Get deliciously hands-on / Ballarat’s Best Pie Ballarat International Foto Biennale is back – say cheese! Visit Ballarat on a budget / What’s on & much more
Acknowledgement of Country
Across Victoria’s Midwest, we acknowledge that we travel across the ancient landscapes of many First Peoples communities.
These lands have been nurtured and cared for over tens of thousands of years and we respect the work of Traditional Custodians for their ongoing care and protection.
We recognise the past injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in this country. As our knowledge grows, we hope that we can learn from their resilience and creativity that has guided them for over 60,000 years.
As we invite people to visit and explore Victoria’s Midwest, we ask that alongside us, you also grow to respect the stories, living culture and connection to Country of the Ancestors and Elders of our First Peoples.
Ballarat crackles with energy. Creativity flows through it. It’s a place where the past and present collide to serve up moments of unexpected brilliance at every turn.
Taste flavours that’ll have you thinking you’re at a hawker market in Asia or a Michelin-starred NYC icon. Wonder at architecture that transports you into a bygone era. Be transfixed by works from a British-Ghanaian fashion photographer – whose lens has captured the likes of Beyonce, Meghan Markle and Tyler, The Creator – at one of Australia’s leading photography festivals.
And that’s barely scratching the surface.
Challenge what you think you know about Ballarat, there’s plenty here that will surprise and inspire you – we promise.
An intimate love letter to the world
Michelle Obama. Surrealist Swedish landscapes. The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. A camp love letter to the Australian suburbs. Vladimir Putin. A giant inflatable golden monkey.
These are just some of the subjects – both figuratively and literally – that have been part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale lineup over the past two decades. They’ve graced gallery spaces, laneway walls and, in the case of our golden friend, sat high above the CBD on a heritage facade. And with this year’s 11th edition, the celebrated photography festival shows no sign of slowing down.
Headlining the 2025 event is renowned BritishGhanaian fashion photographer and artist Campbell Addy. In an Australian exclusive, Addy’s major solo exhibition I Campbell will be front and centre. It will include a newly conceived set of photographs, original paintings and a short film shot on location in Ghana.
Born in London, Addy’s culturally diverse upbringing inspired and informed his discovery of self and his unique eye. As a Black, queer, ex-Jehovah’s Witness, Addy grew up in a hyper
Woman in Drapery by Jawara, Campbell Addy, 2023
Bored in Ballarat? Yeah, nah.
You should totally expect the unexpected in Ballarat. Here’s just a few surprising moments you’ll uncover...
1 Tigers and crocodiles in Ballarat? Oh my!
Stride on into the Ballarat Wildlife Park to see Sumatran/Siberian tigers Kai and Akasha in their stateof-the-art sanctuary.
And don’t miss feeding time with one of Australia’s biggest crocodiles, Crunch the five-metre-long saltwater croc.
If cute and cuddly is more your thing, sign up for an animal encounter with a snuggly koala, curious tree kangaroo or a cheeky family of meerkats.
2 A taste of Spain without getting on a plane
Buckle up and prepare for landing at Meigas
There ain’t no time for siestas when you’ve got authentic Spanish classics and spirited flamenco dancing on the menu.
Whether you’re all about the paella, patatas bravas or pinchos morunos, you’ll swear you’ve been transported to a trendy tapas bar in Barcelona.
3 Make your own medieval armour (yes, you read that right!)
Ever wanted to make your own jewellery, learn traditional weaving or go full medieval and craft your own armour?
Learn something new while preserving something old with a hands-on workshop at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades
4 One for the true crime lovers
Cross to the dark side with Ballarat’s Eerie Tours
Experience a different kind of nightlife on a guided ghost tour, set against Ballarat’s Gothic-inspired architecture.
Or step up the scary factor with stories of death, disease and drama at the Ballarat Old Cemetery.
5 Go all out Rihanna and “stand under my umbrella” in Hop Lane.
Head to Hop Lane for this everchanging installation featuring a kaleidoscope of umbrellas which form a canopy between CBD bars Roy Hammond and Hop Temple
Their colours switch depending on the season so, one day, the umbrellas could be red and white but next time you’re in town, they might be black, yellow and red.
