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Ballarat

Ballarat, Victoria's largest inland city, blends its extraordinary past with an exciting present. Gold laid the foundations of Ballarat and yielded majestic architecture and wide tree-lined streets still evident today. Ballarat is a city that invites you to stay a while, explore its rich history and heritage, nearby natural attractions and make the most of the friendly, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Activities and attractions:
- Visit stylish cafes in Sturt Street, listen to live music in the pubs and indulge in restaurants by Lake Wendouree. The lake is also home to Ballarat's impressive Botanical Gardens and an avenue of bronze busts depicting past and present prime ministers.
- Visit the Mining Exchange, where troopers gathered in 1854 before setting off to quell a revolt by miners at the Eureka Stockade
- Try panning for gold or just take time out and speak with the storekeepers and miners at Sovereign Hill, where the lives and times of a typical gold mining settlement has been re-created
- Take a self-guided heritage walk or drive around town
- Visit the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Australia's oldest and largest regional gallery, and home to the original Eureka flag. Join a tour and view the wide ranging collection covering Australian art, from colonial to contemporary, including material from the Heidelberg School
- Take a drive along the Great Grape Road and taste the region's award-winning wines.

In the Directory

• Accommodation [1]

Photos

Ballarat Township - Photo Courtesy of Tourism VIC

Conservatory - Ballarat Botanic Gardens - Photo courtesy of Tourism VIC

Ballarat Botanic Gardens - Photo Courtesy of Tourism VIC

Getting There

Ballarat is just under 1.5 hours from Melbourne via the Western Freeway. Daily rail and coach services are available from Melbourne.