15 culture-steeped things to do in Ballarat

From enthralling portals into a bygone era to cutting-edge creativity, the best things to do in Ballarat are pure gold.

History is never far from your fingertips in Ballarat thanks to grand architecture instantly transporting you back to the heady days of the gold rush. But there’s a new energy pulsing through the wrought-iron-trimmed streets today as Victoria’s third-largest city undergoes a cultural renaissance. Experience its thriving dining scene, join a maker’s workshop, or lose yourself in surprising odes to the past — the most gratifying things to do in Ballarat are listed below.

1. Take a heritage walking tour

heritage buildings along Sturt, Ballarat — Discover heritage buildings along Sturt St. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Built on gold wealth, Ballarat was the wealthiest city in the world at one point during the 1850s and its wonderfully preserved heritage streetscape reflects this. Get to know the history of this gold-rush town by signing up for a walking tour with Hidden Lanes or take a Heritage self-guided one via Ballarat Revealed .

Learn about the beginnings of Ballarat from the corner of Sturt and Grenville streets and take in buildings ranging from the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute, which has been edifying and entertaining locals for more than 150 years, to sites including Ballarat’s very own Turkish Bath House – now a skate ramp.

2. Catch a performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat

the exterior of Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat — World-class acts are sure to enchant viewers at Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat. (Image: Michael Pham)

Whether you’re stirred by the theatre, awed by world-famous mentalists or craving a night out to the sound of live music, Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat is the place to let your hair down. Sitting ever-so-pretty as Australia’s oldest continuously operational live theatre (it opened in 1875), these spectacular bones play host to a revolving door of world-class acts. In 2025, Sarah Blasko will be enchanting audiences, as will the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s James Ehnes and a production of Kinky Boots. But no matter when you visit, the calibre of what’s on always impresses. Check the website regularly to tee your visit up with a dream show.

3. Indulge in me-time at Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa

Venture into the gardens of the Mercure Hotel to unearth Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa , a self-care destination you’ll struggle to part with. Enveloped in lush greenery, the facilities span six treatment rooms, a floating pedicure lounge, a relaxation lounge with an open fireplace (hello, romantic winter treat), a heated hydrotherapy pool and a sauna. It’s enough to get you there without a booked treatment but don’t miss the chance to pamper yourself with the spa’s impressive list of massages, body therapy and wraps, facials and beauty services.

4. Visit the Art Gallery of Ballarat

a look inside the Art Gallery of Ballarat — The Art Gallery of Ballarat is Australia’s oldest regional gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Another of Ballarat’s truly grand heritage buildings, the Art Gallery of Ballarat is, in fact, Australia’s oldest regional gallery. Opened in 1884, it boasts an impressive collection of Australian art history from the early colonial period to the present day. While the beloved attraction will be closed from March 3, 2025, for at least 18 months as it undergoes extensive renovations, the gallery’s permanent collection will be presented alongside touring and temporary exhibitions. Showcased throughout elegant 19th-century rooms and contemporary architectural additions (plus all-new plans, yet to be revealed), this is a Ballarat bucket list item. And, of course, the gift shop is great, too, selling art books and one-of-a-kind products by local artisans.

5. Take a trip back in time at Sovereign Hill

locals during 1850s Ballarat at Sovereign Hill — Travel back in time to the gold rush era. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Since 1970, Sovereign Hill has been telling the tale of life as it was in 1850s Ballarat, during the greatest shallow alluvial gold rush the world has ever seen. A living outdoor museum built on a former gold-mining site, today it’s a Ballarat icon: costumed characters and horse and carts populate a goldfields town full of shops, hotels, schools, factories, a gold diggings and underground mines.

Its immersive theatre experience, Aura, is a standout. The 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. Stay on site at the Sovereign Hill Hotel for the whole package.

6. Take a history lesson at the Eureka Centre Ballarat

two young boys with their father exploring the artefacts at the Eureka Centre Ballarat — Learn about the gold rush town through cultural artefacts. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Visit the Eureka Centre Ballarat to experience another important part of Australian history: the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade Rebellion and the home of the Eureka Flag – one of the nation’s most important cultural artefacts. Through art installations and digital technology, you’ll hear the stories of men and women who fought for miners’ rights and helped inform the development of modern democratic Australia, as well as learn about the cultural impact of the gold rush.

7. Lose yourself in a Ballarat festival

a performer wearing a costume at the Ballarat Begonia Festival — Join the vibrant and colourful Ballarat Begonia Festival. (Image: Supplied)

Ballarat hosts a roster of arts and cultural festivals, so time your visit accordingly. The Ballarat Begonia Festival , staged annually across the March long weekend, is exactly what it sounds like. You’ll gasp at the sheer volume of those delicate blooms — we’re talking thousands on display spanning more than 500 varieties — inside the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and find joy in the interactive workshops, roving entertainment and food trucks. Meanwhile, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale is another noteworthy consideration, presenting a showcase of photographic exhibitions, talks, workshops and events every two years in spring.

8. Take a foodie masterclass

a hand holding a glass of crafted gin at Kilderkin Distillery, Ballarat — Concoct your own gin with expert distillers at Kilderkin Distillery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Tap into Ballarat’s rich food culture by signing up for a hands-on workshop or masterclass. Kilderkin Distillery offers DIY gin classes with expert distillers and, at Aunty Jacks , you can learn how to brew your own craft beer. When your tummy starts to rumble, head on over to Italian ristorante Carboni’s for a fresh pasta masterclass or try one of Flying Chillies ‘ Indonesian and Malaysian cooking experiences.

