Ballarat, Australia skyline: the 35 most iconic buildings and best views in Ballarat

We had the best time at Sovereign Hill. The actors around the place were fun and friendly. We enjoyed the size of the place, walkable but lots to see and get lost in. Had a nice lunch too. Recommend the mine tour, fun tram tour down into the dark. One suggestion would be to include more info about the buildings and jobs that people did in the town. Maybe there some interactive app or something that I missed. Still had the best day and would not hesitate to recommend to anyone.

Sovereign Hill is a beautifully recreated gold rush–era town, truly a magical place! We went for a one-day visit, and while it was a bit challenging with kids, you could easily spend a full day here exploring all the exhibits and presentations (even two days if you want to see everything). We only managed to catch the gold-making demonstration, which was fantastic. The streets are stroller-accessible, though some of the shops aren’t, which is understandable given the historic setup. There’s so much history to read, see, and experience. I booked tickets via booking.me which only coat me $112 for a family one day pass. Bit of a discount there.

Husband and I loved our visit on Wednesday! We were there for roughly 5 hours and there was plenty to see and do that we didn't have much down time or waiting around. Wasn't too busy which was a bonus, so we got to quietly enjoy a lot of the experiences and shops minus the 2-3 school excursions running around, but we didn't cross paths often. The staff did a wonderful job at making the experience feel immersive and authentic, and we loved that there were things to enjoy as adults. Definitely recommend buying the mine tour or the photo time slot in advance!

This is a truly friendly and lovely park, making it a must-visit destination for a family trip. ‘The local residents’ are exceptionally welcoming and engaging to talk with, and the area offers numerous places to relax and spend time. Overall, it was an incredibly rewarding and authentic experience, far surpassing visits a simulator. Finally, the availability of refillable water throughout the town of Sovereign Hill was an absolute lifesaver.

A fantastic day or 2 out for the whole family. Step back in time and explore Australia's gold rush history. Cute shops, delicious food from a bakery to a Cafe. We live how the staff are not only in costumes but character too. The displays, tours are really well done.

I had a great experience at Sovereign Hill. The staff were friendly and made the whole visit enjoyable. It’s really interesting to see how life was during the gold rush era, the old buildings, gold panning, and demonstrations were all fantastic. A great place for families and anyone interested in history.

Took our 4 and 7 year old for their first visit. 4 kept asking when we were going to do the kids stuff as she was bored. Found her happy place at the playground. 7 year old totally enjoyed herself, dug around in the creek, panned for gold, took interest in looking at all the working old machines. Enjoyed the march by the red coats, and musket firing. Watched the running of the stamping machine, and back to the gold panning she went. Also enjoyed all of the shops selling old timers things. While it rained, it just made it more genuine and experience.

I went there today. The best thing about this gallery is location which is close to station and shopping areas. Some of the collections were amazing and visiting it is completely free of charge. Just one show these days is a paid one. There were works from a ballarat based artist which were superb. The gallery also had a gift shop to purchase souvenirs as well as a cafe for relaxing. The washrooms were very clean. The staff was really nice. Overall it was a good experience.

We liked this gallery as it was quiet and well-maintained. It wasn’t a big place, they offered about five different exhibitions, from classic paintings to modern art. They also had a small shop and a cafe on the ground floor, which was nice and cozy.

A well maintained art gallery with beautiful paintings. The guided tour was also very interesting and informative. There were some nice books in the store downstairs as well.

The gallery resides in a beautiful building that dates back to the town's gold rush boom years. Free entry to see a great collection of Australian and European art with some dating back to 1800 or earlier. There were also temporary exhibitions and modern art installations. Apparently only 2% of their art is able to be displayed there at any one time so it may be worth a follow up visit later on.

I went to the Art Gallery of Ballarat today on a Friday. It was not busy. Entry was free which is great. Only a few minutes walk from Ballarat railway station. The Gallery is very interesting with a lot of interesting arts. It's very clean and nice like a 5-star hotel. I loved and enjoyed all the arts that they displayed, really appreciate all the staff for taking care of the place so well and highly appreciate all the artists that provided their artwork there.

Beautiful art gallery with interesting and thoughtful art. Place was packed last Sunday despite the rain, the Vintage Car Show, part of Ballarat's Heritage Festival. It was free entry on that day. We had a walk through downstairs but couldn't handle the crowd so didn't make it upstairs. Will be back.

The building is absolutely lovely! It's so nice to see that it was purpose built, and continues to house many creative works of art. Highly recommend a visit if you are in Ballarat.

Visiting the zoo was such an amazing experience! It was a little under an hour and a half from Melbourne, but totally worth the drive if you have the time. The kangaroos roam free, and we even got to see a baby kangaroo up close. The koalas were adorable, and the tree kangaroo encounter was incredible. He was so gentle and soft. We called right at 9 AM to book both the koala and tree kangaroo encounters, and I definitely recommend doing the same since spots fill up quickly. The tree kangaroo experience especially felt extra special and is a little less available than the koala encounter (which was also awesome!). There was so much to see, and the huge crocodile named Crunch was unforgettable. Feeding the emu was another unique highlight, and honestly, I could’ve spent all day just hanging out and petting the kangaroos. Such a special place and I’d absolutely recommend it!

Such a great place for kids and families! We had the best time getting up close with the animals, feeding kangaroos, holding a koala, and even cuddling a wombat. The park is really clean and easy to explore in just half a day. We also loved the keeper talks, especially the crocodile and reptile ones. And to our surprise, they even have penguins here, so you don’t need to go all the way to Phillip Island to see them! Highly recommend this experience.

Absolutely wonderful, genuinely wish I could give this place more stars. Beautiful habitats, animals are clearly very well looked after. Had an absolute blast feeding the free-roaming emus and kangaroos, and the reptile and tiger presentations I attended were amazing. The staff are clearly passionate about the animals they care for and it shows. Didn’t get a lot of photos because I was too busy enjoying myself, but the park is absolutely gorgeous! Will definitely be returning!

