Ballarat City offers a range of experiences for a stay: gardens and trails, gold rush and social history, and public art and craft. When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to first decide which themes will shape your trip. The experiences also vary in format—from walking tracks to guided activities.
Lake Wendouree, Gardens and Nature
Lake Wendouree is in central Ballarat, next to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and close to Victoria Park. The six-kilometre Steve Moneghetti Walking Track runs around the lake. The North Garden Wetlands provide habitat for local wildlife and plants, and are a place to observe birds and rakali.
The Ballarat Tramway Museum offers a three-kilometre return trip on the original 1887 tram route, which runs along the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and Lake Wendouree. The two distances represent different activity formats: walking the six-kilometre track and taking the three-kilometre tram ride there and back. Volunteers from the Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens offer guided walks and tours, sharing highlights and the stories behind the historic gardens.
Eureka and Gold Rush History
At Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, significant trees, interpretive signs and monuments commemorate the people involved in the Eureka Stockade. The park is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register; it was added to the National Heritage List on 3 December 2004. The Eureka Centre explores the social history and cultural impact of the Victorian gold rush and houses the Eureka Flag.
The two Eureka sites have different focuses: the Memorial Park commemorates those involved through its trees, signs and monuments; the Centre explores the social and cultural impact of the gold rush and houses the flag.
The Eureka Centre’s education programs are for students and teachers. They give participants the opportunity to see the original Eureka Flag and include practical, guided and independent activities. Program details may change; check them when making specific plans.
Mine Tours, Horticulture and Art
Sovereign Hill’s guided mine tours are designed for children and adults. Access underground is via an inclined tramway; the fully guided experience lasts 45 minutes. Admission to Sovereign Hill also includes gold panning and self-guided tours of the Red Hill Mine. This means visitors can choose between a timed guided tour and self-guided mine tours.
The Ballarat Begonia Festival is a horticultural event centred on a rare begonia collection. Ballarat is home to more than 120 public artworks. The city presents its Public Art Collection as an outdoor gallery, with works on permanent display. Another way to experience culture is the Rare Trades Centre, which offers hands-on workshops and courses in contemporary craft and trade practices that have grown out of historic or traditional trades.
Discover more destinations: Bunkers Hill, East Gippsland Shire, Monash City, Maribyrnong City, Mansfield Shire, Surf Coast Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, Latrobe City.
For the main travel overview: Victoria.
