15 Best Attractions in Ballarat, Australia

The narrative of Australia’s third-largest inland city is deeply intertwined with the Victorian gold rush of the mid-19th century.

Gold was initially discovered in this region in 1851, igniting a relentless pursuit of wealth due to the abundance of alluvial deposits.

The riches generated from the gold rush are evident in the opulence of the hotels, venues, and government edifices along Lydiard Street, as well as the elegant parkland on the western shore of Lake Wendouree.

Sovereign Hill, the nucleus of the gold rush, now serves as a premier outdoor museum.

Moreover, Ballarat’s Victorian-era amenities, including an art gallery, a botanical garden, and a tramway, are preserved for future generations.

1. Sovereign Hill

At Sovereign Hill, visitors find themselves at the epicenter of the world’s richest alluvial gold rush.

The Welcome Nugget, the largest gold nugget ever unearthed, was discovered here and weighs nearly 70 kg.

This 25-hectare site serves as an outdoor museum, allowing you to revisit the dynamic first decade of Ballarat’s European history.

Sovereign Hill boasts over 60 replica historic structures, ranging from a coach-builder’s shop to a blacksmith’s forge. Additionally, a cast of costumed reenactors is on hand to immerse guests in the Victorian Gold Rush era.

Visitors will encounter intriguing facts and artifacts from the period, including furniture, mining tools, documents, photographs, books, and art.

This venue also encourages hands-on learning, inviting guests to create their own candles or pan for gold.

Central to the experience are presentations that highlight the indigenous Wathaurong people who have inhabited these lands for millennia, as well as Aura, a 3D film that chronicles the gold rush and Ballarat’s early years.

2. Lake Wendouree

The expansive waterway at Ballarat’s western edge has been a part of the landscape since the 1850s, created by damming a swamp to serve as a source of drinking water for the burgeoning town.

Spanning 238 acres and predominantly shallow, the lake has been adapted for various water sports over the years and was the venue for rowing and canoeing events during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

The islands and reedbeds surrounding the lake offer significant habitats for aquatic birds, with 166 species documented in the area. Thus, it is not uncommon to encounter birdwatchers during your visit.

Encircling the lake is a six-kilometer jogging and walking path, aptly named after the esteemed local distance runner, Steve Moneghetti.

For over 150 years, the lake’s western shore has been a cherished recreational space, complete with playgrounds, picnic and barbecue areas, as well as a serene botanical garden and a museum dedicated to Ballarat’s tramway history.

3. Ballarat Wildlife Park

Occupying nearly 40 hectares of picturesque bushland, Ballarat Wildlife Park is recognized for its engaging interactivity.

The majority of the resident animals are native Australian species, including wombats, koalas, echidnas, quokkas, little penguins, and both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles.

Visitors are likely to encounter free-roaming emus or kangaroos (with a population exceeding 100), which can be hand-fed.

Additionally, the park features exotic animals such as an Aldabra giant tortoise, meerkats, and a pair of Sumatran tigers.

Special animal encounters with koalas, meerkats, snakes, wombats, the giant tortoise, tree kangaroos, and tawny frogmouths are also available for those interested.

4. Ballarat Botanical Gardens

A significant element of Ballarat’s landscape dating back to the mid-19th century, the cool-climate botanical garden lies along the western shoreline of Lake Wendouree.

This expansive area covers 40 hectares and features a “gardenesque” Victorian pleasure garden nestled between two stretches of open parkland.

The gardens are adorned with numerous monuments, including a set of late 19th-century Italian sculptures illustrating figures from Roman mythology within an elegant pavilion.

There is also an avenue showcasing bronze busts of Australian prime ministers, the Australia Ex Prisoner of War Memorial (2004), and a striking contemporary conservatory with dynamic displays.

5. Art Gallery of Ballarat

The oldest regional art museum in Australia features a comprehensive collection of Australian fine art.

All artistic periods are well represented, commencing with colonial works and continuing through to contemporary pieces. Notable late 19th-century artists include Jane Sutherland, Louis Buvelot, Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, Rupert Bunny, and Walter Withers.

Moreover, significant 20th-century artists such as Sidney Nolan, Fred Williams, Arthur Boyd, and William Dobel are also featured in the collection.

The building on Lydiard Street, a Neoclassical bluestone structure dating back to 1884, is one of Australia’s oldest purpose-built art galleries and underwent a $7 million expansion in the early 2000s.

When visiting, guests can expect to find up to four temporary exhibitions, and the gallery houses the historical Eureka Flag, currently lent to the Eureka Centre (discussed below).

6. Ballarat Tramway Museum

From the late 19th century until 1971, tram transportation was the preferred method of transit in Ballarat.

Initially horse-drawn and electrified in 1905, the tram network extended across the city. Upon closure, a section along the shores of Lake Wendouree remained operational as a heritage line and museum.

The Ballarat Tramway Museum showcases a collection of vintage trams from the early 20th century, some constructed specifically for this network while others were transferred from Melbourne.

Notably, Tram No. 1, which served as Ballarat’s first horse-drawn tram, was discovered in use as a sleepout in the 1980s and has since been restored.

Visitors can explore the depot to view the fleet and an assortment of tram memorabilia, followed by a 20-minute ride through the Botanical Gardens.

7. Lydiard Street

The immense wealth generated by the gold rush is reflected in the grand and diverse architecture that lines this thoroughfare from the railway station to the SMB Campus of Federation University Australia.

Within this stretch of Lydiard Street, one can observe a well-preserved 19th-century townscape, where numerous buildings feature exquisite iron verandas adorned with intricate columns and balustrades.

