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Win a $5270 3-night luxury Ballarat getaway

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

Entries have now closed.

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

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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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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The iconic Victorian beach where true Aussie surf culture was born

    Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
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    Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.

    It’d be easy to think Australian surf culture was born around the right-hand point breaks of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. These regions seem the epitome of how the world views Aussie surfers – bronzed (or burnt), languishing in warm water and sunshine. The reality is a lot different.

    The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline

    surfers at Bells Beach in Australia
    Surfers stand on the shore at Bells Beach, where the country’s biggest surfing competition is held each year. (Image: Getty/Filed Image)

    True Aussie surf culture was born on the chilly waves of Victoria’s winters, when huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean hit cliff-lined beaches along the Great Ocean Road. These beaches were the ultimate proving ground – surfers from all over Australia arrived in panel vans and VWs to do battle with the biggest waves they could find.

    huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach
    Surfers take advantage of the huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    There are surf breaks all along this very picturesque coast – but those around Torquay were most revered. The ultimate test of a surfer’s ability – and durability – however, was Bells Beach: Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. Just beyond, the breaks at Jan Juc and Winkipop beckoned.

    an aerial view of surfers at Bells Beach
    Hit the waves along the picturesque coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay became surfing’s Silicon Valley: HQ for the entire Australian surf culture revolution. Four young locals worked out of their backyards in Torquay to create two of the world’s biggest surf labels – Rip Curl and Quiksilver, which soon became the region’s biggest employers.

    surfers out at Bells Beach
    Surfers out at Bells Beach, Victoria’s most famous beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    Rip Curl started sponsoring the Bells Beach Pro in 1973 – and have done ever since. It’s been going since 1962 – making it the world’s longest continually run surfing contest. Held every Easter, it’s part of the world surfing tour. Spectators line its 30-metre-high cliffs to watch the world’s best take on enormous waves – it’s the ultimate coliseum for the sport and has inspired generations of Aussie surfers to join the list of heroes whose names are on its iconic bell.

    Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland

    Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay
    The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Just behind Torquay’s main drag, you can see all that history on display at the world’s best surf museum – the Australian National Surfing Museum. Here you can take your time absorbing the 100-year-or-so history of Australian surfing and check out the 150-strong surfboard collection.

    surfboards on display at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The museum holds surfing memorabilia, including a room dedicated to the history of boards. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    But classic Aussie surf culture can be observed in everyday life all over the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Surfing dictates life here; no work is done until the big swells have come and gone. Just being here provides a window into 60-odd years of rebellion against convention; for no-one likes nine-to-five living on the Great Ocean Road.

    surfing memorabilia at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The varied displays celebrate the Bells Beach competition, surfing legends and Aussie surf culture. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s less panel vans and VW Beetles these days, but surf culture still rules life. Surfers run this coast; you’re better off keeping out of their way when they’re running down past you to face the biggest swells – then hear them swap stories at cafes, restaurants and bars all around you.

    surfing at Bells Beach
    The beach near Torquay is Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. (Image: Visit Victoria/William Watt)