Nice place to see Aussie animals. Able to pay additional for additional experience like tiger feeding but expensive. Some good feeding time experience with explanation with the Keepers. Kangaroos are over fed and food thrown on the ground as there is little interaction. Overall a decent visit but not worth the 2hr drive from Melbourne and back.

The Park - Ballarat Wildlife Park Ballarat's wildlife history is defined by the Ballarat Wildlife Park, founded in 1985 by Greg Parker to promote wildlife conservation and environmental education through visitor interactions. The park has grown into a major tourist attraction, housing a vast collection of Australian and international animals, including over 100 free-roaming kangaroos, and is known for its up-close encounters, hands-on experiences like feeding kangaroos and wombats, and conservation programs for endangered species such as Sumatran tigers. Key Aspects of Ballarat's Wildlife History: Establishment: Founded in 1985 by Greg Parker out of a passion for wildlife conservation. Purpose: To provide an educational and interactive environment where people can connect with Australia's native animals. Key Features: The park features free-roaming kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and crocodiles, as well as a range of reptiles, and even Sumatran tigers. Conservation Efforts: The park actively engages in conservation programs, breeding critically endangered animals like Tasmanian Devils and Sumatran tigers. Education and Interaction: Known for its hands-on experiences and educational talks by keepers, providing insights into animal behaviour and the importance of conservation. Growth: Since its opening, the park has expanded its animal collections and is recognized as one of Victoria's premier wildlife experiences. Recent Milestones: In February 2025, the Ballarat Wildlife Park celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of wildlife conservation and public engagement.

Great park. Sure its not as big as Melbourne zoo but we easily filled in 4 hours at the park. Good range of animals and the kangaroos are so friendly. Animals look well treated as well. I definitely recommend going here.

Ballarat Wildlife Park offers an immersive experience where kangaroos hop freely, koalas nestle in eucalyptus trees, and the reptile house hums with quiet intensity. The earthy scent of native bushland mixes with fresh hay, and birdsong echoes gently across the grounds. A visit that feels authentically Australian. Recommended, especially with little ones.

A beautifully maintained and peaceful spot! Ballarat Botanical Gardens is nicely arranged and was already showing signs of vibrant life as it gets ready for the spring bloom. The avenue of former Prime Ministers' statues adds a historical touch. Plenty of black swans and coots from the nearby lake add to the charm. Great for a relaxed, scenic walk. 🌿🦢🌼

The Ballarat Botanical Gardens are an absolute gem and one of the city’s greatest treasures. The Gardens are perfectly situated by the edge of Lake Wendouree. They are beautifully maintained, offering a peaceful retreat with stunning seasonal displays. The Begonia Conservatory is always a highlight— especially during the Begonia Festival —showcasing world-class floral arrangements that brighten the entire space. What makes the gardens truly special is the mix of heritage and natural beauty. The grand old trees, statues, and historic Prime Ministers Avenue give a sense of history, while the wide lawns and vibrant flowerbeds invite you to simply relax, picnic, or stroll at your own pace. It’s also very family-friendly, with plenty of open space for kids to run around, and the nearby lake paths are ideal for walking or cycling. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Ballarat Botanical Gardens are a must-see — peaceful, picturesque, and a wonderful way to spend a few hours immersed in nature.🌹

We spent the whole day here and had so much fun. Such a beautiful spot. And the kids enjoyed it too. We made a competition about how many statues we could find. Large wooden playground as well and plenty of parking. Good amount of toilet blocks spread out around the area.

A very nicely set out Botanical Gardens. Well maintained. There is a lake nearby as well as a tourist tram. The Avenue of the Former Prime Ministers Statues along the main path in the gardens was interesting to see. It is a peaceful place to have a walk through or to sit and rest. Well worth a look to see.

Ballarat Botanical Gardens is a beautiful, peaceful escape by Lake Wendouree. The gardens blend history, art, and nature perfectly, featuring grand trees, colourful flowerbeds, and the famous Prime Ministers Avenue. The glasshouse and fernery are must-sees, while the lakeside paths are ideal for walks and picnics. It’s well-maintained, family-friendly, and offers seasonal beauty year-round. A true gem showcasing Ballarat’s charm and heritage relaxing, educational, and inspiring all at once.

The Sequoia avenue is well worth the visit. It gives you an appreciation of these magnificent trees. The glasshouse is beautiful to look at and has a lovely display inside. The markets on a Sunday were fun too.

First time visiting in August and the gardens were beautiful, even in Winter. Would love to go back in Spring sometime and see all the flowers in bloom.

Very good to learn about the Eureka Stockade and the stories surrounding the events. Lots of great artifacts, imagery and articles that tell of the historic event. We spent about 2 hours here, including inside the museum and also walking around the memorials outside. Kids would probably get bored quickly.

This place is very informative. The presentation of the visual presentations is excellent. It is very engaging and interactive to all ages. The flag is amazing. The entry fee is cheap, and the staff were friendly and helpful. We took the opportunity to also walk around the grounds of the centre, this was fascinating.

We were pleasantly surprised how informative and setup this museum was. It gave a very in-depth look at the history of the Eureka Stockade through displays and interactive displays. Also monuments in the park outside.

Absolutely brilliant measure of the Eureka Stockade. Lovely parklands and great for picnic. Wonderful play ground for kids and rugby next to the Eureka Aquatic centre and Eureka Stockade Caravan park.

Value for money. We loved our visit, so interesting and informative. Interactive screens as well as videos and artefacts from the gold rush days. The story of Eureka and the flag is captivating... lots to do and see in the parkland that surrounds the building, too.

Excellent facility to learn an important piece of Australian history. Displays inside and memorials outside. Lily's cafe on sites.

What a fantastic place to learn about The Eureka Stockade, loads of info & interactive tutorials, memorabilia and cheap entry.

