8 of the best Ballarat markets for one-of-a-kind pieces

Crammed with hard-to-replicate gems and infectious community spirit, every great Ballarat market is worth a morning’s exploration.

An immense Victorian city that maintains small-town country vibes, Ballarat is filled with unexpected charms. While you’ll spend days ticking off the best things to do in Ballarat, and far longer dining at the best restaurants, the enchanting soul of this city is best grasped at a market. Home to seasonal local produce, inspired entrepreneurial ventures and a ton of artisanal craft, these regular (or semi-regular) portals into the livelihood of Ballarat’s residents are nothing short of enthralling. Here, we round up the best Ballarat markets.

1. Ballarat Farmers Market

Two people shopping for vegetables at a market — Shop for fresh veggies.

If you can time your Ballarat holiday to the second or fourth Saturday of the month, you can kiss the task of supermarket stockpiling goodbye. The Ballarat Farmers Market is the ultimate go-to for organic fruit and vegetables, bread and pastries, meats, cheeses, eggs, snacks and even wine, so get there early for a complete spectrum of supplies. There on an empty stomach? Even better, as a coffee van will pour you a fix and hot food like dumplings, Gözleme, and bacon and egg rolls are also on hand. Don’t miss other highlights including kitchen accessories, native plants, homewares and treats for your pet.

Where: North Gardens Reserve, Lake Wendouree

When: Second and fourth Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm

2. The Bridge Market

A stall at The Bridge Market in Ballarat — Secure gourmet ingredients and delicacies. (Photo: Matt Dunne)

The buzz is unbeatable at The Bridge Market , which pops up along the retail mecca of Bridge Mall and houses a mixed bag of stallholders. It’s technically a farmer’s market, so bring your reusable shopping bags to secure gourmet ingredients and delicacies, but it draws a thick crowd of design lovers who comb the offerings for statement clothing, jewellery and accessories.

Where: Bridge Mall, Ballarat

When: First Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm

3. The Design Exchange

the building exterior of Ballarat Mining Exchange — The innovative market is housed in the historic Ballarat Mining Exchange. (Image: Visit Victoria)

An absolute must-schedule if undiscovered artists and independent design talent inspires you, The Design Exchange is a melting pot of creativity. Children’s clothing and toys, gorgeous ceramics, fine jewellery, lounge room brighteners, homemade treats and so much more is bound to tempt you, plus you’re guaranteed to find months’ worth of hard-to-find gifts so don’t leave without stickybeaking every row.

Where: Ballarat Mining Exchange, 12 Lydiard St North, Ballarat

When: Twice annually, so check the website’s Info page for upcoming dates

4. Ballarat Vintage & Collectables Market

memorabilia at Ballarat Vintage & Collectables Market — Ballarat Vintage & Collectables Market has over 80 stalls with vintage finds and serious collectables. (Image: Supplied)

Just a ten-minute drive east of the centre of town, the Ballarat Vintage & Collectables Market is unlike any other market in the region. Flowing with vintage finds and serious collectables, stepping into the place feels as though you’re walking through the backdrop of Antiques Roadshow (and the likelihood of striking gold is quite possible, too). Furniture, antiques, old records, retro furnishings, and so more random treasure hunting awaits.

Where: 9367 Western Highway, Warrenheip

When: It’s open every day from 10am to 6pm

5. Avoca Riverside Market

people shopping at the stalls along Avoca Riverside Market, Ballarat — Potter around the stalls filled with baked goods and handmade crafts. (Image: Visit Melbourne)

An idyllic daytrip from Ballarat, less than one hour’s drive away, the Avoca Riverside Market is a charming collective of stalls. Set on the banks of Avoca River and dotted with river gums, the market invites aimless strolling — that is until you find the local Pyrenees vineyards offering wine tastings. Make a beeline for their stalls if you’re a sucker for top-notch drops (the Pyrenees region of Victoria is renowned for its big reds and sparklings) to help you find a new label to love. There’s also hot food, homewares, a few fruit and veg stalls and plants to peruse.

