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Win a $5270 3-night luxury Ballarat getaway

Here’s your chance to win a luxurious three-night getaway in historic Ballarat.

Entries close at 11.59pm AEDT on 8 February 2026

Discover the elegance of Ballarat with a three-night indulgent getaway — worth up to $5270! Enter now for your chance to discover this brilliantly unexpected destination. Where the past, present, culture and creativity collide.

Read the general competition terms and conditions before you enter.

What’s included?

The elegant green interiors of Hotel Vera set the tone for a luxurious stay included in the Ballarat Giveaway.
Discover modern luxury during your three-night stay at Hotel Vera. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
  • $1600 voucher for a three-night stay at luxe Hotel Vera, including daily breakfast and a dinner at Babae, the hatted onsite restaurant
  • $700 voucher for a Signature Spa Journey for two at the acclaimed Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa
  • $620 voucher for a long lunch at Black Cat Truffles, including a Meredith Wines tasting and transport in a beautiful 1974 Rolls-Royce with Silver Mink Tours
  • $250 voucher for iconic hatted restaurant Mr Jones
  • $200 voucher for Johnny Alloo cafe
  • $200 voucher for dinner at speakeasy-style Grainery Lane
  • $1200 Webjet voucher for flights and $500 Rentacar voucher

About the prize

A serene moment at Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa, part of the indulgent experiences in the Ballarat Giveaway.
Relax and recharge at the acclaimed Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa. (Credit: Einwick)

Today, Ballarat is a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art and a thriving regional centre filled with charm, energy and originality. From eclectic architecture to world-class arts and culture, vibrant artisanal offerings to a lively restaurant and bar scene, there’s truly something for everyone. Open your mind to Ballarat – it will create unexpected moments and uplifting experiences for every visitor.

Enjoy the ultimate indulgence with a $5,270 prize package featuring the very best of Ballarat’s fine dining, relaxation and boutique charm.

Stay in style with a $1,600 voucher for a three-night escape at the luxurious Hotel Vera, complete with daily breakfast and dinner at its hatted restaurant Babae. Unwind with a $700 Signature Spa Journey for two at the acclaimed Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa, then savour a gourmet long lunch at Black Cat Truffles, including a Meredith Wines tasting and private transport in a 1974 Rolls Royce courtesy of Silver Mink Tours.

Continue your culinary adventure with a $250 voucher for the iconic hatted Mr Jones, a $200 voucher for the stylish Johnny Alloo café, and a $200 voucher for dinner at Grainery Lane, a speakeasy-style favourite.

To complete your luxurious escape, enjoy a $1,200 Webjet voucher for flights and a $500 Rentacar voucher to explore the region at your leisure.

A gourmet spread from Black Cat Truffles showcasing the region’s finest flavours, featured in the Ballarat Giveaway.
Savour Ballarat’s rich flavours. (Credit: Einwick)

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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

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  

Lake Tyrrell
The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

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
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 

pink lake
The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

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).

pink lake
Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

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 

Lake Lascelles
You can camp at 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.