We hosted our son’s 3rd Birthday party at the Ballarat Tramway Museum and had a blast! The private room was warm, clean and large enough for all our party guests. Everyone (young and old) had so much fun exploring the museum and on the tram ride. The team members working were lovely, and the shop well stocked with nice gifts. We will definitely go back again! ☺️

It was our first time visiting the Ballarat Tramway Museum, and we had a great experience as a group of four. For my wife and me, it was our first time riding a historic tram like this — although the journey was short, it was really enjoyable. While our parents thought old trams were nothing special, for us it was something totally new and exciting! Riding along the lake while taking in the beautiful scenery made it even better. We also took the chance to visit the Ballarat Botanical Gardens nearby. Highly recommended!

Worth a visit. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Nice museum layout + kids enjoyed tram ride.

An interesting place with a lot of history about trams. The kids’ play and drawing area was a nice touch, and they really enjoyed dressing up as ticket collectors. The tram service was good, though not particularly exciting. I did feel the ticket prices were a bit on the higher side for what was on offer. Still, it’s worth a visit if you’re into trams, probably an hour or two would be enough to explore everything.

Great experience at the tramway museum topped off with a tram ride along the lake. Lots of displays to look at along with information displays.

The Ballarat Tram Museum is a fascinating glimpse into the city’s rich transport heritage. Located in the historic South Depot beside Lake Wendouree, it showcases beautifully restored trams that once ran through Ballarat’s streets. Visitors can explore vintage vehicles, photographs, and memorabilia, and even enjoy a heritage tram ride around the lake. Run by passionate volunteers, the museum offers an engaging experience for all ages — blending nostalgia, history, and hands-on learning in one charming destination.

Went on a daytrip today to the Ballarat Tramway Museum, Ballarat Botanical Gardens and Lake Wendouree. Your tram museum entrance fee includes a ride in a vintage tram along Lake Wendouree and there is a tram stop on the short line (just the one) where you can alight to walk across to the Botanical Gardens. You can travel as often on the tram as you like so if your a fanatic you can ride it all day long - ting ting. Once again it's a museum that relies solely on volunteers to keep it going so support retaining your history by visiting!

One of the very few railway stations which still carries the legacy British architecture. Given Ballarat being regional the clean air and surroundings just adds to the beauty.

Here we stand at the terminus of Victoria’s first inland railway line, opened between Geelong and Ballarat on 12 April 1862. Other than for minor alterations, the complex retains its original lay-out, built to the highest engineering standards to showcase the Victorian- era city of Ballarat, literally built on the great riches extracted from local gold mines from 1851. The precinct is of state and national significance because of its combination of historical, architectural, social and technological values. Facing the passenger station, ahead of you, you see the majestic station train hall, clock tower, platforms and semaphore signal gantry. Turning in an arc to your left, you see the Ballarat bluestone goods shed, the brick freight forwarding office and, on the western side of Lydiard St, adjacent to the operational railway gates, the stately timber signal box (known as Ballarat ‘B’). Note the metal rods hanging under the signal box. These are connected to levers inside the signal box. Before upgrading of signalling and the gates to electrical operation in recent years, these levers were connected to the gantry semaphore signals and the gates as part of an integrated, manual, mechanical train control system known as INTERLOCKING.

Nice , Clean 👌

This poor no contact number how.can U arask Ballarat railway stations important question with out a phone number

Great old station in the centre of town. A short walk to shops and pubs.

Crown cabs Ballarat 👍

This is one of the main park in Ballarat. I really love going for a walk here. It helped me calm myself down.

Victoria Park in Ballarat is a gem of open space and serenity. The vast grounds stretch out beneath towering, shady avenues of mature elms and oaks, their leaves whispering in the breeze. The scent of eucalyptus and freshly cut grass lingers in the air, especially near the well-kept sports ovals and cricket nets. Birdsong echoes across the parklands, blending with the distant thud of footballs and the laughter of children. Whether you're walking, cycling, or just soaking in the calm, there's a quiet dignity to this place that invites you to slow down and breathe. A true community treasure.

Great location for music concert. We took the train to Wendouree, strolled through the Botanic Gardens and then the concert to save the expense of the $50 (for 2) shuttle.

Inspired by Trees full of ancient knowledge and wisdom. Original designs C.R.W ©️

Victoria Park is used occasionally for live music performances. The setup is very well organised with loads of space and many food / drink options. As a live music space I rate Victoria Park 5 stars. No idea how it performs as a local sporting venue.

Absolutely an amazing park. Your can literally spend all day here. Very well fenced, great for picnic, plenty of shade, clean toilets. It also had couple of sand area for kids to play. There was also a very water 💦 playing area but it was closed. It would be great if they displayed the opening times for the water area. Plenty of parking available outside and close to the playground.

A very wide open park which is absolutely great for taking the dog for a walk / run off-leash! There are a few tracks throughout the park for walks/runs, and a few points of interesting within the park. The children's play area is at one side, alongside a small golf course. Most of the park is wheelchair friendly. Highly recommended for dog owners to take their pup!

Historically very interesting, friendly knowledgeable staff, interesting trip around Mars...beautiful old telescopes, especially the Baker, would have loved to have looked through that..but not enough time was allowed to view the heavens through the telescopes outside as the time was taken up by the preamble inside. The sky was clear when we started the second lecture, although interesting, possibly it would have been to everyones advantage to have posponed second lecture for time outside as when we finally got to the telescopes the sky had clouded over, very disappointing!! All we got was a brief look at Jupiter!

Went here after finishing the tour from souvenir hill . The staff was super friendly and showed and explained each and everything very precisely and like family. Also seen the historical telescope 🔭

What a delight! I’d visited Ballarat many times but was unaware of the Observatory; I’m so pleased I saw their brochure in the Tourist Information Centre. I went up to the Observatory and Museum on an 18-stop walking tour through Mt Pleasant, Ballarat’s oldest suburb. Such a warm welcome. I was the only visitor at that time but was kindly given a brief (fascinating) tour. I’d love to come back when night-sky viewings or other events are on and when the 3rd Rock Cafe is in full swing.