Where: Avoca River Flats, Cambridge and Dundas Sts, Avoca

When: Fourth Sunday of every month from 9am to 1pm

6. Ballan Farmers Market

a stall selling honey at Ballan Farmers Market — Find homemade goods from more than 25 stalls at Ballan Farmers Market. (Image: Patrick Bonello)

Run by volunteers determined to showcase their region’s stellar artisans and suppliers, the Ballan Farmers Market is a magnetic morning ritual located about half an hour from Ballarat. As live music lights up the inside of an old church, more than 25 stalls sell a mix of homemade foods and local produce, while the odd candle, soap or craft supplier also makes an appearance.

Where: St Paul’s Uniting Church, 73 Inglis St, Ballan

When: Second Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm

7. Smythesdale Country Market

fresh raspberries at Smythesdale Country Market, Ballarat — Take home high-quality fresh fruit. (Image: Getty/JMichl)

A rural village boasting a tight-knit community, Smythesdale features a picture-perfect historical precinct and one of its biggest attractions is the monthly Smythesdale Country Market . You’ll need to zip about 15 minutes’ south-west of Ballarat, but a little road tripping is worth it as more than 40 stalls span super-fresh produce, native plants, artisanal creations and fun initiatives like a ‘beanie battle’ to inspire local craft types. Expect food trucks, coffee vans and plenty of hot food to help keep the good times kicking.

Where: Woady Yaloak Recreation Facility, Smythesdale

When: Third Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm

8. Talbot Farmers Market

crowds at the Talbot Farmers Market, Ballarat — The bustling scene at the Talbot Farmers Market. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Drawing solid crowds monthly, the Talbot Farmers Market set the region alight when it burst onto the scene in 2004, serving as one of the first local farmers’ markets. Fast-forward 20-odd years and you’ll be rubbing shoulders with thousands, all equally as eager to uncover the suppliers who have inspired market replicas right throughout the Goldfields region. It goes without saying that BYO bags will be filled with the season’s most peak produce, while jams, chutneys, cheeses and other extremely delectable temptations can’t be ignored. It’s about a 40-minute drive north of Ballarat.

Where: 40 Scandinavian Cres, Talbot

When: Third Sunday of every month from 9am to 1pm

9. Creswick Market

A woman shopping at Creswick Market — Creswick Market is a buzzy hub of activity.

Get your four-legged pal on tour with you? Pile them into the car and set off 20 minutes’ north of Ballarat in search of Creswick Market . It’s a buzzy hub of activity once a month as stallholders sell everything from olive oils, sauces, jams and honey to arts and crafts, jewellery and clothing. There’s always live music to help set the scene, while a playground and lush gardens also serve to tire out little limbs.

Where: 19-21 Victoria St, Creswick

When: Third Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm

Discover the best places to stay in Ballarat

The wild, otherworldly beauty of The Grampians offers a perfect place to unwind, slow down and relax.

Not all holidays yield the same result; some are bustling, with endless things to do, events to book and places to see. All great things, but they leave you feeling more tired than before. Then, there are destinations that help you slow down, making real connections and participating in self-care.

Destinations like The Grampians : surrounded by untouched nature, allowing a chance to reconnect with yourself and loved ones at a slower pace.

Discover six science-backed ways to enjoy a holiday and feel restored at the end of it.

1. Practice mindfulness

Hamilton Gallery, the grampians — Be present at Hamilton Gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Mindfulness – the practice of tuning into the present moment – has been found to help in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One way to practice this art is by immersing yourself in art.

Hamilton Gallery has been in operation for over 60 years, and is not only home to many significant art pieces but also runs workshops and events for all ages to expand their awareness and understanding of art. The gallery is also the custodian of the largest collection of Gunditjmara artefacts held on country.

If you prefer to practice mindfulness through movement, visit Halls Gap Zoo to feed the meerkats – who wouldn’t feel better after focusing on these little guys? Or visit The Grampians Horse Riding Centre for an unforgettable morning ride through 10 kilometres of bushland. Enjoy the soothing movement of the horse and experience the bush anew.