9. Marvel in the Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades

women joining the SAORI Weaving Workshop with Prue Simmons — Sign up for the SAORI Weaving Workshop with Prue Simmons. (Image: Supplied)

Speaking of getting your hands dirty with the experts, carve out significant time to dabble in whatever’s going on at the Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades during your visit. An inspiring hub of imagination and cultural appreciation, the beloved attraction runs masterclasses, events and workshops to immerse visitors in the creative spirit of the region. 2025 will see 150 individual workshops led by 60 admired artists, so whether it’s silversmithing, dry stone walling, water colouring, wood turning or something else that lures you in, there’s fresh learning for everyone.

10. Sample Ballarat’s wine region

a man holding a wine bottle at Eastern Peake, Ballarat — Eastern Peake is a leader in boutique wines. (Image: Visit Victoria)

In addition to a flourishing dining scene, Ballarat is home to its own boutique wine region, which specialises in cold-climate wines like pinot noir, chardonnay and delicate sparklings, as well as riesling and shiraz.

Don’t miss a tasting at Latta Vino , 20 minutes north of town at Coghills Creek, where winemaker Owen Latta makes waves with his mostly natural creations. His old stomping ground, the nearby Eastern Peake , is also worthy of significant swilling as Owen perfected his craft on the winery still owned by his dad.

There’s also Wayward Winery , located about 30 minutes’ drive from the thick of town, which nails pinot noir, pinot gris, chardonnay and shiraz grapes: covering all good bases, really.

11. Discover unforgettable Ballarat dining experiences

Underbar is a 16-seat fine-dining restaurant — Head chef Derek Boath previously worked at New York’s three-Michelin-starred “Per Se".

So many standouts, so little time. Foodies will struggle to craft an itinerary that covers all the best restaurants in Ballarat — but it’s plenty fun trying. Underbar , located in an unassuming space with no sign at the door, is a superb 20-seat fine-dining restaurant serving a seasonal tasting menu shaped by the surrounds courtesy of chef Derek Boath. Reservations open on the first day of each month and get snapped up quickly.

Then there’s the talk of town in early 2025, Babae , fixed firmly on shining a light on the most exceptional regional produce and ingredients. You’ll find it lighting up the already stunning Hotel Vera on Sturt St, one of Ballarat’s best accommodation picks.

12. Spend an afternoon at Lake Wendouree

boats lined up at Lake Wendouree, Ballarat — Admire the quaint and historic Lake Wendouree boat sheds. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Take a walk around Ballarat’s picturesque Lake Wendouree, originally a swamp and now one of the nicest ways to spend a sunny afternoon. After a botanic garden was laid out on its western shore in the 1850s, the lake itself saw a transformation and by the 1870s, it had two rowing clubs and pleasure craft to recommend it as the recreational hub it remains to this day.

Have a casual bite at The Yacht Club , admire the quaint and historic Lake Wendouree boat sheds and then take to the water for a trip back in time onboard the replica Golden City Paddle Steamer . This 45-minute cruise takes in scenic views and the history of the lake during the warmer months.

13. Explore Ballarat Botanical Gardens

a couple walking along Ballarat Botanical Gardens — Stroll along colourful flowerbeds at Ballarat Botanical Gardens. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Wander through the beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens on the western side of Lake Wendouree. Regional Victoria’s oldest inland botanic gardens is a medley of mature trees and marble statues set within colourful flowerbeds. Covering 40 hectares, it’s also home to the Robert Clark Conservatory, a striking modern build harbouring an oasis of seasonal displays that’s a hub for that Ballarat Begonia Festival we discussed earlier.

The gardens are also home to the Ballarat Tramway Museum , one of the best Ballarat things to experience with kids, which invites you to ride in one of the 100-year-old trams that provided Ballarat’s public transport until 1971. A 20-minute ride, it journeys through the gardens and alongside Lake Wendouree.

14. Sample farm-to fork specialities at Tuki Restaurant

dining at Tuki Restaurant, Ballarat — Taste the paddock-to-plate offerings at Tuki Restaurant.

Whether you’re an avid fisher or not, a trip to Tuki offers a unique experience, just 40 minutes from Ballarat and set at the end of an unsealed road on top of a hill with verdant valley views.

The ponds here are stocked with rainbow trouts and visitors are guaranteed a catch, but there’s also a fine-dining restaurant to prioritise. Dishes include such pond- and paddock-to-plate offerings, including its famed trout done with the likes of fennel, orange and native ingredients, and we highly recommend letting the experts steer your journey by diving into a five-course tasting menu.

15. Meet true locals at Ballarat Wildlife Park

a meerkat at Ballarat Wildlife Park — Have a close encounter with a meerkat. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Family-run Ballarat Wildlife Park is home to a large variety of native Australian animals and other far-flung creatures, including free-roaming kangaroos, wombats and a colony of little penguins. Meet Kai and his little sister Akasha, the park’s resident Sumatran tigers, and choose from several animal encounters with meerkats, koalas and even a giant tortoise who’s over 80 years old.

Discover the best things to do in Ballarat

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding.

You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.

1. Lake Tyrrell

Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell , is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.

2. Nhill Lake

There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.

3. Lake Bringalbert

Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.

4. Lake Hindmarsh

If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh . Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.

5. Pink Lake

Also known as Loch Lel , the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland.

6. Lake Lascelles

On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake , or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.