Unfortunately it was too overcast to use the telescope. Had to watch movies about science subjects, would have been alot better if we at least got to see a movie about the stars or planets etc. We came to visit Ballarat to see the observatory. Disappointed.

A marvellous place to search the skies.

I had the best time here tonight. Have lived in Ballarat all my life and its taken me this long to come but so glad I did. Our guide went above and beyond to ensure that we got to see all 5 planets out at the moment before the clouds came over even going to the lengths of trimming a near by bush that was partially blocking our vision. She was very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions! I feel so lucky to live so close by and will be back! Thankyou

The old buildings are amazing and the volunteers who were explaining what we were seeing through the very old telescope were enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. I recommend going to one of their events but bring the insect repellant to ward off the mosquitoes

First time dining in and we definitely be back with my kids again, we love the food. The chefs and staffs are so friendly. And the food is so yummy 🙌🏼 highly recommended the ramen and pork belly 😅 plus the yummy tiramisu dessert is so good 🥰 and love my cocktail drink too 🥰

Lucky enough to get a table during White Night and very impressed with how calm and welcoming the staff were, considering it was crazy busy. Lovely fit out. Highly recommend for a leisurely drink, or there are enough nice-sounding snacks for a full meal.

I chilled out here twice with a glass of wine before going back to my campsite. Beautiful historic interior that’s been restored really well I reckon! The wine selection is excellent and the team is really friendly and attentive. So I’ll visit each 4th Saturday of the month when I do the Ballarat Farmers Market with my Cejuvenate Orange Peel Powder stall. Well done everybody!

Came for an impromptu mid week dinner and had an excellent meal and cocktail. We had the pork belly and tuna cerviche and gnocchi which was perfection. The gin sour cocktail also delicious and service was excellent!

What a fabulous place!!! Nearly walked by as you can't see from outside how amazing this place is. It was freezing & as soon as we walked in it was so warm, fire place, attentive staff & amazing wine. Taylor was fantastic with his wine knowledge & people skills, so much so that we came back for dinner the next night. Food was delicious, potato pizza & polenta chips 👌 also thanks to Meg & Chloe. ❤ We will be back next time we visit Ballarat. Jackie & Mark

Such a charming space to relax and sample some beautiful cheese and wine! Just the building itself is worth the visit. The service was so warm and welcoming, we loved hearing about the history of the building from the wonderful guy who served us. When asked he was so enthusiastic about sharing the history despite being very busy. Such a lovely experience.

Wondering around Ballarat following a self guided ‘ghost tour’ (ghost images of old heritage signage on walls) we stumble upon this really really cool venue. As soon as you walk in you known your are in somewhere special, this place rocks. Great wines and a good menu (although we only had deserts so can’t comment on the meals). Such a cool vibe and one to revisit for sure 💯% 💥.

What a beautiful tribute memorial. Easily accessible for prams, wheelchairs etc. All even ground, with wide path. Beautiful landscape near Lake Wendouree. Plenty of parking in the surrounding area.

A marvellous memorial honouring the 36,000 men and women who’ve served time as prisoners of the many wars of our history. A special thank you to the incredible locals who left a basket full of poppies to place on the wall. This was unexpected but very appreciated and allowed us to honour our great-grandfather personally.

Quite an amazing war memorial. I think there were over 35,000 Australian prisoners of war since the Boer war, and all their names are on this monument. Definitely worth a visit.

This is a very touching and also spectacular monument to the numerous Australian soldiers and servicemen that served during multiple wars, it's well maintained and situated not far from the nearby lake.

Exemplary specialised memorial covering the Boer War, WW1, WW2, and Korean War. Be sure the check the Addendum section at the end for names that are still being added. Very pleased to see a separate stone commemorating the Montevideo Maru, and of course my uncle's name. Lark Force and the 2/22nd Battalion, I salute you!

Absolutely love this place. It is so well done and well presented and maintained. Its an honour to what these men and women went through for our freedom.

Very sombre place. Never forget our founders sacrifices.

Excellent place to visit if you are visiting Ballarat. Not many people were around when we went there. You will have to for about 4 floors to get view point. It's pretty cold up there. It's worth going and enjoy Ballarat view from top.

Amazing views!

A great place for a hike. There are lots of different level tracks to walk on. From the top of the tower there is a beautiful view. Lots of animals to see if you're lucky enough. It was very muddy, though. Still a great place.

If you like to hike, that's a place. But if you are like me, minimum physical abilities, you can drive up to the mountain and come down. As usual, surrounding scene are breathtaking. But there's no guide, no one to help or no caves to visit. MUST carry a compass and a satellite phone for safety.

Excellent place for a day out with family or do the 20 minutes to 1 hour long walk. Very easy access.

Great view from the top of the tower looking out to Ballarat. There are also several other walks around the park.

If you're after beautiful scenery and friendly hospitality in the countryside, then Buninyong is worth visiting. The town itself has that old world charm. I loved the architecture of many of the older buildings. Mount Buninyong has some bush walking tracks to build your fitness levels up! 😀 This is a town I will definitely visit again.

great and very good informative display.

A nice place to enjoy aviation engines and history. Small museum, but anyone who is interested in aviation, may enjoy spending 1 hour here. Ticket: $10 each adult, $20 for famiy.

Absolutely amazing collection of the WWII artefacts and light aircraft. Highly recommend.

For the aviation enthusiast and history takers...you will definately get out of this place with some bit of history. Different types of engines and planes on display with bits of history to go with it.

Fantastic local museum, some great artefacts!

Small but well stocked museum with a nice gentlemen looking after it.