2. Indulge in self-care

two people swimming in the Venus Baths, the grampains — Take an immersive bath in nature on the Venus Baths loop walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

While the term self-care might conjure up images of indulgent bubble baths or a soothing massage, there’s more to it than pampering. Self-care is any action that protects your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Like taking an immersive ‘bath’ in nature. Do just that on the Venus Baths loop walk – ideal for less experienced hikers or those walking with kids – stopping at freshwater-filled rockpools to cool down along the way.

Serious hikers (we’re talking some rock hopping and traversing slippery tracks) can tackle the Wurgarri, or Mount Sturgeon walk, which rewards the effort with panoramic views from the summit.

For those whose idea of self-care leans more towards arts and culture, a visit to WAMA is a must. Australia’s first national centre for environmental art is home to exhibitions that explore the natural world through film, installation, painting, performance and more.

3. Embrace nature

Boroka Lookout, the grampians — Soak in incredible views over Halls Gap at Boroka Lookout. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to soothe your body and mind. It’s been proven to help with all manner of things, from reducing stress to boosting cognitive function. And there’s no better place to enjoy it than among the raw sandstone, wildflowers and native creatures of The Grampians.

Rocklands Reservoir, spanning 6700 hectares, is an ideal spot. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view over Grampians National Park. Cast a line, hire a canoe or follow nature trails along the water’s perimeter. How’s the serenity?

To appreciate nature’s imposing power, head to Splitters Falls. Here, find unrivalled tranquillity. Spring is the best time to visit, when bouquets of native spring flowers greet visitors.

Those with limited mobility will appreciate Boroka Lookout, a viewing platform surrounded by breathtaking views over Halls Gap and the eastern Grampians. Come early to witness a sunrise you’ll never forget.

4. Prioritise Rest

outdoor bathtub at Nook On The Hill — Recharge at Nook on the Hill. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Above all else, a holiday should be an opportunity to recharge, and there’s no better way to do it than to get a good night’s sleep. We don’t need to tell you how essential sleep is, for everything from mental health to strengthening the immune system.

Try Wanderlust Glamping , where guests fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature after an evening relaxing around the fire pit and wake to your very own green oasis.

For pure luxury in the foothills of the Grampians National Park, look no further than Nook on the Hill – a handcrafted tiny house surrounded by rewilded, lush native Australian bush. It might be small, but Nook on the Hill has everything needed to unwind in style, including an outdoor bath for balmy nights.

For a modern farm stay, book at Mount William Station in the foothills of The Grampians. The station combines old-world charm with modern amenities and easy access to everything this region has to offer.

5. Engage Your Senses

Salingers Cafe, destinations that help you slow down — Indulge in a meal at Salingers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Few human senses are as fun to indulge in as taste. A meal at Salingers in Great Western is the ultimate treat, and not only for the taste buds. The food is excellent, but Salingers’ really unique attraction is the bustling beehive that lives within the walls of the historic building.

For an expertly smoked burger, ribs, or beef brisket, head to Flame Brothers in Halls Gap. Tuck into delicious food while you enjoy the view.

If you prefer your senses heightened by the pump of adrenaline, Grampians Soaring Club offers an eagle-eye view of the Grampians National Park and Pyrenees Ranges from a glider. Take in the sights with a cross-country flight, ridge soar, or altitude wave flight.

6. Connect and reconnect

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria — Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

Making shared memories is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. These unexpected finds make it easy to discover something new in The Grampians.

Amateur geologists will delight at the Kanawinka geotrail, which covers 60 sites over Australia’s most extensive volcanic province. Visit the Penshurst Volcano Discovery Centre to learn more about volcanic activity in The Grampians, or head to nearby Mount Napier State Park for a trip into the Byaduk lava caves.

Pop in to the Ros McArthur Art Studio to peruse the gardens full of native and exotic plants and flowers that serve as the subjects of Ros’s still life paintings.

For a shopping experience like no other, head to the Dimboola Imaginarium . Far more than a shop, the Dimboola Imaginarium is an immersive experience where you’ll find all manner of quirky bits and pieces. Expect the unexpected.

Put these science-backed holiday benefits to the test during a trip to The Grampians. Plan your peaceful getaway at visitgrampians.com.au.