The 50 best places to go out 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.

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.

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.

This was our first Experience at this beautiful brewery, and we were pretty impressed by our visit. This bar had such positive vibes, professional staff, and memorable draft beers. Perhaps the only critique is the relatively high price of the beer, which I believe is justifiable given the quality. It was a great experience and highly recommended to everyone.

Lovely dinner in a great environment. Meals were large and tasty. Atmosphere was great. The place was busy but still easy to talk. Would recommend.

The food was great. Best nachos I have had. And a great afternoon of music. There was a huge variety of beers on tap and more variety in packaged beers.

Cozy place with really fun music. You cannot miss the bbq platter and add the cornbread and housemade ranch, one of the best meals I’ve had. The platter plus a couple of sides was the perfect amount of food for the two of us. Couldn’t be happier

Came here tonight with my mum brother and myself. Atmosphere was comfortable and spacious. Had no trouble waiting for a table. Food came quickly. Absolutely delicious. Would come here again anytime. Recommend to anyone who wants to try something new and enjoy the wide variety of food they have on the menu. The place rocks. 😊⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Having just moved to Ballarat we were keen to explore some different places. We have now been to Hop Temple twice in 4 weeks. The warm eclectic decor is so well done, the staff are super friendly and keen and the food is really good. They have happy hour from 3pm with half price drinks and some food is half price also. It's very good value and we enjoy the vibe. We happened to be there on a Wednesday night when they were running their weekly trivia. I was surprised how full the place was with everyone enjoying the trivia fun. We will keep calling in, it's a great place.

Food was good. Cocktails was fresh. Music was a little loud for dinner time but it has a pub like feel so expect some background music but could have been background music. Was hard to talk to people at the table due to everyone having to yell around you. But other then that would definitely do takeaway food

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.

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!

What an amazing Brewery Restaurant. From the front you won't think it was a brewery, but wait until you walk in, it's more than that. The decor takes you back in time with some amazing wall art and old machines. The place just keeps opening up as you walk through the multiple levels. The brewery is set back on one of the levels and the beers on offer are faultless. I enjoyed two tasting paddles and love every beer I tried. The food we ordered was delicious and didn't take long to arrive at our table.

Aunty Jacks has such a great vibe…warm, welcoming and full of character. I loved the décor and the friendly service added to the experience. The food was excellent, with a hearty pub-style menu and plenty of drink options. We ordered two mains and an entrée for three people, but the entrée arrived on its own rather than with the mains. It would have been nice if the staff had checked our preference, but that’s a small detail in an otherwise great dining experience. Definitely worth a visit when you’re in Ballarat.

A great place to have beer (or any other drink of your choice) and a nice pub meal. I love the interior of this establishment with all the greenery. I can understand why it’s popular - it’s very inviting. Definitely a must visit when you’re in Ballarat.

Possibly the coolest place I’ve been to in a while. Lots of unique places to sit and the burger was very homely I enjoyed it allot.

Very very cool looking place! We went in thinking it was a cafe but actually its restaurant… the staff was so lovely and directed us round the corner to a cafe cos we wanted a takeaway drink. But Aunty Jacks looked so great inside we thought oh well come back. The staff and the place itself I can’t fault. Very lovely and the place looks great. But the food was just okay. Not terrible just not as good as was hoping for. Had the halloumi burger and I think the bruschetta.. hmm it’s a few days later and yep I’ve forgotten because it wasn’t memorable.. unlike Meredith farm stores bruschetta 20 mins away.. :) Anyway I wouldn’t go back unfortunately for that reason.

The Haloumi Chips were the best things I've eaten in my entire life, I'm so sad I'm not local and won't get to eat them very often. All the food we had was amazing, (popcorn chicken, regular chips, haloumi chips and jackfruit tacos), the staff were very friendly and service was quick. I love the vibe/decor of the venue as well, lots of plant life and a couple of fireplaces to make it cozy while still keeping a sort of industrial yet kitschy vibe. Will definately visit again!

We had my daughters 18th birthday here Saturday night and it was fabulous. Great atmosphere and music, meals were fast and delicious! The standout for me though were the staff! Friendly, helpful and just giving amazing service all round.

Had a great Chef's Dinner here last night, so returned tonight for round 2. Service is fast and attentive. Drinks selection is ok, but there could be more wines by the glass. Ambience is great. It's busy for a Tuesday (and Monday was busy too). All up, great food, good drinks, attentive service at good prices. A winning combo.....well done to all the staff.

The atmosphere was excellent, environment is cozy, sitting is comfortable, staffs are so helpful and friendly. The man at the end when we pay are super welcoming and nice. It was such a pleasure experience in here!! Meal is good quality and nice as well.

From the moment I walked in, the service and experience was positive. I asked Ralden if there was a spot for 1 - he responded instantly with a “yes, always yes…. Where would you like to sit”?… and pointed out a few options. It felt like being invited into a welcoming home. I ordered the Roys Dine in Feast. And what a feast this was. Loved every dish. Faves would have to be the: KIMCHI CROQUETTES PORK BELLY BAO I’m not a huge dessert person, however…. Their VANILLA PANNA COTTA …. Oh my goodness it was delicious! My waitress Fernanda was so sweet. Always asking if I wanted a mini break in between servings and checking in on me every time she walked past. Such a delightful human. Even when I went to the bar to pay, service was great there too! I believe the gentleman’s name is Dillan. Decor is delightfully colourful and inviting. Was so nice to see so many customers enjoying themselves, their food and drinks. Put a huge smile in my face. This experience was simply delightful. Thank you!

These current photos don't do the ambience and Aliveness of Roy's justice, as I'm here at a pre-busy time...Normally the place is fully buzzing inside and outside! Footpath dining is just as popular. Every facet of great hospitality and richness of experience is here...The food is diverse and delicious and the timing of delivery of courses is superbly managed. I particularly want to acknowledge the outstanding service offered by Fernanda, Issie and Kim...I haven't experienced other staff members but these wonderful human being shine! No McDonaldised automatic disengaged responses here! They're authentically warm and engaged, knowledgeable, thoughtful and kind, going beyond expectations and with such a generosity of spirit that really underpins the sheer brilliance of the whole experience. Five star everything! Cheers and thanks...Stuart

Amazing mocktails, great vibe, and the best service. Kim was fantastic — friendly, attentive, and made the night extra special. Can’t wait to come back!