Whatever the season, no matter the reason, you’ll always find something unexpected in Ballarat.
Meigas. Image: Einwick
Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades. Image: Einwick
Ballarat Wildlife Park. Image: Einwick
Thrifty travel: Visit Ballarat on a budget
Money might be a bit tighter right now but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a well-earned break. Read on to find out how you can get more bang for your buck in Ballarat…
Getting around
You can travel by V/Line train to Ballarat from anywhere in Victoria for around $10 or less.
Once you’re here, there’s buses to big attractions like Sovereign Hill, the Ballarat Wildlife Park, Eureka Centre and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
You can also hire a Neuron e-scooter for quick trips around the city.
Things to do
Ballarat is chockers with free/cheap things to do.
For the creatively curious, check out some CBD galleries like Backspace Gallery, First Nations-owned and focussed Perridak Arts and neighbourhood gem The Old Butchers Shop Gallery. You can also take one of three guided back-of-house tours of Sovereign Hill’s Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections.
For the green (and not so green) thumbed, the free indoor display at the Robert Clark Conservatory in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens won’t disappoint. Grab a coffee from nearby Pipers by the Lake and take a stroll around
Lake Wendouree or the Ballarat Farmers Market on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. Also closeby is the Ballarat Tramway Museum, where you can go for a ride on a vintage tram.
There’s also free tours of the Ballarat Town Hall and the historic Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute plus free self-guided walking tours (maps available at the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre). Hidden Lanes’ guided walking tours are also great, uncovering quirky cafes, antique shops, historic tales, beautiful scenery and buildings.
Plus, pick up some secondhand treasures at the Ballarat Vintage and Collectables Market’s 80-plus stalls, or visit the Eureka Centre and admire one of Australia’s most compelling historic artefacts – the Eureka flag. Or try something a little bit different at Victoria Park’s 18-hole disc golf course (free disc hire available).
Lake Wendouree. Image: Safari Global
Where to stay
There’s accommodation deals to be had at various spots across the region.
RACV members stay for less at Creswick’s RACV Goldfields Resort Quest Ballarat Station and Quest Ballarat guests can join the Quest Online Advantage program. BIG4 Holiday Perks+ discounts are available for guests at BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park and NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park.
You can also make the most of freedom camping at Creswick’s Slaty Creek, Haddon Lions Park, Smythesdale Gardens Reserve, Happy Valley Crossing Reserve, and Enfield’s Surface Point.
Places to eat
There are loads of places to fill your belly in Ballarat for under $20.
Just some of our favs include 1816 Bakehouse, Cobb’s Coffee, Carboni’s Next Door, Lydiard General, Pat’s Sandwiches, Saigon Allee, Shep St Sandos, Saigon Noodle House, Kosaten and, for a sweet treat, head to Il Piccolo Gelato or The Little Cupcake
Deals & offers
Spas and bars, wining and dining, rooms and views – there’s always a great deal to be had in Ballarat. Scan to check out what’s on offer across the region.
Ballarat Fernery. Image: Einwick
Ballarat Eerie Tours. Image: Einwick
Saigon Allee. Image: Bueno Design
Prep your pie-tinerary
Ballarat’s Best Pie is back and bigger than ever this winter with almost 40 pies vying for top honours.
Sweet and savoury options from the region’s best pubs, restaurants, cafes and bakeries will battle it out in a range of categories including the all-new Brilliantly Unexpected Pie.
You can also have your say with the People’s Choice Pie. With entries like the chicken enchilada pie, the eggs benny pie (hello, hangover remedy!) and the limoncello meringue pie, the one thing you can expect is to have to make some delicious – but difficult – decisions!
August 1–31 ballaratsbestpie.com.au
Scan to find out more (try not to drool)
Hop Temple’s mouth-watering entry. Image: Chris McConville
Can’t decide? We’ve got you!
From eating and drinking to wandering and wondering, be inspired by our brilliantly intriguing itineraries. Here’s one to get you started...
