up at one of the best wineries in all of Ballarat? Ballarat Tramway Museum 192 Speciality Museums By MrDavetheSarks Good value, and good information as well. Enter dates. This city is only a 90 minutes drive away from Melbourne and is great for you to just relax and rejuvenate. In Ballarat, Carboni's Italian Kitchen offers genuine Italian hospitality. One can make their list using our list of top 10 fun things to do in Ballarat this weekend. There are restaurants and bars nearby where guests may drop by. This light and sound show unfolds through hundreds of projections that follow the story of gold from its very beginnings, incorporating the Wadawurrung creation story, right up until the current day. Unfortunately visited on a rainy day in Ballarat. March - Harmony Fest (Ballarat) A jam-packed 10 days of fun, flavour, music, film and special events celebrating Ballarat . The park houses about 400 species of animals. Worth a visit, especially if you don't know much about the history. Also, there are a lot of unknown wildlife species along with some of the exotic migratory birds nesting right here. If you are someone who does not know how to use a telescope properly- the staff here is quite friendly and helpful! Kudos to the volunteers who work there. Spend a Day with Australia's Cutest Animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park 4. 5. Finally,Sovereign Hillis where your heritage tour should end. Right now, Sovereign Hill has become an iconic place due to the variety of things to do in Ballarat it offers. Located on the banks of lovely Lake Wendouree, and just across the road from the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, lies the Lake Wendouree Adventure Playground. If you want to learn more about the art and culture of Ballarat, just head over to the Post Office Gallery as it is filled with some of the finest pieces that are hung up on its walls. Did some looking at the various ways the people of Ballarat have honoured their war heroes and veterans the arch and tree lined avenue is beautiful. It also houses one of the most revered cultural artifacts of Australia for you to see, the Eureka flag. The museum also has a tram that takes you on the tour of the mines. This handsome memorial pays tribute to all those men and women who were held captive, since the Boer War. The Eureka Centre portrays the stories of the people who risked their lives for miners rights and shows the cultural impact of the gold rush. Watch out for . It portrays the first 10 years of Ballarat after gold was discovered there in 1851. Cuddle a koala at Ballarat Wildlife Park. Since it offers picturesque scenery, spending time in the lake is one of the best things to do in Ballarat during sunsets, especially with your loved one. You can enjoy the Australian art and culture at the gallery in a very relaxed and peaceful environment. This Saturday, 4th March, 12:00 pm, Guf Ballarat One Piece OP-02 Paramount War Pre-Release in Ballarat. Come here to experience the traditional tramway experience that once existed on the streets of Ballarat. The water splash park is the main attraction of this place along with the other tit-bits. The castle has a lot of activities for you to do. For starters- the Prime Ministers Walk is located in the premium location of the Botanical Gardens of Ballarat. There are also a lot of exhibitions that are always going on in the gallery. From the very swish to the very old, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing accommodation in Ballarat. Itineraries. The gallery has one of the best regional collections in the country. 12 Fun Things to Do in Bendigo (+ Free Activities), 12 Spectacular & Fun Things to Do in Noosa Heads Everything You Need to Know for a Memorable Trip. And at just an hour-and-a-half's drive from Melbourne, Ballarat makes the perfect short break destination. Due to this, many tourists have come to taste the delicious wines and even buy some! Free Attractions Making sure it's a good place to work with a good culture.". Located in central Ballarat next to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, the lake offers many recreational activities. The Art Gallery of Ballarat is Australias oldest and largest regional gallery. During an exciting winter weekend trip this year, Ballarat really did prove to be a worthwhile travel destination in Victoria. Toilets are clean and accessible easily. See all Grampians National Park Small-Group Eco Tour from Melbourne 219 Bus Tours from $161.90 per adult Private Ballarat and Sovereign Hill Tour from Melbourne 1 Full-day Tours from $840.21 per adult (price varies by group size) 3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour from Melbourne 1 You can find some amazing vintage pieces in the independent boutiques down any lane. Find out why Ballarat is the culinary capital of . Book your hotel and flights, get those bags packed and get ready to explore this vibrant city. It's free as well! They have many animal encounters, I didnt have time to do but next time I will be! Another of Ballarats truly grand heritage buildings, the Art Gallery of Ballarat is, in fact, Australias oldest and largest regional gallery. Lake Esmond Botanical Park is one of the top tourist attractions in all of Ballarat when it comes to finding a peaceful location to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.The best part of this park is the amazing lake. Ballarats