Some old uniforms, pictures, airplane parts, and more. Not much to see to be honest. Probably the best part of it is if they'll allow you to check the actual airplanes at the hangar (They're not part of the museum but the guy who runs the place allowed us to check the planes, with his supervision of course as they're privately owned. My kid enjoyed it as she's able to see actual real planes up close.) Fairly priced.

Great new artist Geoff Wallace with his mixed media. Come down and have a chat about the world, art and life.

Does not sell stamps

Only aboriginal art. Small free gallery

Great had a good time

Great

A very nice station that serves the town of Ballarat. The old building that is used to operate this station has been kept in good condition since it has been built. Train services to and from Melbourne are very frequent so you won't have to wait long.

Ballarat Railway Station is situated at the heart of this historic gold-mining town, its solemn and elegant architecture seemingly narrating the prosperity and bustling activity of the 19th-century gold rush. Since the arrival of the railway, it has served not only as a vital hub for the daily commutes of local residents but also as a repository of countless memories of prospectors embarking on their journeys toward dreams. The tracks on the platform stretch and wind, as if linking the past with the present, bearing witness to the town’s transformation from a gold rush boomtown to a modern city. Every stone and wooden window carries the weight of time, echoing the roar of passing trains and recording stories of gatherings, farewells, and hope. As an important historical landmark of Ballarat, the station is more than just a transport facility; it is a guardian of the town’s culture and collective memory, irresistibly drawing visitors into its profound sense of history.

Been coming into ballarat to and from Melbourne city ballarat station is main big station of ballarat gold field city station looks nice on outside station is at heart of city

The staff are always so helpful and kind! The trains can get packed at times, but the service has always been on time when we've used it and the trains are clean and comfortable. Toilets aboard as well as water stations. A very nice touch, wish Adelaide would take a leaf out of Vic's public transport. The V-Line to Adelaide (train/bus combo) is also very good value, comfortable and reliable. 10/10 recommend!

Reasonably well maintained train station. Near the centre of town. Nice old building. Cafe on site.

Beautiful ancient structure with an easy access to the station with a drop off area. Bus station located right outside the railway station which makes commuting very easy and convenient. Bricks, arches, wooden bridge and steel columns add a character to the whole place.

A beautiful and well run station, originally designed as for a capital city, (they thought it was going to be until Canberra was realised) Interesting architecture from 1880s provides eye catching angles and photogenic nooks

This Catholic church in Ballarat has a peaceful and sacred atmosphere, perfect for quiet reflection. The church is handmade and has stood the test of time, rich with history and craftsmanship. A beautiful and spiritual place to visit, especially for those who appreciate historical architecture and serene environments.

St. Patrick's Cathedral in Ballarat Central is a stunning architectural gem, offering a serene and historic atmosphere for visitors to experience. Definitely a place of praise and worship for all churchgoer.

Visited in early April recently. The stained glass windows were quite interesting.

We enjoyed a fabulous Candlelight Concert from the very talented string quartet, entertaining us with the music of Queen. Brilliant!

Loved the music, but thought the cost of the tickets, was a bit too expensive for the average person.

Beautiful church! Solemn 5pm Mass on Sundays welcoming all cultures.

I saw my 2 beautiful granddaughters undergo a baptism. It is certainly a beautiful church.

Photos don't really do this place justice. Fit out is excellent, vibe is great. Staff were friendly, food was delicious and crafted. Chai was 10/10 (not an easy score by my standards). Vegan bircher was perfect—my daughter loved it. Open fire was on and was super cozy. Will def recommend to people and be back asap.

Nice place with great atmosphere. Very busy & bookings a must. Coffee came out cold however Milkshake was good. 27 mins for order to come and egg and bacon roll nice but eggs Benedict was Soooo small. If you’re a guy you’ll be disappointed. Meh

Perfect. Attended twice this Easter weekend [2024]. On both occasions the staff were friendly, efficient, hard working, wonderful. Left me feeling happy from arrival to leaving. I really enjoyed the atmosphere/environment. The food and coffee exceeded my expectations. See photos. Thank you. I look forward to my next visit. Working my way through the menu.

Arrived in Melbourne from NZ, drove to Ballarat, straight to Johnny’s for coffee and breakfast, wasn’t disappointed! Fab Coffee, yummy food, excellent service and great vibe 🙌

A really lovely venue, it was fully booked when we walked in but you never feel like you’re on top of everyone else. The staff are fantastic! Attentive and willing to assist at any time. The menu is awesome, with a mix of standard cafe fare with some delicious brunch options as well - plus a few alcoholic options if brunch turns into lunch or beyond! I tried the chilli crab scrambles, but also immediately had good envy when the I saw someone who’d ordered the French toast - oh well, I’ll just have to come back now to try those! Coffee was delicious - anywhere that has a batch brew, you know they know coffee. Definitely a must try venue. 👌🏾

Wife and I went for breakfast on a Tuesday morning, very busy but understandably so. Service was excellent. Best black coffee I’ve had in ages. Perfect temperature as well. The danishes were immaculate. The chili crab scramble was an absolute masterpiece. Reasonably priced too. Overall, fantastic place, will be a consistent stop travelling through Ballarat in the future. Compliments to the chefs and staff. Highly recommended.

Lovely atmosphere, particularly the brickwork and fireplace. Delicious food served quickly.

We had an incredible time at the Gin Making Masterclass at Kilderkin Distillery! From the moment we walked through the door, the staff were warm and welcoming, setting the tone for a fantastic experience. The venue is charming, and their gin is absolutely top-notch. The class itself was brilliant—Steve and Rebecca were amazing hosts, guiding us step by step as we crafted our own gin from scratch. It was fascinating to learn about the process and what goes into creating such a unique spirit. To finish the night we got to sample our very own gin, paired perfectly with a delicious cheese platter. Thank you to the whole team for such a fun and memorable experience!