Had a light bite - house special Pie, Korean fried chicken and soft shell crab Bao . Deep fried chicken was not oily, nicely salted!

Roy Hammond was absolutely amazing! Kim went above and beyond with her service, the drinks were incredible, and the venue itself was stunning inside. All of the staff were extremely friendly and welcoming — such a great experience from start to finish!

Called in just before 6pm on a cold wet Ballarat Saturday night without a booking. Plenty of seats available and waitress pleasantly and professionally seated us for our request for a table of two. Our drinks order was asked and appropriate time afforded us before waitress sought our food order. Drinks and food delivered correctly and not undue delay. Please note it was not peak time so this helped the quick delivery of food. Food was nice, appealing, tasty and sufficient quantity. Prices are reasonable against like dining. Interior has that old warehouse / commercial vibe with nice ambience. Hard concrete flooring and having been here once before at peak time the customer noise does build. This venue holds its own amount the many nearby varied food venues. You are not packed in and tables and chairs are functional. Couple of long e tended tables for bigger groups but make a booking to ensure you can get them. Over all happy to recommend when you want a pizza pasta feed.

Really great spot for Italian food. The gnocchi was probably the best I’ve had—super soft and full of flavor. The pizza was fresh, light, tasty, and not too heavy. The place has a nice vintage vibe. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into good Italian food.

We had a great time dining here on a weeknight during our first visit to Ballarat. The pizza and drinks here were delicious. Staff were warm, friendly, and helpful with our order. Highly recommend if you're in the area.

We were looking for something to eat while in Ballarat, and we happened upon The Forge Pizzeria. Great friendly, and prompt service. The food was yummy, and generous servings. They followed up after the meal, and asked if we enjoyed our meal. We will definitely be back. Thank you guys.

We had such a great time at The Forge Pizzeria in downtown Ballarat. The wood-fired pizzas were seriously delicious — super tasty with the perfect dough. You could really taste the quality in every bite! The vibe inside was really welcoming and relaxed, and the building itself is just beautiful — it used to be the old CV Jones Antiques and Art Gallery, which gives it so much character and charm. If you’re in Ballarat and love good pizza, this place is a must-try. We’ll definitely be coming back!

Love the cold winter Ballarat delicious cheesey crumptious smokey flavoured pizzas 😋 and hot spaghetti carbonara with fresh side rocket salad . The high light of our meal was if u eat in you help yourselves to baked breads and pastries from the kind bakery next door 😘 I don't like wasting food. Thank u Isla and Charlie, great friendly staff. I just love the gold country 💛 vibes. Will be back 💛🖤💛

We stood at the front and waited to be seated for awhile, no one served us till we starting walking to a table as we were unsure whether we were supposed to seat ourselves. The guy said to wait over there and they will have a table for us in a moment. We kept waiting and no one was preparing any tables and there were heaps empty. We stood there for awhile until someone placed menus on a 4 seater table and ask if it was for us. We were confused as it was just the 2 of us but she sat us down anyway. The table wasn't even wiped down and the cutlery wasn't even replace form the last diners.. I had to brush crumbs off the table. We sat at the table for quite awhile without any service and new diners next to us got served before us. This wasn't a good start and dampened our experience here. We finally got service and the food came out in like 5 minutes which was very surprising. The first slice of pizza was really nice when it was hot and freshly made. I got the pumpkin pizza and it was good except there were way too many pine nuts that it was overpowering. I had to take them off to enjoy the rest of the pizza. When I dine in at a restaurant, its not all about the food, it's about the experience/service as well. We were both really disappointed with the service here.

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.

Amazing place, friendly staff, lovely food. Fantastic & very extensive drinks list with delicious cocktails. Manager is very personable and engaging. You cannot go wrong for a special night out

We walked in on a Sunday afternoon and loved the cozy elegant decor and the staff that welcomed us. upon seeing some other customers having the high tea set, we asked if it was possible to order this without a booking and they accommodated us which was really kind. We were not disappointed: food was really tasty and had some really inventive flavors and the matching cocktail tea pots were amazing. The first one was especially easy to drink and kept you wanting more. Which is not a problem because we were told the pots are free flowing! Unfortunately we were too stuffed to take advantage, but I would say that is a good thing. Overall, I would recommend for food and drinks alike, great decor and staff that care about you. Deserves 5 stars!

Grainery Lane’s G&TEA was a total delight! The mix of high tea treats and creative gin cocktail pairings was spot on. Beautiful presentation, delicious flavours, and a relaxed, stylish vibe. The staff were lovely and made the whole afternoon feel special. Highly recommend for a unique and fun outing!

Beautiful venue with elegant old style decor and chandeliers. Food was great. The steak and pork belly was outstanding Cocktail was amazing - I had the Man in love which was delicious. Definitely coming back

Ballarat’s cocktail bar and distillery where gold rush glamour gets a bold revival ✨ Picture the sharp edge of 𝒫ℯ𝒶𝓀𝓎 ℬ𝓁𝒾𝓃𝒹ℯ𝓇𝓈 fused with the lavish flair of 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒢𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓉 𝒢𝒶𝓉𝓈𝒷𝓎 🎩 FEATURED: 🍸 What happen to Monday Cocktail [$24] 1800 Coconut Tequila, Orange Liqueur, Coconut Syrup & Lime Juice 🍹 Coney Island [$24] Grainery Lane London Dry Gin, Martini Bianco, Martini Rosso, Apricot Jam, Passionfruit Puree, Lemon Juice, Sugar Syrup, Foam 🐚 Baked Scallop [$24] Scallops baked in Pink Peppercorn, Lime & Vodka Butter with Pangrattato & Herb Oil 🐟 Kingfish Tiradito [$22] Salt Cured Kingfish, Tiger’s milk garnished with Pickled Cucumber, Carrot, Radish & Bottarga 💭 I recently checked Grainery Lane and was instantly taken by the stunning décor — think speakeasy vibes with a lush twist, thanks to all the hanging greenery. We weren’t super hungry, but it was the perfect spot to relax before our next stop. We shared a few small bites and tried one of their cocktails, which was super creative and well-balanced. The drinks menu is extensive, especially with their house-made gin playing a starring role. While the seafood we tried was a bit underwhelming, I’d be keen to come back and explore more of the menu — there’s definitely potential there