Special getaway for two 106km | 3 days
Grab your favourite person for a rel-action* packed getaway in Ballarat
*relaxing and action packed…we may have made it up!
DAY ONE
1 Arrive in Ballarat and check into your swanky digs
Hotel Vera is set in an almost obsessively-restored heritage building that once served as a surgeon’s quarters. Modern luxury blends with elegant historical charm, with the distinct style of each of the hotel’s seven suites inspired by nearby goldfields’ townships.
2 Get into the good stuff with a gin tasting at Itinerant Spirits
Dedicated to the craft of distilling, Itinerant Spirits perfects its recipes to share with you during masterclasses right in the heart of Ballarat.
3 Dinner at Mr Jones
Chef hatted Mr Jones is quality relaxed Asian dining by chef Damien Jones and brings together his experience from Michelinstarred Nahm in London and his former hatted Ballarat restaurant, Catfish Thai.
Check out more brilliantly inspiring itineraries at visitballarat.com.au or by scanning the QR code.
DAY TWO
4 Breakfast at Hotel Vera
Breakfast at Hotel Vera is a hyperlocal continental affair and includes offerings from some of Ballarat’s brilliant producers.
5 Luxuriate at the internationallyacclaimed Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa
Make your way to Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa for some serious pampering. From high performance facials to massages and body treatments, you’ll soon emerge ready to take on the world.
6 Lunch at Drive Cafe
Grab a seat outside the supercool Drive Cafe, which started out as a service station and still has nods to this past life. Drive offers a hearty breakfast menu plus more substantial offerings for lunch like fried chicken burgers and pastrami bagels.
7 Un-wine-d with a tasting at Eastern Peake
Just 25 minutes north-west of Ballarat, young gun winemaker Owen Latta continues in his parent’s footsteps making quality wines under the Eastern Peake and, more recently, LATTA Vino labels. Taste from the current range or opt for a selection from the cellar with a museum tasting.
8 Dinner at hatted restaurant Babae
There’s nothing better than dining in a cracking restaurant without leaving your hotel. Intimate fine diner Babae at Hotel Vera delivers with an everchanging seasonal menu, creatively celebrating place, produce, flavour and technique in contemporary Australian cuisine.
DAY THREE
9 Brunch at Black Cat Truffles by Liam Downes
Just a short drive from Ballarat, this truffière and on-site restaurant has the distinction of being one of Australia’s few truffle farms to enjoy both a summer and winter harvest. Savour brunch in the garden and, if you’re in the mood, add a mimosa to make it a little more special.
10 Browse luxe leather goods made right here in Ballarat
Discover Ballarat’s proud boot making heritage at Wootten, where tradition meets craftsmanship. In the historic Gun Cotton Warehouse, skilled artisans handcraft boots, bags, belts and more with precision and passion. Tour the working factory, soak in the leather-rich atmosphere and find a pair of stylish boots made to be worn for generations.
11 Grab some goodies before heading home
Stop by Campana’s for top local drops, brews and produce. For authentic fresh pasta, Italian pantry items and smallgoods, head to Carboni’s Next Door Deli. For pastries, pies and more, swing past 1816 Bakehouse.
Babae. Image: Einwick
Hotel Vera. Image: Leon Schoots
Wootten. Image: Einwick
To infinity (well, Ballarat actually) and beyond!
When
you visit Ballarat, there’s a whole bunch of places to wander around, and wonder at, right on your doorstep.
5 Pyrenees cellar doors to ‘drop’ by Victoria’s Pyrenees wine region is home to some of the country’s top producers. Here’s five that are worth stopping by for a sip or three…
1 Dalwhinnie Wines
Near the small village of Moonambel, Dalwhinnie is where great wine meets jawdropping views. With nearly 50 years of winemaking history, Dalwhinnie is all about elegant, award-winning wines. Visitors can sample current release wines or more rare offerings with a cheese board or charcuterie platter.