Cannot thank Martin and the team enough for all they did to ensure a fabulous 50th celebration. Every need met - ideas, room layout, music, band support and personalised cocktails! Simplicity and service meant we all were able to just relax and enjoy the evening. Some locals have discovered a new favourite they didn’t know existed and our “out-of-towners” got a taste of the amazing secrets Ballarat holds. Thankyou Team Kilderkin for your service, suggestions and amazing space! GIN-elle

We loved it so much here we invited three other groups to come here with us in the next few months, right while we were there. Divine atmosphere, professional hospitality with expert knowledge, and absolutely lush gin. We love love loved it snd will bring our friends and family back with us.

We recently had our wedding reception at Kilderkin and have absolutely nothing but positive things to say about Lionel and the staff. Organising this on very short notice, Lionel was extremely accommodating and hospitable. He supported us through the whole process, providing food & beverage packages and helping us with ideas that suited our budget and preferences. The food and beverages were great, with multiple options for dietary requirements and preferences - all the guests enjoyed everything on offer. Kilderkin takes pride in supporting local produce, but without skimping on quality. Our night was a great success, made even greater by the service and leadership provided by Lionel and his staff. ATTN: Ballarat locals and visitors - get to Kilderkin for either a casual visit or to host your functions ASAP!

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. The gin tasting was excellent and the crunchy tatties (their version of chunky potatoes) were really delicious. Well worth the visit!

Kilderkin is a fantastic distillery with a great selection of gins and liquors. The staff were friendly and extremely knowledgeable, while also sharing their passions for craft and flavour. We even had live music which contributed to the fantastic atmosphere. Pay them a visit if you’re in Ballarat!

We went to Kilderkin to see Phil Lester and Shona Williams for St Andrew's Day. Absolutely loved the whole evening, beautiful gin, haggis bap roll, wonderful Scottish music and great venue.

Thought we would check out the centre as they have first 2 hours free parking. Pity that out of the 3 elevators none are working. Not too bad if you can uses the stairs but useless when you have someone in a wheelchair who you need to push up and down 4 levels. We wont be back.

Lots of option in terms if stores, however required some make up and make it more shining and bright. To attract people has to run some activities, performance and some local ads. Stores can make some business out of that, since all are not national chain. Council can make it an attractive place for shopping, fun and kids place.

Got threatened to get the cops called on me and banned for being in parking lot, whilst I was in school uniform as well, like bro I ain’t gonna do anything, it made me a bit scared to be honest like I didn’t do anything wrong

It's a shopping centre. 🛍 Banks, Post Office, News Agent. Food court. Popular chain stores. Enter from the street - or go through Myers. Toilets. It's got most of what you want.

I have not been into "Central Square Shopping Centre" for many years now! The Building looks lovely still, and the "Myer Store" inside is lovely 😊 Now Garry - which perfume was I supposed to get?! 💍 🤣 🥰 A lot of the shops from way back in 1997 to today have changed though! Older and wiser may be the reason why? 🧓👴

Loved shopping at TARGET. Much more variety and styles available tha in Melbourne.

If I couldn’t give this place zero stars I would! Not because of the shops or the shop workers, they are all lovely. It’s the security and centre management that need to be booted out and replaced! Every time I am here shopping with my kids we are always seeing people stealing from the shops and security doing absolutely nothing! Just standing there with the hands on their pocket doing nothing! The amount of workers in the centre who have said they are struggling due to stealing and security not helping is appalling! I feel so sorry for all the workers there who have to deal with this. The management also don’t do anything to help the workers! They just make passive aggressive comments about how the workers should be more alerted by this! So disgusting and I really hope that one day this centre can have great security and management that helps the workers and makes them feel safe.

a lovely experience. The location is fantastic, offering a peaceful and quiet environment perfect for a relaxing stay. The rooms were nice and clean, which we really appreciated. With the cold weather we appreciated the electric blanket. The shower was perfect with great water pressure . Great Price too compared to other motels and hotels in the area. The gentleman at the desk was cheerful and polite- I will definitely stay again.

We recently stayed at this motel and had a lovely experience. The location is fantastic, offering a peaceful and quiet environment perfect for a relaxing stay. The rooms were nice and clean, which we really appreciated. With the cold weather we appreciated the electric blanket. My only issue was disappointment the spa was not working, a relaxing bath even without spa working would have been good. The shower was perfect with great water pressure . Sad about the lack of dishwashing liquid to clean dishes and some cutlery/plates for food, luckily we had a few pieces with us. Other than that, everything was great. The overall cleanliness and tranquility made it a pleasant stay. Great Price too compared to other motels and hotels in the area. The gentleman at the desk was cheerful and polite- we will definitely stay again. A 240v USB charging port would have been handy.

Our room was very comfortable and roomy, and had great off road parking. It was a very quiet location and walking distance to shops, restaurants and the Eureka Stockade site. Management was very helpful in pointing out locations of places of interest in the area.

Was in town for a football carnival, the location was spot on. There's an IGA supermarket, cafe with great coffee/food, and a chemist within a few hundred meters of the motor inn. The rooms were nice and clean, and the owners/managers were only too happy to help with any request. Nice and quiet, had a good mix of singles and families staying at the time. A good allrounder would be my take on this, price was good too. Would recommend to others for sure.

The room was very spacious and clean. Our room was in the back, so it was quiet. Easy to check In as well.. The staff advised of places to eat and things to do in the area. Having a spa bath to relax in after spending the day at Sovereign Hill was a bonus. We will come back here again. Thank you

Very clean and comfortable room! The bed was great, the heater worked well, the shower was fantastic and the spa was a real treat! Great location, friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommended!!

Great hotel on a battle axe block on a major highway from the freeway. What a great quiet sleep I had. No road noises at all. Best sleep for a while travelling on the roads and sleeping in hotels for work. Easy access to car parking in front of room. No restaurants around so need to head into town for eating. Beware of high vehicle 4wd access entering premises. Check before booking. Nice clean rooms and comfortable bedding.

