Victoria’s largest inland city is a boomtown fairytale. Scratch the surface and you might find treasures of your own. Explore 19th-century streets where time stopped the moment iron lace was added to the broad verandas. But there’s more to Ballarat than history. A pretty lake, rambling parklands, excellent dining and traditional corner pubs make this regional gem worth unearthing.
Situated in a state park, this luxury hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Creswick Natural Features Reserve, Creswick Museum, and St Georges Lake Flora Reserve. Calembeen Park and Park Lake Gardens are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Located in Golden Point (Ballarat), this spa hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Gold Museum, Sovereign Hill, and Lake Esmond Botanical Garden. Lake Esmond and Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka are also within 2 mi (3 km).
Located in the heart of Ballarat, this motel is within a 10-minute walk of Ballarat Base Hospital and St John of God Hospital Ballarat. Art Gallery of Ballarat is 1.1 mi (1.8 km) away. Ballarat Station is 22 minutes by foot.
Located in the heart of Daylesford, this spa hotel is steps from Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre and Daylesford Museum and Cultural Centre. Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens and Lake Daylesford are also within 15 minutes. Daylesford Station is 17 minutes by foot.
Located in Bakery Hill, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Ballarat Town Hall and Art Gallery of Ballarat. St Patrick's Cathedral and Gold Museum are also within 1 mi (2 km). Ballarat Station is 10 minutes by foot.
Located in the heart of Ballarat, this hotel is steps from Art Gallery of Ballarat and Ballarat Town Hall. St Patrick's Cathedral and St John of God Hospital Ballarat are also within 15 minutes. Ballarat Station is only a 3-minute walk.
Located in Bakery Hill, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Ballarat Town Hall, Art Gallery of Ballarat, and St Patrick's Cathedral. Gold Museum and Lake Esmond Botanical Garden are also within 1 mi (2 km). Ballarat Station is 13 minutes by foot.
Located in Alfredton, this golf motel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Ballarat Golf Club, Flax Mill Swamp Wildlife Reserve, and Mullawallah Wetlands Nature Conservation Reserve. Ballarat Base Hospital and St John of God Hospital Ballarat are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Located in Bakery Hill, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Art Gallery of Ballarat and Ballarat Town Hall. St Patrick's Cathedral and St John of God Hospital Ballarat are also within 1 mi (2 km). Ballarat Station is 10 minutes by foot.
Located in Golden Point (Ballarat), this motel is within a 10-minute walk of Gold Museum and Lake Esmond Botanical Garden. Lake Esmond and Sovereign Hill are also within 15 minutes. Ballarat Station is 25 minutes by foot.
Located in Bakery Hill, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Ballarat Town Hall and Art Gallery of Ballarat. St Patrick's Cathedral and Gold Museum are also within 1 mi (2 km). Ballarat Station is 15 minutes by foot.
Located in Golden Point (Ballarat), this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Gold Museum and Sovereign Hill. Lake Esmond Botanical Garden and Lake Esmond are also within 15 minutes.
See all Hotels in Ballarat
$135
Leave the hustle and bustle of Melbourne behind, and breathe in the fresh country air as you trek through the mountains. Travel from the Western Victorian
$166
Travel back in time at Sovereign Hill and share in the experiences of the locals at an original gold-mining town of the 1850s. Discover historical sites and
$365
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the excitement of Ballarat’s gold rush days at Sovereign Hill! Set on a former gold mining site, this award
If you're flying into Melbourne, you can pick up a car right at the airport. The drive from Melbourne covers just 115km and will take about 90 minutes. Use your holiday wheels to roll through town and explore nearby Lerderderg State Park.
Not keen on driving after your flight touches down? No worries! Airport transfers to Ballarat are super easy to arrange and make getting from airplane to adventure a breeze.
Ballarat Airport (Ballarat Aerodome) doesn't receive commercial flights. Unless you're friends with a helicopter pilot-which would be awesome!-plan on the 115km commute from Melbourne Airport. To get to MEL from Ballarat, follow the M8 out of town.
Pack weather-appropriate clothing and add these must-haves to your backpack:
Ballarat isn't particularly walkable, but if you want to cruise around the city centre, biking is a nice option. Of course, Sovereign Hill and Lake Wendouree are best seen on foot, but to really get the most out of your holiday, get around with reliable public transport or hire a car.
Ballarat's seasons are mild, making any time a fab time to visit. January temperatures reach up to a warm 25° on average, and winter temps range between about 3° to 10°. March through June are especially popular with travellers and locals alike, thanks to the autumn weather and the week-long festivities of Gnarrwirring Ngitj Festival-celebrating Aboriginal stories, traditions and history.
The history books will tell you Ballarat is famous for its status as a gold mining boom town during the 1850s. Local residents, however, will vouch for the region's reputation as an emerging foodie destination, with awesome wineries, galleries and museums to boot.
As local historians tell the story, the first gold discovery in Ballarat was reported on August 2, 1851 by Thomas Hiscock. Follow in his footsteps and pan for gold in the creek at Red Hill Gully Diggings in Sovereign Hill.
