I love Ballarat. There’s so much to do and beautiful things to see. Here are a few of my favourites!
GETTING YOURSELF AROUND
Drive | Parking at most locations or within a 100m walk.
Walk & Ride | Plenty of safe places to walk of ride along Ballarat’s streets. BYO bike.
Bus | Bus route 22 & 24 stop by the house | https://cdcvictoria.com.au/travel-information/timetables-and-maps/ballarat
FEED YOURSELF
*Uber Eats, Menulog, Deliveroo also available
Mr Jones | $$$ | Contemporary Asian, our pick for special occasions. Bookings required in advance.
Hop Temple | $$ | American Bar food and plenty of craft brews.
The Forge Pizzeria | $$ | Woodfired gourmet pizzas topped with local produce
Pancho | $$ | Latin American, lots of share plates, delicious
The Royal Oak Pub| $ | my “local” pub fare | 402 South Street, Ballarat | 5331 5373
The Lake View Hotel | $$ | Contemporary pub lunch & dinner + breakfast/brunch
Yellow Espresso | $ | Brunch and lunch
Higher Society Eatery | $ | Brunch and lunch
Skipton Street Bakery |$| Next door. Usual bakery food, Opens early, closes around 3 Mon – Sat.
The many weekend markets in the area will keep your pantry and tummy full. Some of our favourites are the Daylesford (45 mins drive), the Bridge Mall market in central Ballarat, the Ballarat farmers market that is held on the shore of Lake Wendouree, and the Creswick (15 mins drive) and Talbot (45 mins) markets . See: https://www.visitballarat.com.au/things-to-do/markets/
Or head off for an explore and taste some of the locally grown produce (wine included) around the region. See: https://www.visitballarat.com.au/food-drink/wineries/ & https://www.visitballarat.com.au/food-drink/local-producers/
TREAT YOURSELF
Shopping in Ballarat, my fav stores are:
Wen & Ware | $-$$ | Women’s clothing & homewares |
The Mill Markets | $-$$$ | Antiques & collectables |
Blanc Boutique | $$-$$$ | Women’s clothing boutique | Rebecca Vallance, Bec & Bridge|
Central Square | $-$$ | Shopping centre | Myer, Target, Peter Alexander, Mimco|
Stocklands Wendouree | $-$$| Large shopping centre | Kmart, Susans, Sportsgirl |
The Bridge Mall | $-$$ | Medium sized shopping strip | Sports Girl, Lorna Jane |
HEAD OFF FOR A DRIVE
Within a short drive you can be in another world. The drive is usually part of the adventure as theres lots of see along the way!
Daylesford and Hepburn Springs (45 mins drive)
A day to visit the many spas, splurge on some of Victoria’s most beautiful art and antiques and stuff yourself with the local food. See: https://visithepburnshire.com.au/daylesford
Our favs are:
The Chocolate Mill | $-$$ | Hand crafted chocolates & the best hot chocolate |
Bromley & Co | $$$ | Art to purchase or dream about |
Farmers Arms | $$| Seasonal local produce, lunch and dinner |
The Mill Markets | $-$$$ | Antiques and cafe |
Creswick (15 mins drive)
A half day explore, or a great picnic location. See: http://www.creswick.net/things-to-do
My favs are:
Creswick Market| Crafts & local food | 9am-1pm every third Saturday of the month |
St Georges Lake | Walking & swimming, free BBQs and toilets | St Georges Lake Road |
Woollen Mills | Woollen clothes & petting zoo |
The Farmers Wife | Clothing & homewares |
Tin Can Collective | Retro furniture & antiques |
Le Peche Gourmand | French patisserie & cafe |
Ballan (30 mins drive, or 15 min train ride)
Coming from Melbourne? Pop in on your way into town or your way home. Otherwise, it’s just half an hour down the highway, or a quick and cheap train ride.
My favs are:
Ballan Farmers Market | Crafts & local food | 9am-1pm every second Saturday of the month |
Zest Cafe | $ | Cafe type food, lunch & breakfast |130A Inglis Street, Ballan | 5368 2740 |
Ballan Local Butcher | $ | locally sourced & produced meat | 130 Inglis Street, Ballan |
Bostock Reservoir Picnic Ground | free | Shaws Road, Ballan |
Ballan Mineral Spring | free | Shaws Road, Ballan |
MOVE YOURSELF
Even better, soak in that fresh country air with a walk or ride around Lake Wendouree, or on one of the many trails around Ballarat (Yarrowee Creek, Skipton rail trail, Bunny rail trail). Or a short drive away to the neighbouring areas such as Lal Lal falls, Trentham waterfall, St Georges Lake in Creswick, Mt Buninyong, Mt Warrenheip will treat you to a photographic delight. See: https://www.visitballarat.com.au/things-to-do/recreation-outdoor-activities/ballarat-walking-trails/
KIDS
Theres so much to do with kids around Ballarat. Events, festivals, playgrounds, and of course, the Ballarat Wildlife Park ($$) and Sovereign Hill ($$$).
For more information or details on things to do in and around Ballarat, please visit: https://www.visitballarat.com.au/
The Cottage Ballarat 