Was here in early April. Made a stop in Ballarat to look around the place after spending 2 nights in the Grampians. Last came to Ballarat 40 years ago to visit Sovereign Hill. The town hall building is impressive. The staff at the visitor centre were friendly and engaging. Along Sturt street nearby are also some places of interest - Cenotaph, George V statue.

An absolute treasure. A highlight of Ballarat and Sturt Street. Beautiful architecture that needs to be seen from as many vantage points as possible. It takes on a different look depending on the time of day. Photographers tend to get the most dramatic captures at sunset. Night time is also special.

The Ballarat Town Hall, a significant architectural landmark, was constructed in 1870-72, incorporating the 1860 Police Court, and features a central clock tower with the "Alfred Bells". It's a fine example of Palladian Victorian architecture, with the exterior design by J.T. Lorenz and interior design by H.R. Caselli. Here's a more detailed look at the Ballarat Town Hall's history: The Third Town Hall: The current Ballarat Town Hall is actually the third one built in the city, with the first wooden structure burning down in a fire. Architectural Competition: A competition was held in 1868 to design the new Town Hall, with 13 architects participating. Architects Involved: The winning interior design was by Henry R. Caselli, while the exterior design was by J.T. Lorenz, who placed third in the competition. Percy Oakden, who came in second, was appointed as the official architect. Construction and Completion: Construction began in 1870, with the foundation stone laid in January of that year. The building was completed in 1872, after a few delays. "Alfred Bells": The eight "Alfred Bells" in the clock tower were purchased to celebrate the arrival of Prince Alfred after an attempted assassination. Architectural Style: The Town Hall is a grand example of Classical Revival-style architecture. Significance: The Ballarat Town Hall is an important building in the streetscape and townscape of the city, with considerable historical associations and architectural importance. Unique Features: The building is one of the earliest and most substantial town halls in Victoria, and one of the few with a central clock tower and a peal of bells. Refurbishment: The Town Hall underwent refurbishment in 1912, including the addition of a new enlarged Council Chamber and reception rooms, along with a complete refitting of the municipal offices. Historical Collections: The City of Ballarat has a vast historical collection, including photographic records of Councillors and Mayors since around the 1870s. They also have 3D scans of items from the historic collections vault available for viewing and download. Community Hub: The Ballarat Town Hall has been at the center of social and community life in Ballarat since the first Town Hall was built in 1856.

During the golden hour, Ballarat Town Hall emanates a timeless elegance against a backdrop of warm hues, offering a picturesque sight worth witnessing.

Beautiful building housing the Visitor Centre.

It was my great experience to see inside the Ballarat town hall during a heritage week. Loved all the decorations and all furniture back in gold era. I hope the council will keep the Victorian vibe in the hall and won't put too much urbanism into our old town hall.

The gold rush period building that is beautifully restored building with lots of architectural and sculptural details, definitely worth a look inside. Visitors Information Centre is at the rear but up the exquisite staircase leads to the Council chambers as well as Mayor's room, visiting dignitaries area, spacious & richly period decorated meeting rooms. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable.

Having been to the Blood on the Southern Cross experience a few years ago, this was a huge let down for myself and my friend who was a first-time visitor to Sovereign Hill. Starting with the initial 3D show which talked more about the big bang and the creation of the universe, with only the last minute or so leading to the creation of gold. The experience in the middle on indigenous history and folklore was interesting but didn't seem to tie in with the history of SH. You have to also be prepared to stand for this experience. The final experience about the actual gold rush, eureka rebellion etc was the interesting part but terribly long-winded. All interspersed by two bus rides that took up about 15 mins of the 90 mins. I felt sorry for families with young children who were probably promised this amazing sound and light show, which in the end was boring.

I attended the Aurora light show which ended up being a 3-part adventure. Please read on where I reveal my thoughts and observations. The first part of the journey was a visit to the planetarium, where we were presented with a short movie about planets and solar systems. I did not realise people who mined for gold in Ballarat were so interested in stargazing. Fascinating. Between each show, we rode on electric busses which I didn't know existed in the 19th century so to say I was surprised would be an understatement. The Starwars music during each bus ride to the different parts of the show was most amusing. Following a pseudo-science lesson on space, the second part lead us to a projection on a hill where we were required to stand. Unfortunately I was unable to see the majority of the projections, but based on what I was able to hear, it sounded like a fairytale about a small group of birds that created the earth and man, a rather intriguing tale indeed. The final part of the journey was to a building that featured wall projections. After a short while it suddenly opened into a wider outdoor stage, impressed by this display I was anticipating a grand finale fueled by the advertising I had been exposed to. During the show, multiple fires broke out, people were shot and one of the larger buildings burst into flames. It was a sincerely sad event, there were no ambulances or fire trucks to come to the aid of these men and the buildings in which they inhabited. I can only imagine such things did not exist in the 19th century so they remained true to the era and let the men perish and buildings collapse. After these devastating turn of events, we were able to exit back on the electric busses and make our way back safely. During the trip back no one spoke about what happened, I believe this was out of respect. Overall the technology used was very out-of-date, I'm unsure why they didn't hire real actors.

As a Christian family, we didn't appreciate the 3D movie of the Big Bang theory being presented as if it were fact. Our kids also didn't understand nor enjoy the whole Aboriginal component; again just Aboriginal myth being presented as if it were facts just instilled confusion in our kids. We did, however enjoy the actual Eureka Stockade component and thought it was very well done.

This is experience was ok. I was under the impression we would see the show around the streets of Sovereign Hill. But it started with a long winded 3D movie of the beginning of space and eventually how gold formed, then a bus to a standing outdoor theatre for an Aboriginal story on the beginning of earth. Then another bus to a seated theatre that after a cartoon story the wall opened to an outdoor stage with projections of actors on tents and buildings to finally tell the story of the Eureka Stockade. Overall I felt a little underwhelmed by the whole show, at least it wasn’t expensive.

