Top Things to do in Ballarat
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Top 10 Things to do in Ballarat, Australia
Discover the best top things to do in Ballarat, Australia including Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Lake Wendouree, Arch of Victory, Sovereign Hill, Ballarat Wildlife Park, Lydiard Street, Ballarat Tramway Museum, Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka.
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1. Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
Overall Ratings
5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By MobileResident - Mobile,AL
I visited the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial earlier this month and I was overwhelmed at how this often overlooked group was recognized most fittingly for their service in multiple wars and conflicts across the globe in service of their country.
The memorial was appropriately well maintained and I really enjoyed learning more about it using the educational video screen that was easy to use & most informative. Make certain that you view the video of the dedication ceremony.
Making a special effort to visit this memorial if one is in Ballarat is well worth the effort.
2. Art Gallery of Ballarat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 567 reviews
Instituted in 1884, this became the first provincial Art Gallery established in Australia.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 632 reviews
Reviewed By Clive S
Travelled up from Adelaide Hills. The Botanical Gardens were a joy to walk around.
There are some magnificent trees and plants to admire with some shaded places to sit and reflect.
The Begonia festival was just beautiful showing plants and flowers to drool over. Lots of plants from a range of species were for sale.
Very enjoyable day.
The whole day now seems to be over catered for children which dulled things a bit as the trades stalls were thin on the ground and replaced with kids entertainment areas.
I would have enjoyed more trades stalls to see.
Even if the kids entertainments had been halved there would still be plenty of things to do for the kids and given the parents a chance to become more interested in horticulture.
However, we found it a fun day out sticking to the plant displays and bypassing the other things.
Not sure I would attend again as it was more of a royal show than a Begonia festival.
4. Lake Wendouree
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 880 reviews
Lake Wendouree, part of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, is an artifically created and maintained shallow urban lake.
Reviewed By Eleanor H - Goulburn, Australia
Great, easy 6km bike ride with coffee shops on the way. Lots of Playgrounds and tracks for kids. Parking in the shade. As we rode around the lake we enjoyed looking at all the marvellous houses and history
5. Arch of Victory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
6. Sovereign Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
At Sovereign Hill, the story of an important time and place in Australian History, and the people who lived it, lives on. An internationally acclaimed tourist attraction, Sovereign Hill prides itself on its close attention to detail found in every aspect of this living, outdoor museum. Sovereign Hill is a glimpse of the vigour and excitement of life on Australia’s 1850s goldfields. Visitors can find real gold in the creek – gold pans are provided and it’s ‘finders keepers’, see $150,000 worth of molten gold poured into a gleaming bar, and take in the rich program of activities, shows and demonstrations. On Main Street there are working shops, hotels and a theatre – all based on original Ballarat businesses. Visitors are able to watch goldfields tradespeople in action and take a ride around the township in a horse-drawn coach. For the brave hearted, journey underground on a gold mine tour.
Reviewed By rovership - Carlisle, United Kingdom
Luckily it was not too hot the day we visited. A lot of walking around looking at things from the past.
The self guided mine tour was great.
Seeing all the persons in the old costumes made the site almost feel authentic.
Well worth a visit, if you are in Ballarat.
7. Ballarat Wildlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 775 reviews
Regional wildlife tourism park.
Reviewed By james628 - Brandon, Florida
As we entered the park, just beyond the doorway we encountered a dozen kangaroo eagerly waiting to be fed and petted. You can buy a bucket of food for them for $4.00. Emu were parading around as well, all rather tame and not shy of people. What a way to start our experience. The kids in the park and the adults as well enjoyed being able to feed and interact with the animals. The park is well worth the entrance fee. We spent a couple of hours walking around the many wildlife exhibits. The park staff were very helpful and friendly, explaining the exhibits and animals. Tasmanian Devils, Dingo, Wombats, Echidnas, Snakes, Penquins, Alligators, Birds of Prey, many things to enjoy here.
The animals all looked very well cared for and the park was clean except for the Kangaroo poo all over, so be mindful of where you step. Enjoy.
8. Lydiard Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 187 reviews
Reviewed By nilintentum_reliquit - Melbourne, Australia
The street cuts through Sturt Street (the main thoroughfare) and is lined with some magnificent historic buildings including the infamous Craigs Hotel with it's beautiful interior classy design, the Miners Exchange with it's decorative wrought iron facade and grand Art Gallery. Towards the landmark train station are some blue stone convict brick building fronts which make great photographs.
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9. Ballarat Tramway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
The Ballarat Tramway Museum is staffed by volunteer members who are dedicated to the task of preserving and operating part of the former Ballarat street Tramways. Trams operate between 12:30 and 5:00pm every weekend and public holiday and during the Victorian school holidays. The trams run along Wendouree Parade through the beautiful and historic Botanical Gardens. Nearby Lake Wendouree is visible for most of the journey of fifteen to twenty minutes. At the Tram Depot a tram has been ingeniously converted into a display room where many tramway relics are on view. A short DVD presentation documents the history of Tramways in Ballarat. All the Museum's trams are also on display including Horse Tram No 1 from 1887. Souvenirs are available for sale both on the trams and at the Depot. The Tram Depot is open on weekends and at other times when volunteer staffing permits. It is usually open every Tuesday from 10:30am. Group visits can usually be arranged at any time for groups as diverse as schools, senior citizens and wedding parties. A recent addition to the tram fleet is "Cuthberts 939", our function tram. It is fitted with a small kitchen and is ideal for small functions (catering can be arranged). Check our web site for further information.
Reviewed By SneakerGeeker - Varies all the time
Tramway museum is a fine and comprehensive collection of rolling stock from those days long gone. All trams on display are in very good condition and the museum's active members take good care of them. We were in Ballarat on a weekday when the museum was not officially open but these gentlemen took their time to tell us about the museum and the tram traffic in Victoria. They even arranged a special ride for us alongside the beautiful lake! I strongly recommend this place for anyone interested in heritage/vintage Tramways.
10. Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka
Overall Ratings
4 based on 317 reviews
Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E), is one of Australia's newest museums, located on the site of the Eureka Stockade in Ballarat. It is a 1.5-hour drive west of Melbourne. It is a a new style of museum that uses the history and spirit of the Eureka Stockade - a group of young people standing up against injustice- in the beginnings of Australian democracy to be a catalyst for what democracy could look like today for each of us, our friends, families and communities. M.A.D.E is interactive, immersive and a sensory experience. The clever use of the latest digital technology combined with iconic artefacts such as the iconic Flag of the Southern Cross (Eureka Flag) make for a thought-provoking and exciting experience.
Reviewed By Markfrogman
Went to this place where Democracy was big part for the miners and saw the original Eureka Flag and it is huge and it also has some nice history to well worth a visit.
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