A little over an hour from Melbourne, Ballarat is the perfect place for a regional getaway, soaking in nature, an extensive foodie scene and beautiful historical buildings.

We were pleasantly surprised when we visited Ballarat recently and can’t wait to go back and explore more of this beautiful city in country Victoria.

When you want to indulge yourselves in the best of Ballarat we would recommend staying at least two nights – or longer if you have the time. There is so much to see and do for the whole family and you know what they say; ” Time flies when you’re having fun”

Things to do in Ballarat

Here is a recap of the things we did in Ballarat during our weekend stay, where we stayed and where we found the best places to eat.

The Botanical Gardens & Lake Wendouree

The Ballarat Botanical Gardens feature an amazing collection of beautiful trees, marble statues and colourful flower displays.

Located on the western shore of Lake Wendouree, approximately four kilometres from Ballarat’s CBD, the Ballarat Botanical Gardens are a must see in Ballarat.

It’s located opposite of lake Wendouree, which offers an abundance of birdlife, walking tracks and it also has a great wooden adventure playground for the kids.

If you are interested in the old Ballarat tramway, this is also located in this area.

Ballarat Tramway Museum

Explore the history of Ballarat’s old trams by hopping on board and head to the Ballarat Tramway Museum.

It’s a fun ride and although the Museum is pretty small, it’s a great activity when visiting Ballarat

Ballarat’s Historic City Centre

Soak up some history and step back in time when walking through Ballarat’s historic city centre.

We never expected to find so many beautiful Art Deco and historical buildings in Ballarat.

At times we felt like walking in Europe.

Stroll through the streets and you will find cute little bookshops, boutiques, galleries, and beautiful facades.

Ballarat Train Station

If you like history, then definitely have a look at Ballarat’s train station which is full of beautiful historic details.

Tuki Trout Farm

Only a 40-minute drive from Ballarat, the Tuki Trout Farm sits on top of a hill featuring 80 kilometers of uninterrupted views of the Loddon Campaspe Valley. 

As a traditional grazing property, Tuki Trout Farm has over 150 years of history with the miner’s cottage, restaurant and wool shed all being the original buildings from back in the days.

It’s a true family business honoring a sustainable life & organic practices with their stock being antibiotic-free, chemical-free and hormone-free.

Their rainbow trout swim in aerated spring water and when you decided to stay for lunch, you will enjoy the “pond to the pan & from the paddock to the plate experience. The entire menu draws upon their farm produce. Fresh and real food.

We spend the morning catching one rainbow trout after the other … actually Semmie did 🙂 We’re busy making foto’s and videos and getting the fish of the hook 😉

Not sure how he did it, but he hooked them on every time he dropped his line into the water. His face every time he caught a fish, was golden!

He caught one of the biggest trouts, which was then prepared by one of the Tuki Trout Farm’s chef for our lunch.

It was a true Ozzie Farm experience ( don’t expect a fancy restaurant and top-notch table service here )

Think: unique, back to basic, with good and fresh food, a smile on your children’s face after they caught a fish and a great activity to explore the country surrounding Ballarat.

Where to Eat in Ballarat

Ballarat is a foodie heaven with many beautiful cafe’s & restaurants at every corner.

Armstrong Street North is one of the hottest places to eat in Ballarat’s CBD with many amazing restaurants and cafes.

Here are the ones we had a bite at, and we loved and recommend all three of them.

1. Breakfast at Hydrant

Tucked away in a heritage laneway warehouse located in the CBD, you will find this piece of Ballarat History.

The building, that dates from the early ’50s was a fire station back in the days but is completely renovated with the original sprinkler system still on display. 

The large open space, filled with natural light, has this modern city vibe. Relaxed and Friendly Vibes. Friendly staff and innovative items on the menu created by local flavours and produce, that you won’t find anywhere else.

2. Pizza at the Forge Pizzeria

If you like Good Pizza, this is your place to eat in Ballarat. Their delicious wood-fired pizzas are made with local fresh product and high quality ingredients. Everything is made from scratch and they source all their ingredients local.

They not only have pizza, but also other traditional Italian classics that will activate all your tastebuds.

Inside, the restaurant is buzzing with good vibes. The perfect place to gather with friends and family.

The interior is rustic with exposed brick walls and furniture made from recycled wood and other recycled materials.

A must do dining experience in Ballarat.

3. South American Cuisine at Pancho

Ballarat meets South America with this colorful fun restaurant called Pancho.

The menu is inspired by the owner’s experience with Latin America’s street culture. The Food you get in those little side street alleys in Mexico, Argentina and Colombia. Those places where you can get the best food on the continent.

If that’s your taste, indulge yourself in typical Latin American food and drinks at Poncho.

Where to Stay in Ballarat

Ballarat offers a wide range of accommodations from caravan parks to boutique hotels and from self-contained apartments to local bed & breakfasts.

Quest Ballarat Station Apartments

We stayed at the new Quest Apartments near the Ballarat Station. Opened in December 2020, Quest offers 77 modern and spacious studio’s, one bedroom, two-bedroom, and three bedroom apartments.

Quest Ballarat Station is located within the Train Station Redevelopment Precinct adjacent to the Goods Shed Convention and Exhibition Center and restaurant hub. Only a short walk across the park lands to the train and bus station.

The perfect location to explore Ballarat.

We stayed in a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment and wow we wished we could stay longer.

Cozy, yet modern furniture, a complete kitchen with dishwasher and all the appliances you need. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms ( the main bathroom with bath, washer and dryer ) a cozy living area and a massive balcony with great views.

Weekends in Ballarat

This was our weekend experience in Ballarat. We all loved the city and we will be back to discover more.

Ballarat is a great weekend destination when traveling from Melbourne, but when you have more time, go longer as there is so much more to discover in the city but also in the country around Ballarat.

For more information and other things to do in Ballarat head to the official Tourism Website at www.visitballarat.com.au

Thanks to Visit Ballarat for inviting us to explore Ballarat. This article is brought to you in collaboration with Visit Ballarat, but as always, all text and images are created by us and based on our true experiences 🙂