In addition to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, notable establishments include the Mining Exchange (1887-89), The George Hotel (1854), Her Majesty’s Theatre (1875), Ballarat Town Hall (1870), Craig’s Hotel (1865), and the Provincial Hotel (1909), to mention only a few.

Amid the impressive architecture, Lydiard Street also hosts various bars, restaurants, and cultural hotspots such as the Post Office Gallery and the Regent Multiplex, housed within a 1930s Art Deco structure.

8. Eureka Centre

A significant historic site within Australian democracy, the Eureka Rebellion was fought by miners against colonial authorities in 1854 amid the Victorian gold rush.

This rebellion emerged from a variety of grievances, primarily the high cost of mining licenses and taxation imposed by colonial authorities without representation.

The resulting conflict resulted in a stockade that was violently dismantled; however, the plight of the captured rebels generated widespread sympathy, leading to a legislative bill that granted suffrage to male colonists (and later, women) in the lower house of the Victorian Parliament.

The Eureka Centre occupies the site of the stockade and replaced a former museum that closed in 2018. It features interactive displays that explore the causes and consequences of the rebellion, including the original Eureka Flag flown by the rebels.

This flag has since become a symbol of democracy and protest across the political spectrum in Australia.

9. Arch of Victory

Constructed shortly after the First World War, this memorial near the southwest corner of Prince of Wales Park isAustralia’s largest commemorative arch.

The Arch of Victory pays tribute to those who served during the Great War and honors the Allied Victory.

Standing at 16.5 meters high and 19.2 meters wide, it was later updated to recognize the Second World War, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans.

Originally funded by the women who worked at Eleanor Lucas’s Lingerie Factory during the First World War, it was inaugurated by Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII). The arch marks the beginning of the Avenue of Honour, which is lined with nearly 4,000 trees from 11 different species.

10. The Gold Museum

Affiliated with Sovereign Hill, the Gold Museum is situated just north of the outdoor museum, delving deeper into the gold heritage and cultural history of the Ballarat region.

The permanent exhibition, Ballarat: Inspired by Gold, chronicles the city’s history from prehistoric times through colonial agriculture and the discovery of gold in 1851. The museum houses a substantial collection of gold artifacts, including nuggets, antique jewelry, giftware and coins, along with various historical items like carriages, clothing, and mining tools that illustrate Ballarat’s rapid development.

11. Ballarat Railway Station

Arriving in Ballarat by train affords a grand welcome.

The railway station stands as a magnificent heritage structure in an impressive state of preservation.

Constructed with a portico, pediment, and Italianate tower, the building has remained largely unchanged since its inauguration in 1862. Noteworthy features include Victoria’s largest remaining interlocking mechanical gates, preserved due to dedicated conservation efforts during the 1980s and 1990s.

The station’s complex comprises a 19th-century train shed, signal boxes, and goods sheds.

Inside, the waiting area and café have been thoughtfully restored with traditional wooden furnishings, and there is a tourist information desk offering brochures and pamphlets.

12. Kryal Castle

Situated on a ridge overlooking a verdant valley just 10 minutes from Ballarat, this Medieval-style castle may come as a surprise.

Kryal Castle, never conquered, was constructed in the early 1970s and integrates accommodations with a variety of traditional attractions, performances, and entertainment.

Visitors can challenge themselves in the stone-built maze, navigate the dimly-lit passageways of the Dragon’s Labyrinth, view eerie exhibitions at the Dungeon of Doom, enjoy a lively show at the Jester’s Theatre, and witness knights in competition at the Royal Joust and Main Arena.

The castle grounds also feature a seasonal inflatable theme park and a magical performance in the wizard’s Workroom for younger explorers.

Every month, Kryal Castle hosts a Medieval-themed murder mystery inspired by Game of Thrones.

13. Victoria Park

Located a short distance from the southern shore of Lake Wendouree, Victoria Park is characterized by its extensive woodlands.

Many of the trees within the park were planted in May 1890, commemorating Victoria’s inaugural Arbor Day.

This park also features large sections of native grassland, home to a variety of wildflowers including purple chocolate lilies, white milkmaids, sweet hound’s tongue, various orchids, and scaly buttons.

With winding pathways, shelters, barbecue areas, and picnic facilities, Victoria Park also boasts an inclusive play space designed for children of all abilities.

14. Ballarat Bird World

Open from Friday to Monday, this intimate avian attraction is located just minutes from Sovereign Hill and allows visitors to engage closely with some of Australia’s most vibrant bird species.

A sizeable free-flight aviary invites visitors to stroll through, accompanied by smaller habitats adjacent to an elevated walkway.

As you explore, you will encounter an array of colorful avian species such as yellow, red, and white-tailed black cockatoos, major mitchells, gang-gangs, and many others.

Ballarat Bird World is nestled within beautifully landscaped parkland, complete with a manmade waterfall and lily pond, as well as dinosaur models, including an animatronic triceratops.

The café features a cozy wood fire for warmth during winter and air conditioning to keep cool during summer.

15. Mount Buninyong

Prominently situated within the Western Plains southeast of Ballarat is an extinct volcano that rises to 745 meters above sea level, with a relief of approximately 200 meters.

This distinctive feature is visible from as far away as Melbourne and served as an important landmark for Victoria’s early pastoral colonists.

Long before this era, Mount Buninyong was regarded as a spiritual site by the Keyeet Balug clan of the Wathaurong people, who inhabited the region for centuries prior to European settlement.

Today, the area is protected as a Scenic Reserve, offering visitors the opportunity to traverse the crater and admire the Western Plains from the rim of the cone on its southern and eastern sides.

A facility on site includes shelters, toilets, barbecue amenities, and informational boards detailing the natural and human history of the volcano.