We had the most wonderful 60th birthday event recently in The Parlor at Grainery Lane, with a banquet dinner for 38. We chose this venue for the atmosphere and everything about the evening exceeded our expectations. The planning with Kelly was amazing - she totally got the type of event we wanted and made it happen in a relaxed and supportive way. The room setup, including placement of our additional birthday embellishments, was spot on. The food was amazing and plentiful with really great options for the various dietary needs of our guests. And the additional food requests from us woven seamlessly into the event. The cocktails, and mocktails, were great fun, expertly prepped, served with flair on the night and enjoyed by everyone. And the service on the night was beyond outstanding - so many comments from our guests on how well looked after they were, all night. All of our friends and family had a fun, relaxed and special evening, as we partied til 1am! We also really enjoyed dinner at Aunty Jacks the night before - also arranged by Kelly – a relaxed start to a special birthday weekend in Ballarat. Thank you Kelly and all the team members at Grainery Lane. Exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend and we will be back! Dave & Jude

A little luxe in Ballarat ✨ Grainery Lane brought the flavour, the finesse, and a whole lot of flair. From scallops on salt to cocktails topped with petals , every bite and sip was an artwork.

Staff are always 100% attentive. Such a wonderful venue. Music, shows, food and service are top notch. Every time we go it feels like we are at home and so welcomed. :)

Check this place out, you won't be disappointed! Even having only been here a handful of times so far, it feels so inviting and has such a positive, fun - but chilled out energy about it. It is gorgeous and moody inside with lots of booth seating. Food is consistently good, the all you can eat Bao Buns and Dumplings are amazing value and so much fun to try different flavours out. Cocktails 👌 Aaron is such a kind and welcoming host and the staff are so friendly and their service is on point. Can't wait to go back! :)

We had the absolute best time at the bottomless brunch and drag show! From the moment we walked in, the energy was electric, and the vibes were immaculate. The staff were incredibly friendly, attentive, and handled the busy crowd like pros, always with a cheerful attitude, truly top-tier service! A special shoutout to the amazing Piano Man Matt — his talent and charisma lit up the room and had everyone singing along. The drag performers were fabulous, fierce, and absolutely hilarious — we were laughing, cheering, and dancing in our seats the whole time. If you're looking for a fun, fabulous, and unforgettable day out, The Piano Bar Ballarat is the place to be. We’ll definitely be back!

3rd time today, march 29th 2025. As always, the performers every Saturday are awesome. Love the drag act and the Queen. I really enjoyed my time as usual, EXCEPT for one thing today that annoyed me. I just went outside for a cigarette, the staff took my food. My friend was there and told her not to take it as I am not finished eating, and the staff replied "we have to take it anyway". For the price range of the food, you shouldn't take it. If you have to take the plates and utensils, atleast give the customers a paper plate or put my pizza on the tissue, just don't take my food that I have paid for.

This place is amazing 🤩 thankyou staff for your beautiful energies and looking out for my welfare the entire time I was there, literally earth angels ✨ 👼🏼🪄 X 💋 truely that means alot to me! Also a huge thanks for the gorgeous "Door Darling SiSt⭐r" with the most stylish glasses 🕶️!!!! Your Pure kindness towards my special needs treating me so impeccably will not be forgotten. Also thanks for looking after my coat & being so kind and thoughtful for me to enjoy the night by making sure that I am hydrated with water 🌊 💦 💗 sending much love to the artistic performances and incredibly talented singing and playing the piano! 🎹 Wow I am so impressed with the vocal range & also the patrons are truly very blessed souls. Had a satisfying time that I won't forget either with a very handsome new soul tribe member, I love you sweetheart X 💋! 💞🥰💕 Honestly for now I say it's he best place to have a dance on a Saturday night 🌉

Huge thanks to Aaron and the entire team, for a fabulous evening with Ella Hooper! Gorgeous cocktails and a really great range of tasty gluten free options to choose from! ... and the ice cream sundae was divine. Xx

Came in on Saturday, was my first time at this venue and it was incredible! Food was great, drinks were great, service was great and the show itself was sooo much fun! Will definitely be returning in the future!

Such a cool place for dinner and drinks! We headed up on Saturday night for a few non-alcoholic cocktails and a light dinner, and we were blown away by the service, food and the quality of the N/A drinks menu! Being non drinkers for nearly two years, we struggle to find good places that offer a decent menu that caters to us non drinkers. RENARD gets a full star review for the quality staff and food. We will be back for sure!

Everything was so delicious, especially the multi-layered lasagne! Couldn’t fault it - service, food, atmosphere all 10/10!

Insane food, nice atmosphere/interiors and lovely staff. If you’re in Ballarat, don’t miss this spot! Highly recommend the goats cheese donuts and sweet potato hummus w flatbread.

Best service with smiles, courtesy, friendliness. Amazing bunch of people here to look after you Every dish was great except the porterhouse steak. It was very salty. I was 1 of 3 people at my table who ordered it and we were all put off by the saltiness. My friend did inform the team and they were quick to apologise and gave us a discount overall for our table. But every other dish was AMAZING - meredith goat cheese doughnuts, southern fried chicken, ratatouille, pork terrine, pita bread with dips. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ We enjoyed our dinner after having played hard games through the day in the weekend competition. Thank you, Renard team!