Awesome ,professional and creative .A fantastic history lesson which we are glad we saw before we go for the day visit to Sovereign Hill ...Such great value for money..All the family loved it (3 to 58 year olds) Thank you

Very very well done. Loved the Christmas in July theme. And the live diarama was brilliant

What a spectacular experience this was, the amount of dedication the staff put into this event is unbelievable. If you haven't been since you were a kid, 100% recommend to check this out. I will say that it seemed the kids under 10 seemed to be a bit scared/bored/tired (as this is a night time outdoor event) so perhaps for the older kids. The fact you get to see Sovereign Hill out of the standard hours, and the ride on the carts they have take you to an area you don't get to see during the day. Would again 100% recommend to go if you haven't had the opportunity to see this one. Loved every minute.

Arguably, the most reverent church worship in Ballarat. Awesome teachings, music, prayer and community. It's got everything you could want.

A beautiful cathedral that worships God and Jesus Christ openly.

They do a free breakfast every week day lovely people who organise breakfast Makes you feel welcome every time

Very welcoming and also great preaching of the gospel.

I have supported this church for multiple generations and it's a great place to hang out with your priest friends

We went here for the Christmas eve service. Very high Anglican, but was an interesting service to see.

Nice food people

I would not recommend this day spa. Terrible customer service. I purchased an online voucher 5 days ago (Saturday). The voucher was purchased as a gift for an event that weekend, that is why I purchased online...for a quick delivery. I called the day spa twice on the Saturday, following up on the status of the voucher. No answer, so I left a message both times. I did not receive any return phone calls or the voucher until today (Thursday). The manager only returned my call today, after I called again, leaving a third message. As I said, this voucher was a gift and because I had not heard back from this day spa for 5 days, I purchased an alternative gift. After a discussion on the phone and a request for a refund (as I live 3.5 hours away and have no use for the voucher), things continued to go around in circles. The manager said that I was wasting her time. She ended the phone call by hanging up on me.

was abit sheepish to go to a day spa i thought it be good to see why the bridle party was going there so off me and my best man went Lydia meet us gave us a glass of wine looked at vic smiled said bit posh off we went to different rooms got my hands done and my bushy eye brows done well ladies it dose hurt a bit after that done got some cream stuff put on my face at the wedding everybody was saying i was glowing i said thank my day spa lol.

Tried to get an appt was simply told none were available, no apologies, no suggestions of other options or next available option.

I was running late nearly 15 mins. they did text to say they had given my spot away but I recieved it when I attended the waiting room. 15 mins they asked me to wait and 45 mins later they offered to start my massage that would have extended outside trading hours... I wasn't comfortable as the masseur didn't speak fluent English and I was confused until another lady was called to translate. I just left in the end but enjoyed waiting in.the warm waiting room. note- despite being told they offered a health rebate, I learned in the end they don't.

Worst massage ever, she obviously had no training at all, just slapped on oil and slid her hands up and down my back. I was a walk-in and checked if a 1hr appointment was available ,which it was, paid for 1hr but only got 30 minutes. Stay away

I love ❤ Amy she is a beautiful lady

Excellent place to see live music.

Went to see Parrawung in the Sky very hard to hear what the singers were saying. Seats very hard for sitting 2 hrs, especially my 85 yr old mum. But the show was ok , lucky on the wall they had projected Text, because you couldn't understand what was being sung you could sort of understand the story. Hopefully all the hundreds of kids could follow the story, but most around us looked very confused, very well behaved school kids Somthing different.

Great venue, its the staff that let it down. Asking us to leave 10 mins after the show to apparently to clean up. Not sure what needed cleaning up, the room was empty.Even a male security came into the female toilets to lock up. There are nice ways to clear people, they choose the rude way.

A great concert venue. Staff are welcoming. It's a clean venue, not to big or not to small. Sound is not to loud and it's easy to navigate around.

Had some issues getting tickets online and Spoke with an amazing lady Named Nikki and she went absolutely out of her way to help, we got it sorted and I’m stoked. Keep up the Great work 👏 - The show was amazing 👍

Went to visit an antique fair there. Not a big town hall but ceiling is pretty impressive.

Would not recommend. Although the venue is gorgeous, customer service is some of the worst I have ever seen. Staff were not helpful when I was asking why I was moved to the upper balcony upon arrival, and when asking for a refund after booking a General Admission to a show (where I was not placed in GA), they said that they couldn’t fix my problem or give me a refund.

Nice interior, space is warm has 2 projection screens.

Nice, calm, and peace place for pray. We came here during the wait of our child on FDP Basketball Training in Ballarat. This church is smaller than St. Patrick’s Ballarat, but the people is not. So when we here on mother’s day, the church 3/4 full. Love to come here, they also have nice building cathedral look like, I guess it because of the architecture of old churches are similiar. Not many kids join the masa, unfortunately. Only the family who want babtised their children.

a place I love to visit with parish priests that I love to listen to.thanks Jorge, Barry, Peter and Adrian.

Interesting old church

Beautiful church in a top location in Sturt st Ballarat

A beautiful historical church

Beautiful, loving church of Christ

Charming childhood home cottage of the artist. Now run by volunteers as a craft store. Set amongst a serene cottage garden that’s great to sit in on a hot sunny day for relief.

Wonderful craft shop

The bells every week are beautiful. A peal is always welcomed sound at my house. Doors and windows are wide open when I hear them. Beautifully maintained garden and welcoming people there.

Great concert by Martin Setchell. Excellent programme on the Hill Norman and Beard organ of music very suited to the instrument. Luckily the day was cooler, but there was still a bit of trouble with cyphers, needing the organist to turn off the wind and start again... But Martin Setchell did very well and changed a piece in the programme. I want to get him for a recital at Trinity U.C. Black St, Brighton on our amazing Fincham organ. 👏 Martin Setchell.

Beautiful building and a lovely place of worship. A very welcoming place for all.

stopped out the back in the lane way for a rest. beautiful building from the outside

Wonderful church with a loving congregation. Feel very homely.