art forms are world-renowned, causing tourists to learn how to get the citys stunning craftsmanship. The quickest way to meet compatible people in Ballarat for free is to use an app like We3. Sovereign Hill is an open-air museum in Golden Point, Ballarat. From group Ballarat tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 5 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. Well, here at Michael Unwin Wines- there are some of the best things that will help you unwind yourself. This gorgeous property will take care of everything you may need during your stay. Our favorite thing to do here is to relax at theYacht Clubwhile admiring the exquisite views of Lake Wendouree. The top attractions to visit in Ballarat are: The best outdoor activities in Ballarat according to Tripadvisor travelers are: The best day trips from Ballarat according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Enjoyable to wander round and look at the. To begin with, this outdoor museum got built on the actual gold-mining site used during that time. You can even go wine tasting if you want. Moreover, visitors can snap selfies with majestic knights mounted on horses, take sword fighting and archery lessons, or participate in arts and crafts classes. Strike gold at this open-air museum, which tells the story of Ballarats first decade as a gold rush town with recreated buildings, goldmine tours and workshops. Best things to do in Ballarat Are you into aircrafts and airplanes? Combined with a trip to the Botanic Gardens and Lake Wendourie, it's easy to spend half a day in this appealing area. The Ballarat Botanical Gardens Reserve is a fantastic place for the whole family The Garden is 40 hectares and is divided into multiple zones - the central part with 'gardenesque' style, the area alongside Lake Wendouree as the Lake foreshore precinct, open parklands on either side of the garden called North and South Gardens. It is placed in the north of Ballarat, and children love this park! Ballarat is a perfect mix of contemporary and old-fashioned. Lydiard Streetis the best way to kick-start your heritage tour of Ballarat. You can also dress-up and take photographs with your friends in the old-timey photography studio. Reservations open on the first day of each month and get snapped up quickly. Sovereign hills are known an original mining site with shops, theaters, hotels, gold diggings and factories to explore. The vibrant colors will calm your heart as you complete your list of things to do in Ballarat. The railway station showcases the architectural and historical magnificence of Ballarat. 7. Well, those scenes are the best in Bridge Mall. You can eat at the cafes while enjoying the beautiful view of the lake or you can have fun canoeing, kayaking and sailing the lake. Spend a day at Sovereign Hill. Eureka Gardens playground 9. Lydiard Street also features in ABC television series, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, which is set in Ballarat. Ballarat Tramway Museum Travel back in time through the beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens alongside Lake Wendouree. Ballarat has a good bus service, the Visitor Information Centre can provide timetables and maps. Well worth the hour or so to go through. This Ballarat travel guide will outline some amazing places I got to experience, with even more possibility in the surrounding areas as well. If you want to experience something entirely different and unique in Ballarat- then you must venture to the Gold Museum. You can do so by catching a sunset at Lake Wendouree, listening to live music, eating outdoors, and many more. The Ballarat Wildlife Park strives to give the best interactive experience with some of Australia's most unique animals. See all this and more at Ballarat Wildlife Park, featuring a range of beloved Australian animals like kangaroos and saltwater crocodiles amongst Sumatran tigers, friendly meerkats, giant tortoises and even a Komodo Dragon. Welcome to the Post Office Gallery in Ballarat. Lydiard Street. While you go on a run, you shall be surrounded by plenty of wildflowers. You can visit the depot to inspect the fleet and a trove of tram memorabilia before climbing aboard for a 20-minute ride through the Botanical Gardens. Thousands of peasants and laborers traveled miles to Ballarat to make a living. Also, the interior is charmingly decorated. Yorkdale Estate Central Park Furthermore, the Eureka Center enlightens visitors about the iconic Eureka Stockade. A 20-minute ride, it journeys through the gardens and alongside Lake Wendouree. However, both times were as a day trip from Melbourne.This is a shame as Ballarat has more to offer than Sovereign Hill and it is a great place for a short, easy trip. Whats the point of visiting an Australian city and not tasting its delectable wine? Ballarat Bird World is an enjoyable and economical way for bird lovers to spend their day. Pan for gold at the iconic Sovereign Hill, indulge in some retail therapy, explore the great outdoors, or wander through Australia's oldest regional gallery. is $5/adult or $2/child and took like 30min including lots of information about Ballarat's tram history. Nice to look around other trams too. Look out for his wines served at the best spots in town, including Mitchell Harris Wine Bar, which as well as producing its own wines acts as a cellar door for the region and hosts tastings and other events.