What a sensational place!!!! The attention to detail is spot on. We tried 5 foods on the menu. All were well presented and tested incredible. The combination of flavours is certainly not an afterthought. The cocktails were delightful. And while the atmosphere was relaxed, the service was of very high quality. We decided to go back tomorrow to try more things on the menu. This place belongs on the “Must visit list” in Ballarat.

8 of us came to celebrate my sons birthday from all over Australia and we were welcomed with hospitality beyond. Food was delish very attentive service , how the lass rembered our orders cocktails and food with us all babbling I have no idea but she did. The host very affable with the birthday cake we brought with us. A night to remember. Thankyou! :)

Rocked it at 2:15pm on Saturday, and left around 7:30pm. Would have stayed longer, but had to go. Great service, and their selection of drinks is on the money, brilliant. Will be back!

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 💯% 💥.

The food was excellent and the service spot on. We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the bartenders make some unique top shelf cocktails. The food from the buffet style course was fantastic, more than I could eat. Louis, the venue manager, was training a new bartender and even though they were slammed and every table full (unexpected and slightly understaffed) everyone took everything in their stride, and Louis still took time to explain what we were eating and was very patient with his trainee. We will return

Food fantastic particularly loved the DIY spring rolls. Cocktails were also great. We dined during the first sitting on a Saturday night in Jan and whilst the service was good it felt rushed, the food came out too quickly if we had a few minutes between courses we wouldn’t have felt so full and may have had a few more drinks and a dessert. That being said I would give this restaurant another try if I were to visit Ballarat again.

Top quality service and atmosphere. The meal was TO DIE FOR and the cocktails were a real treat. Thu thru Fri is the All Time Favourites Banquet for $69pp.. - so much food for an amazing price. A must dine experience in Ballarat.

What Did Happen? I have been there 2 times before, last night Father's Day the food was ok but the service was all over the place. We had 4 people serving us (were not very busy at the 8 pm service),and 2 of them look like they did not want to be there. The part that i did not like was when the mains were finished and ready for Dessert rice some rice and other bits were on the table and the waiter did not bother cleaning it up. From previous visits, the service was always spot on and Very Professional. So Disappointing i have told so many people how great the place is. I will give it 1 more shot and see if it is any Better? Booking was not under my name.

Moon and mountain has always been a solid choice to enjoy a nice set dinner meal in Ballarat. Last time I've been has been a few months ago but it sounds like they've been struggling with some of their meal pacing in recent times. I'll be there again soon and will adjust my review based on the revised experience

Staff and customer service is 5 star. Very attentive. Food were so delicious, we had the lunch banquet. Cocktails were so good. Couldn't recommend this restaurant enough.

One of the best restaurants in Ballarat, a must go to! Staff are so lovely and experienced. Food is perfectly cooked. A well rounded menu with a wide range of options to suit different tastes. The vibe is exceptional. Bringing Melbourne atmosphere to Ballarat, but with a Ballarat twist. Love it! Will definitely be coming back. Well done!

Good family day out. Less birds then I was expecting in regards to our natives. It would have been nice to see more birds in the massive free flight aviary as there’s so much room a lot birds could get along easily. Make sure you stop to see the sun conure, female red tail cockatoo they are characters & love attention. Mini golf was a hit while mum & dad had a rest. It is nice place visit and go at your own pace. Good little gift shop, souvenirs. Pleasant place to sit outside on the deck and have lunch, cake slices served with fresh cream are particularly nice. Staff very welcoming.

Lots of parrot species here which is why I chose to visit. Not a lot of visitors on this particular day, which gave me the opportunity to capture my shots. l am fascinated by Black Cockatoos and there was a good number of Red Tail Blacks male female and juvenile, and two rather shy Yellow Tail Black. Expected to hear a lot of shrieking and screeching but there wasn't much. There were also lots of other parrots including some non Australian varieties as well. If colourful birds are your thing, you won't be disappointed, and the cheeky Rainbow Lorikeets were everywhere on the day I visited. Incidentally they also have a nice range of hot meals available and beverages. Expect to spend around an hour and half to two hours, and there is a large pond with rainbow trout and lots of ducks, animatronic dinosaur, a maze and mini golf. Nice outing for families, and people like myself interested in birds.

Great place owned and run by locals, very welcoming and helpful. Bush grounds, extremely peaceful. Beautiful bird life, has a small maze, 9 hole mini golf and you can find a few hidden treasures along the walk including some rainbow trout that like a feed. Would definitely recommend.

The kids had a fun time, and the experience of feeding the lorikeets on entry with pears was brilliant. Mini golf was a blast as was feeding the fish and ducks. In truth the park has probably seen better days and some of the exhibits are a little run down (damaged dinosaur robots and very few birds in the open aviary) but it's a charming place and the most important bit is the kids had lots of fun. Well priced for a family at just over 50 bucks. Thank you

It's been a while since I took my kids here. My 11yo, 9yo and 3yo all had good fun. The staff were super friendly and kind. The coffee was great and cafe food was delicious. They recently added a mini golf (included with entrance) which my kids would not let go off. Definitely worth adding to Ballarat local best family spots to visit.

Absolutely loved it! Highly recommended! The bird park showcases a fantastic variety of birds—so many, it's incredible!❤️🤩 The natural surroundings are beautiful, and the place is clean and well-maintained. A big thank you to the owners for creating such a wonderful experience! Breakfast was delicious and clearly made with love. Thank you for your fantastic work! 😍✨️

Lovely grounds with lots of vegetation and water features for the free birds. My young grandkids flipped their wigs over the dinosaurs.

This place is such a vibe, my partner and I had a date night here. We sat at the bar area and it was super intimate! The staff were really attentive and lovely. The food was delicious and so well done and presented so nicely! Would absolutely go again!

This was our first experience at this restaurant, and it was a mixed bag. First of all, we loved the design and the vibe; it reminded us of South American restaurants in the States, and the professional interior design was appealing. The service and the margarita were also quite good. However, the food was disappointing. It was poorly made, overpriced, and the small portion of protein was unjustifiable. This place is definitely great for hanging out with friends, enjoying the atmosphere, and having drinks, but I wouldn’t recommend it for dining.

