From Wikitravel

Ballarat [1] is a city of 84,000 people, about 110 km (65 miles) north-west of Melbourne in the Goldfields region of Victoria, Australia. Drive time from Melbourne is about 80-90 minutes. Ballarat is most noted as a former goldmining town and the site of the famous miners' strike at the Eureka Stockade, the event celebrating its 150th anniversary in late November - early December 2004.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Ballarat is an easy 90 minute drive from Melbourne on the Western Freeway (M8). Alternatively, from Geelong take the southern section of the A300; from Bendigo and Castlemaine take the northern section of the same highway.

[edit] By train

Frequent V/Line [2] trains run from Southern Cross Station (known as Spencer Street Station until December 2005) in Melbourne. The trip takes approx 1 hour and 20 minutes and Ballarat Station is in the centre of the city.

[edit] Get around

The Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, a short walk from the Station, operates a friendly visitor shuttle bus. This service links to the main tourist attractions as well as to Buninyong Township.

[edit][add listing] See

• Visitor Information Centre, 39 Sturt Street (cnr Albert St).

• Sovereign Hill, Magpie St., [3]. Every day except Christmas Day 10AM-5PM, till 5:50PM during daylight saving. The “DisneyLand” of Victoria, it is a recreated 1850s goldmining town where staff wear period costumes and visitors can try their hand at panning for gold. $29 adult, $14 child.
  • Blood on the Southern Cross. M-Sa evenings and some Sundays. Times vary. An 80-minute sound and light show depicting the Eureka Uprising. $35 adult, $19 child.
  • Gold Museum. Every day except Christmas Day 9:30AM-5:20PM. Sovereign Hill ticket gives entry to the museum as well.

• Eureka Stockade Centre, cnr Eureka St and Rodier St, East Ballarat, [4]. Every day 9AM-4:30PM except Christmas Day. Last entry 4PM. The 1854 Eureka miners’ rebellion against license fees took place here. The stockade was formerly home to a rather rundown wooden shed with a diorama and recorded explanation, but in recent years it’s been totally modernized and the site now hosts a large multimedia exhibition on the Stockade. $8 adult, $4 child.

• Ballarat Botanical Gardens, [5].

• Ballarat Wildlife Park, [6].

• Lake Wendouree.

• Kryal Castle, [7] A medieval castle situated just eight kilometres out of Ballarat on the Western Freeway. It has got royal accommodation, restaurant, re-enactments and an interesting history.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Begonia Festival, Lake Wendouree & Sturt St, [8]. The Begonia Festival, held over the labour day long weekend in March is worth attending, with activities such as a street parade held in Sturt St and horticultural displays in and around the botanical gardens of lake wendouree.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

Ballarat has several markets held throughout the week which offer great shopping for antiques, bric a brac and various local products such as plants and confectionary. The showgrounds Trash & Treasure is held every Sunday from 6AM - 2opm, entry is by Gold Cloin Donation. The Pleasant Street Primary Craft market is held the First Sunday of every month, free entry.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• oscars, doveton st (opposite target, in the cbd), ☎ 03 53311451, [9]. Oscar’s Hotel & Café Bar is a unique art deco, boutique hotel in the heart of Ballarat’s CBD. Now privately owned and operated, Oscar’s was originally the Criterion Hotel, a popular venue in the gold rush days.  edit
• Europa, 411 Sturt St Ballarat, ☎ =(+61 3) 5338 7672, [10]. A great surprisingly mid priced cafe, with a wide range of meals, from the tastes of Italy to Asia, also good for dropping in for a coffee or wine & watch the Ballarat foot traffic of Sturt St. mid range.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are a numerous pubs and nightclubs in Ballarat including: 21 Arms - more for young people this offers modern music and drink specials - open until 3AM Fridays and Saturdays The Bended Elbow - Newly Opened, this venue has several dance floors, an eating area as well as downstairs stage and nightclub. The Karova Lounge - The best place for Live music in ballarat, with many popular Melbourne bands making the trip to perform there. Cover chanrge can vary depending on the band.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Oscars Hotel, doveton st (opposite target, in the cbd), ☎ 53311451, [11]. Renovated hotel built in gold rush days, with 13 modern guest rooms, restaurant, bar and courtyard.  edit
• George Hotel, 27 Lydiard St Nth (between Sturt St and Mair St). Bunkroom $30, singles from $50 (tariffs include light breakfast). Nightclub may cause noise in the rooms till 4AM F-Sa nights.

• Craig’s Royal Hotel, 10 Lydiard St Sth.

[edit] Get out

To get back to Melbourne get onto the Western Freeway from either Ballarat - Daylesford Rd, Gillies St, Midland Hwy or Ballarat - Burrumbeet Rd.

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