2 Taltarni Winery & Vineyard
Established in 1969, Taltarni is one of the Pyrenees’ pioneering wineries. They craft exceptional still and sparkling wines, utilising innovative new-world techniques to highlight
the region’s unique terroir. Visitors can also enjoy live music sessions and tastings at the Moonambel cellar door.
3 Mrs Baker’s Still House
Veering slightly away from the winemaking the Pyrenees region is known for, microdistillery Mrs Baker’s Still House is located in picturesque Glenpatrick, about 50 minutes north-west of Ballarat. Jane Baker and her daughters, Elizabeth the distiller and Georgette the designer, have built an award-winning business which utilises low-impact production methods and a 100% solar-powered distillation process using locally-grown botanicals. They offer tours and tastings that give visitors an inside look at how these beautiful spirits are made.
4 Summerfield Winery
Summerfield Winery owner Mark Summerfield has extended his cellar door to include an expansive cafe with indoor/outdoor dining space for up to 80 guests. Mark raises his own pork and lamb, and fresh bread and pastries are also baked on site. On any given day, you might find Mark in the vineyard, making woodfired pizzas or baking in the kitchen, but he will always find time to talk to visitors about his beloved wines.
5 Wayward Winery
Just 30 minutes from Ballarat, Wayward Winery is the closest Pyrenees winery to the city. Nestled on a dormant volcano, it serves up epic vineyard views, top-notch local produce and fire-kissed dishes straight from a woodfired oven and Argentinian grill.
With stylish stays in a 1920s homestead (and tiny homes coming soon!), Wayward is perfect for long lunches, weddings and weekend getaways.
Summerfield Winery. Image: supplied
Mrs Baker’s Still House. Image: supplied
How to spend a day in historic Hepburn
When you think Hepburn, think good food, rich history and the great outdoors.
Start by grabbing something delicious at Creswick’s Le Peche Gourmand. This small French patisserie (or bakery to us less fancy folks!) crafts fresh bread and pastries using traditional methods. They source ingredients within a 100-mile radius, where possible, from producers including Salt Kitchen Charcuterie, Tuki Trout Farm, Powlett Hill, Inglenook Dairy, Buninyong Blueberry Farm and Millbrook Farm
Suitably fuelled up, it’s time for fresh air. For twowheeled action, the Djuwang Baring Creswick Trails offer 60km of mountain bike tracks with 70 segments winding through state forests and regional parks. Prefer a gentler wander? The La Gerche Forest Walk Loop is a scenic 2.2km trail among 100-year-old trees planted by Creswick’s first forest bailiff, John La Gerche.
For lunch—and even a bit of fishing—Tuki Restaurant delivers a true pond-to-plate experience. Named after the Tukidale sheep, this 1500-acre working farm has been run by the Jones family for over 170 years. Seasonal menus highlight the property’s best produce, enjoyed in a sunlit restaurant with breathtaking views.
Wrap up your Hepburn adventure with a stop at Creswick Woollen Mills. This award-winning, family-run business is home to Australia’s last coloured wool spinning mill. The A Very Fine Yarn exhibition takes you through the journey of natural fibres from source to final product. And don’t forget to browse the range of alpaca, cashmere, merino wool and even possum apparel!
Spotlight: Ross Creek
Spotlight: Ross Creek Gallery in Golden Plains
Ross Creek Gallery is the passion project of acclaimed Ballarat ceramicist Ruby Pilven and her mother, fellow artist Janine Ronaldson.
With their extensive experience in the arts, the pair opened Ross Creek Gallery to support local practitioners with the aim to “showcase emerging to established two-dimensional and three-dimensional artists”. The gallery features artworks by both Ruby and her mum, along with rotating exhibitions by local artists.
The current exhibition, The Master Potter: Peter Pilven (3 May - 8 June), is a retrospective celebrating the life and work of Ruby’s late father. A master potter and teacher for over 40 years, Peter practiced his craft for more than 50 years, creating a diverse body of work that spans various styles and techniques.
You’ll find Ross Creek Gallery nestled in serene bushland next to Ruby’s mudbrick studio on the outskirts of Ballarat.