Came to Ballarat for a basketball ball tournament and stumbled across this place for dinner! Pleasantly surprised with the quality and taste of the food! Really enjoyed every dish. The waiters were lovely!

We had a fantastic experience at Pancho, a vibrant, modern spot with great energy and even better food and drinks. There was plenty of seating available inside, which made it easy to settle in and enjoy the night without feeling rushed or cramped. The cocktails were absolutely delicious, expertly crafted and full of flavour. Whether you’re into something citrusy, spicy, or spirit-forward, their drinks menu has something for everyone. You can tell the bartenders know what they’re doing, each drink felt balanced and thoughtfully made. Food-wise, the ceviche was fresh and zesty with just the right amount of heat, and the charred corn was a total flavour bomb, sweet, smoky, and generously topped with cheese and seasoning. Both dishes were beautifully plated and perfect for sharing. Empanadas are also recommended. Highly recommend Pancho for anyone passing through Ballarat or looking for a fun, flavourful day out.

Fresh, delicious tacos and the corn was incredible too. For $65 - 2 people, we shared an entree and 6 tacos and was full. So good, I’ll be back if I’m Ballarat.

We loved our dinner here. The service was quick, the food delicious, especially the fried chicken with chilli and lime and the grilled corn. We also really enjoyed our drinks and the decorations lends to a nice vibe.

Dishes and cocktails were great! Fresh and full of flavour. I’d drive an hour again just for the Jalapeño Margarita. Would have given 5 stars but unfortunately service fell a little short. Waited 15 minutes for our booked booth to be ready when there was one free. Will definitely return overall gorgeous spot.

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!

EDIT September 2024 - A pity but Ragazzone is closing down. Apparently a lease issue. A pity for Ballarat to lose another venue. A quality Italian dining experience in Ballarat. Decent flavours if a little limited in menu scope. Worth a visit.

This is a very fine modern Italian restaurant. The food is nothing short of excellent and it was our pick of the places we visited during our stay in beautiful Ballarat to go to the Begonia festival. Every dish was outstanding, the highlights being the arancini, the roast lamb skewers, the gnocchi Sorrento and then the fried potatoes and the green salad. We also liked the wine choices. Mine was the rose and it was superb. We loved our prime server, the dentist partner of one of the owners. She did a fantastic job despite being a fill in for the night. What a hard working power couple btw. Talk about deserving to succeed! This is a fine place that deserves its success

Very underwhelming. The food I found to be average, and the price point very high. For a $38 pasta you expect the highest quality texture, flavour, and ingredients, but I didn’t get any of that from the fusilli pasta with vodka chilli sauce. We had 2 entrees (onion tart and arancini) and these didn’t stack up in flavour or value. The service was lovely and we appreciated the thoughtful waiter who was attentive and receptive to our feedback.

Such a highlight of Ballarat!! The food is incredible, the fit-out is stunning and such a vibe and the service was fantastic. We had a big group of girls (a little tipsy) and the waitress was so accomodating and friendly. The food is always so flavourful, and this time was no different. We always love Ragazzone!! Can't wait to go again.

Enjoyed the arancini. The housemade pasta on its own is excellent, exactly as all fresh pasta should be, but the overall flavours didn't wow me. Just average and not worth the price. Not for me at least.

Absolutely incredible. Exceptionally high quality food, service and drinks. Unparalleled in Ballarat except by the highest quality such as Mr. Jones. A Great experience overall. Edit Jan 2022: Still remains outstanding with a photographed majority new menu.

Apart from the worms in our Iceberg lettuce dish (which put a dampener on the experience), the food, service and atmosphere was excellent. Definitely worth a visit if you're Ballarat way.

Stopped in for a couple drinks and some nibbles and I was absolutely wowed by this place. Atmosphere was perfect with comfortable, intimate seating and beautiful decore. The drinks were delicious, and I had to order a second old fashioned - it was so good! We ate a delicious charcuterie board, salt and pepper squid and some complimentary mozzarella sticks - everything was fantastic. The service was wonderful, we felt very welcome and loved our experience here - highly recommend checking out this place! I will definitely be coming back sometime soon!

We had such a fantastic experience at Sip. The service was second to none, we were spoilt. The venue was 3/4 full but the staff made us and every table feel like they were the only customers in the bar. I was impressed with the value, the 4 French Champagne tasters were delicious, and it's fun! We shared the mozzarella sticks which were very yummy. The venue fitout is so cool, such a vibe, we felt so boujee. I have already booked in again for next month. I want to try more food this time around, can't wait!

In Ballarat this weekend for the Heritage Harvest Festival and we were looking for a cocktail bar for Saturday night affair. We came across Sip Cocktail on instagram and it looked like a fun place so we checked it out. The venue has been in business since world champagne day (October 2023) and let us tell you it’s such a refreshing place. Ballarat does it differently, in a good way. The venue is bougie and lush. Actually very beautiful. We were greeted by the owner Lauren and she is so hospitable and friendly we just knew we will have a great time. There was also live music that added to the ambiance. The wine list was extensive, with two pages of champagne varietals. It’s been a while since we had a bottle of Billiecart (the last one was at Room4Dessert in Ubud in May, Will Goldfarb’s restaurant) so it was a no brainer, but we opted for the rosé. Along with couple of crystal glasses to drink from we were set. As the saying goes, pleasure without Champagne is purely artificial. The rosé has mouthwatering acidity along with a lacy mousse with tones of raspberry, cherry and mandarin orange peel, a hint of sweetness. For snacks we went for the charcuterie platter and some blue cheese, yes funky cheese, is there another choice? Plus some frites, the champagne terrine and finished off with the burrata and charred grapes. The snacks were a perfect companion to the champagne, while listening to some live music in a venue that is warm, charming, and absolutely for gorgeous. The snacks were great, serving size for the $ value is on the money and tasty. Service from the owner and staff were anything but excellent. Always checking if we’re good, if we need anything else, and always cleared our plates and cutlery and provided fresh ones after each snack. That’s the way it should be. One of our biggest gripes is when venues don’t refresh plates and cutlery after a course. It’s not hard! great to see Sip is doing things right. Country folks, in our experience, are generally more friendly than city folk back home. We had some good conversations with the owner Lauren, as well as the violinist Karin, about food, champagne, life and so on. Overall we had great evening, a perfect precursor to the heritage harvest festival that we’re going to on the next morning.

