Mim's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Fantastic day out for the whole family. Lots of interactive exhibits at this living museum. Book ahead to avoid queues at the door. There's plenty of parking on site including EV charge points.
148 locals recommend
Sovereign Hill
Fantastic day out for the whole family. Lots of interactive exhibits at this living museum. Book ahead to avoid queues at the door. There's plenty of parking on site including EV charge points.
Come and explore one of Ballarat's best kept secret. Kids can feed and pat wallabies and there are live feeding of crocodiles, koalas and Tasmanian devils. You can even book an up close and personal experience where you can go into the enclosures and meet the animals.
63 locals recommend
Ballarat Wildlife Park
Come and explore one of Ballarat's best kept secret. Kids can feed and pat wallabies and there are live feeding of crocodiles, koalas and Tasmanian devils. You can even book an up close and personal experience where you can go into the enclosures and meet the animals.
An art gallery that could rival any in a major city. The guides are very knowledgeable and there is an impressive permanent collection. Keep an eye out for new exhibitions, as they often come to Ballarat.
113 locals recommend
Art Gallery of Ballarat
40 Lydiard St NAn art gallery that could rival any in a major city. The guides are very knowledgeable and there is an impressive permanent collection. Keep an eye out for new exhibitions, as they often come to Ballarat.
A beautiful place for a walk after visiting the lake. The big, beautiful sequoias frame the floral displays which change with the seasons. The Ballarat Begonia Festival is particularly popular.
45 locals recommend
Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Gillies Street NorthA beautiful place for a walk after visiting the lake. The big, beautiful sequoias frame the floral displays which change with the seasons. The Ballarat Begonia Festival is particularly popular.
A wonderful walk, run or ride. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes along the lake where you can stop for a coffee or lunch break. You can hire a paddle boat on calm days and see families of swans and cygnets in the Spring.
123 locals recommend
Lake Wendouree
A wonderful walk, run or ride. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes along the lake where you can stop for a coffee or lunch break. You can hire a paddle boat on calm days and see families of swans and cygnets in the Spring.
Food Scene
Fika Coffee Brewers
36A Doveton St NGreat coffee and breakfast, open Monday-Friday.
Excellent coffee, great food and delicious treats. Cute courtyard around the side for warmer afternoons and evenings.
13 locals recommend
Johnny Alloo
32 Drummond St NExcellent coffee, great food and delicious treats. Cute courtyard around the side for warmer afternoons and evenings.
Fantastic coffee and cakes. Also sells beautiful Ballarat-themed homewares. Great for lunch or some gift shopping.
Fossick coffee & wares
54 Victoria StreetFantastic coffee and cakes. Also sells beautiful Ballarat-themed homewares. Great for lunch or some gift shopping.
The newest (and arguably best) food venture. Head here for a great night out of delicious modern Korean/fusion cooking, incredible cocktails and impressive decor. This place goes off, so book ahead!
7 locals recommend
Roy Hammond
24-28 Armstrong Street NorthThe newest (and arguably best) food venture. Head here for a great night out of delicious modern Korean/fusion cooking, incredible cocktails and impressive decor. This place goes off, so book ahead!
Neighbourhoods
Beautiful historic town with it's own hot springs. Great foodie destination surrounded by beautiful bush. Just 35mins from Ballarat.
61 locals recommend
Daylesford
Beautiful historic town with it's own hot springs. Great foodie destination surrounded by beautiful bush. Just 35mins from Ballarat.