So looking forward to attending her from the city. Well worth the visit ( although it was a quick one). Such an impressive fit out. Well rounded options for by the glass and great selections. Friendly and accommodating staff. Appreciate the little bowl of nibbles while having a class of 🥂. Will certainly be back any time we visit the area. Thank you.

Outstanding 5/5 dining experience! Luxurious yet homey atmosphere, with well-thought-out interior. The service was friendly and accommodating, especially impressed with their fantastic drink options, catering, well to specific preferences. A rare gem!

A gorgeous little bar in the heart of Ballarat, with wonderful collaborations featuring local creatives. Service was fabulous and attentive, and the stunning decor—including seating upholstered in velvet—was perfect for a rainy winter day. The food was delicious, especially the Fromage and Charcuterie Platter, which offered a fantastic selection and great value. The drinks were a highlight too, with a beautiful range of both non-alcoholic and alcoholic cocktails, plus, of course, the impressive champagne list. Highly recommend—thank you for a wonderful experience!

Just discovered this gem and so glad I did. It reminds me of the best intimate Melbourne bars but it’s here in Ballarat. Beautiful decor and atmosphere and the service was so friendly. Felt like old friends. Can’t recommend enough

Relaxed and friendly vibe. Great little wine bar, we love coming here to chat to Miles about the wines. Atmosphere is cosy. Looking forward to our next visit when next in Ballarat. Didn’t taste the food saving that for next visit.

Truffle Fries are goddamn life changing. I’ve had them more than once and they were just as good second go. Best fries in town hands down.

Booked a table upstairs for around 10-15 people and was an absolutely incredible experience!!! The food was incredible and enjoyed by everyone! The staff were amazing! So friendly, accommodating and were so easy to communicate with! Highly recommend for anyone looking to celebrate in an elegant setting! Will be back for sure!!!!!! 🥂

A hidden gem! Delicious! Miles and his staff have created a great bar with great food and service! I highly recommend it!

I recently celebrated a birthday upstairs at Ellington’s. The space was incredible and perfect for what I was after. The staff were amazing and went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly. Fantastic food and music, all to make for a very memorable night.

The woman working behind the bar on 9/3 was so nice to us - drinks were good, food even better.

Great little wine bar. Very cosy. Beautifully styled. Lovely owner. Can’t wait to return

This place is just amazing 💕 From an in-depth tour of their distillery to tasting some incredible, handcrafted spirits, this place is a must-visit. And the cocktails? Absolutely next-level ✨so unique and creative! Highly recommend checking it out if you’re in town!

What an amazing night we all had celebrating my 50th birthday at itinerant spirits. Thank you to all the staff who assisted with the planning and on the night. Drink service was amazing. Food was in abundance. The overall experience was very impressive. Such a modern classy venue. All our guests were very impressed. Worth considering for your next big event.

We've had a couple impromptu visits, each time staff have been wonderful, friendly and informative. Menu is as varied as the warm cosmopolitan industrial atmosphere that keeps everything fresh and vibrant. Lots of seating options, dark corners, long tables, cosy couches this place has it all!

Absolutely loved this venue! Beautiful food, especially the Pizzas. Had exceptional service. Couldn’t fault them. Even got a very informative distillery tour which topped off our day in this gorgeous, trendy, relaxing venue. Will be back very soon..

A visually pleasing distillery right next to the train station. Their gin and coffee liqueur were my favourites. Very popular. Service was friendly and attentive. Highly recommended - definitely in the top 3 distillers in Victoria.

We enjoyed pre concert drinks at distillery, Iterant Spirits and loved it! Cosy fireplace, friendly staff, live music and delicious cocktails. What more could you want? Such a gem – can’t wait to come back!

We recently had the pleasure of hosting our wedding event at this beautiful venue. Marna was welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable and helped create a relaxed, and smooth experience. Baz helped us choose a great drinks package that our guests loved. The grazing boards and canapes were delicious and both the catering and bar service was exceptional. Thankyou very much to everyone at Itinerant Spirits!!

We were the first customers in there at about 9, but by 12:30 when we left the place was packed with young things half our age. Groovy music, dark funky interior - a good place to be.

Chill place and staff are quick at serving so waiting is not long at all! Only downside is music isn't as great...

It definitely needs improvements and they need to get a good DJ in there, the music and atmosphere was sub par

So dark and savage in here, Love me some party time. Big mumma gun tear that floor up bishesss . Taytay carter xx #thedaydabootydroppedtodafloor

The bartender had to look up how to make a martini and even then it was like drinking chilled vermouth.

Yeah pretty good. Nice craft beers and chill vibes

Melbourne bitter and pabst blue ribbon? You can't go wrong.

This will be a treasure for the future. It is the old Canadian plantation, which was once covered in pines followed by blue gums. Thanks to the Labor state government it was declared a Regional Park. As such it is threaded with walking and mountain biking tracks. The Friends of Canadian Corridor are doing an excellent job developing a master plan for the park. Lots of wild plants and animals still. If you spot a koala, let the friends know (they are on FB).

We were getting to the sensory trail the long way, driving the Dozed Track

nice track. serene spots.

Woowookarung is very vegetated it has lots of trees and plants, it’s full of wildlife and is very ecofriendly. It had lots of rest stops and was really stunning. The lookout was very pretty and showed off a lot of Ballarat. The bike and shoe cleaning area was easy to use and helped a lot with my bike. 10/10 would go again

Great hiking trail and you can bring your dog.

I am lucky ... I live Neighboring Woowookarung Regional Park. Nothing nicer after a day at work to get on my mountain bike and cruise around the trails in the park (I am an old and slow MTBer) so I am very lucky to have such a resource at my doorstep. There are a couple of other great view points in the in the park that are great to visit, and plenty of Wildlife including Echidna, Kangaroo, koala and of course bird life..even see the occasional Wedge Tailed eagles. Only disappointment are the people that still think it is ok to dump rubbish in the park.. very disappointing that people think it is ok to do stuff like that. Also you still do get trail bike riders in the area. Most are ok and are careful but you still get the occasional idiots who think it is the fink desert race..

Huge place, lotsa walking trails, hard to find the trail starting point because they are all over the place. But it is nice and quiet

We had a great time at the Ballarat Winter Festival Ice Rink! The kids absolutely loved it and had so much fun skating. The staff were friendly and the setup was well-organised. Just felt it could use a bit more aesthetic charm or festive decoration to really bring the winter magic to life. Still, a fun family outing we’d happily do again

Disappointed. We pre-booked tickets but still had to wait in a line for 20 minutes. Check in to get skates was chaos, with not enough staff and no clear instructions for patrons. Session was oversold, the rink was crowded and unpoliced, making it feel very unsafe for any of the younger kids. We did have fun eventually but we won't be spending the money again.

Small rink but the kids had heaps of fun and pretty good value for a family. Only thing was that the shoe guide was 2 sizes out for all of us (so jnr 9 needed 11, SNR 2 needed 4 etc) so I wouldn't trust their conversation chart (this could be because the boots are old and hard to put on). This process of trying many boots unfortunately took up 20 min of our 60 min session but once on the ice it was great. Lots of penguins to help littles build confidence.

Fun but a bit small for the amount of people on the ice. Have to go super slowly as there are beginners and kids falling all over the place, actually surprised that there weren't any serious accidents!

Very well organised, Limited entry only so that Participants can enjoy their time. I would highly recommend to buy tickets in advance, No tickets needed for spectators. Live music is cherry on the top. Complete Entertainment

❄️❄️❄️I love it there, it was so much fun! I would definitely recommend it for someone who loves challenges! The staff was so nice and kind. They understood that I had to change my siblings skates a few time and they understood it. I will always come back each year! ❄️❄️❄️

Go Ice Skating right in town! ⛸️ Bring the family. Fun for all.

5 stars all round. Wish we lived closer so we could dine regularly. 3 visits for dinner over the past years. Never fails to impress. Staff amazing and attentive, food is always on point. Venue is inviting and clean. Sunday pasta cheese wheel was amazing

Exceptional service, i flew down from Qld to take my 80yo mother thete for a Bday Lunch. She loved it. It was worth every cent to see how happt she was. Thank you 🙏

Excellent meal and wonderful dining experience! The atmosphere felt expensive but the meals were responsibly priced for the amazing quality of food you are getting. The food was flavourful, fresh and high quality. The staff were polite and friendly and service was prompt. Will absolutely come here again. Highly recommend.

We had reservations for a table of 10 for an anniversary dinner. It was pretty busy so reservations for smaller parties may be needed as well. Once we arrived we were greeted right away and Sat immediately. Our server greeted us shortly after we sat down and got our drink orders. After some time and looking over the menu we were able to order. Our waitress seemed to struggle with some of the questions and requests but we worked through it regardless. Our food came out in a timely manner, for the most part everyone was pleased with there meal. The ossobuco wasn't up to par but it wasn't terrible. My ravioli were good and the sauce was decent. Overall all our meals were good. We had a bunch of desserts but the stand out were the cannoli , the filling was rich and creamy and just tasted really good. We really had a nice time and would return again to try some other dishes.

I wish I could give more stars! Service was 100/10 very accommodating with our two children offering colouring in and amending menu items to suit. We went twice on our trip and Sunday was by far our favourite as we had the pasta cheese wheel. Menu is full of all your Italian favourites cooked to perfection.

Excellent food and drinks- I'm no foodie but I had the linguine marinara, it was so delicious I could have had a second plate. Wonderful service- everyone was bright, accommodating, and prompt to serve us and bring drinks etc. The atmosphere is lovely, could have a big group dinner or just a table for two. Does get quite hot inside, we were dressed for winter and desperate to get outside by the end of our meals so we didn't melt 🥵

Award winning Italian themed restaurant. Selection of traditional Italian meals with flavoursome tweaks. Busy place. Fast service. Friendly staff. You will find something that seaks to your taste buds. Desserts and drinks to match.

The ambiance was very nice , spacious area. Service not great the one who served us was not friendly at all. The price for what we got was not worth it. Pretty pricey. Food wise was pretty ordinary not what I was expected as a Spanish cuisine.

Their manchego cheeses were SO GOOD. The olive oil they have on the table was so amazing I bought 2 (thank you for having them on retail to buy!). I also really enjoyed the paella, I liked that there was a decent amount of seafood and chicken on the pan. Definitely worth a visit in Ballarat.

I was surprised to find a well-rated Spanish restaurant in Ballarat, so our family decided to give it a try while we stayed there for the weekend. The food was decent, nothing to write home about. It wasn't unpalatable, but it wasn't stellar either. However, the service was poor. Both waitresses working at that time were unfriendly from the start, barely a smile, seemed very rushed, curt, and hurried. It was also really hard to get their attention to order/ask for something. Keep in mind that we came in before the lunch crowd came in so it was still quite empty when our group was seated. The restaurant interior and ambience was really nice though. Very charming and cute. All in all, wouldn't really recommend this place unless you're craving for Spanish and you can't go into Melbourne for logistical reasons.

We had lunch here on a Saturday, the waitress was very attentive , she recommended great dishes and wines and also portion sizes. Couldn’t fault the meal. It was one of the best meals we’ve had for a while, will definitely be back. The croquettes were to die for.

Meigas is an absolute gem in Ballarat! The atmosphere is cozy, the staff are warm and attentive, and the food is fantastic. We especially loved the tapas — full of flavor and beautifully presented. The Paella Mixta was absolutely delicious — perfectly cooked with rich flavors and generous portions of seafood and meat. To top it all off, the dessert was unforgettable — hands down the best Crema Catalana I’ve ever had. Silky, rich, and perfectly balanced. It truly felt like an authentic Spanish dining experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for something special in Ballarat!

Food. Amazing! I recommend their gambas al pilpil, can be a bit spicy if you don’t like spicy food. But I promise this tastes super good. They serve’s complimentary bread at the start, but don’t finish it yet, try to dip the bread into the oil from gambas al pilpil. OMG! Heaven! Oh! Also try their broccolini, this also amazingly delicious. We also ordered the slow cooked beef cheek , super juicy and tender on top of a nice mashed potatoes. Service. Good, serving time was perfect, friendly staffs, and a beautiful performance. Price. Just right. Perfect. Place. Cozy, perfect for gathering with friends, chill over a drinks.

The dishes were quite special and unique to what we see in Melbourne. We got the octo, prawns, beef cheek and lamb skewers. We didn't book and that was a mistake as we missed the paella. ANYWAYSsss, beef cheek was great and tender but the special thing was the mash underneath it. It was super light and airy which made it very satisfying to eat. Lamb skewers were tasty and succulent, but the capsicum was soooo sweet. Prawns were by far my favourite, the garlic and spice kick really upgraded the taste buds.

We just held our wedding reception at Pipers. Staff were fantastic and so accommodating. All our guests were absolutely raving about how delicious the food was and of course how gorgeous the venue is. The tram ride included for the bridal parties was a great added bonus, our kids loved it too. Set up and pack up was super easy being able to go back the next day to collect all our items. Breakfast the next morning was equally delicious as dinner the night before. We’ll definitely be back for meals in the future.

The coffee and food were cold. We told our waiter, but he just said sorry and walked away. The place was filthy. Grubby walls, doors , skirting boards and there were dead flys on the very dirty windowsill . We asked to speak to the manager and we told her about the cold food and coffee. She seemed disinterested, and came up with every excuse instead of taking responsibility. We said we didn't believe we should have to pay, but she charged us anyway only offering a small discount on the coffees. Highly disappointed and won't be recommending Piper's as a venue to dine at.

Coffee was not bad, my husband enjoyed his scone but my brownie took so long to arrive, I had already finished my coffee. Four staff on and about two other tables, so it's not like they were busy. The brownie tasted weird too. I don't think I will bother with this place again. There are far better offerings in the main street.

We had a late lunch here after strolling around the lake and botanical garden. We ordered few dishes, but to me the highlight was the butter chicken. It’s very good. The food was very much complimented the weather which was raining and cold. Oh the service was worth to mention as well. They are fantastic.

On Sunday 14/9/25 my husband and myself had a chicken avocado toasted sour doe sandwich, the bread was so dried out we could not eat it without a drink in one hand, i only ate insert of half it was awfull we told them nicely but they really did not care, first and last time going there shame we where going to take our club there. No other of a refund for the meal i could not eat which did not surprise me, orange juice was lovely.

Had lunch here and I ordered the grilled fish and it was so good - the portion is not much but one of the best grilled fish I had. Also the calamari is good . Location is great with relaxing views by the lake and swans around.

Great prompt service, tasty food, would have liked the enormous scone a bit warmer.

Uncountable visits to Mr.Jones such a lovely place. We've had an absolutely fabulous time and I also admire Chef Damien because he has a true knowledge of real authentic Thai cuisine (not a Mickey Mouse Thai if you know what I mean 😂) with limited resources and pretty looking presentation. Some of Thai dishes that he made were better than some of Thai fine dining restaurants in Thailand. The food was phenomenal, and the hospitality was top-notch. Cherished every moment, every laugh. Ps. They have the best Thai cupcakes (kanom krok) I ever had.

We enjoyed Mr Jones. The food is good sometimes very good but not as good perhaps as some of the reviews would have us believe. I really enjoyed some of the dishes. The house made mung bean noodles were my favourite. Loved the presentation, flavour and texture. I also thought the optional charcoal grilled duck was delicious as was the red curry of pork belly and scallops. Numbers of the other dishes were OK but without hitting it out of the park including the optional oysters and the mussels. The service was a bit muted and rushed at the start but it improved markedly during the night when the server sommelier realised that we loved our wines. He made some outstanding recommendations with only one fail. We had a good night here but not a great night. This is a very nice restaurant but overall the feeling from the table was that the experience didn’t quite equal the price point

$95 for 9 absolutely exciting, fresh and surprising courses. I mean...what a journey. Tonight we enjoyed a beautiful exploration of fish, fresh coconut in all it's splendour and many other inventive ingredients. So clever and utterly delicious. The atmosphere of this restaurant is sophisticated, warm, colourful and comfortable- so very inviting. The staff were very hospitable and efficient, kudos to you all. I will remember this meal for the rest of my life 🙏❤️

Every dish that we had was magnificent! I am in love with the Cerviche 🤤 Now I know why this place is highly recommended. Our Christmas party was hosted here for a private event. The space was small but enough to fit our 50 people team. The staff were excellent and food was served promptly. Conveniently located in town centre.

This time exactly one week ago, I was just coming to the close of an exceptional experience at Mr Jones. I was celebrating my senior birthday with two of my oldest friends. We were spoilt by service, food and surprises. Thank you Jamie, Ross, Simon and Flynn. I recommend Mr Jones very highly to anyone who enjoys exceptional service and food. Try the banquet 😉

As a chef myself, I gave them 10 out of 10. Nice wine list, fresh and qulity food, nicely cooked, well presented... Service was great as well. Highly recommanded.

Absolutely enjoyed our dinner at Mr Jones, beautiful restaurant with a modern and striking interior. The menu was so simply delicious, I was impressed immediately from our starters which included savoury coconut pancakes, betel leaves, to the mains and our trio of desserts. I also had their espresso martini which had a Vietnamese take on it - so good. We also brought home their chilli oil which is simply T out to the staff, all of them are absolute gems

We had our first visit to The Boatshed . However, we were a little disappointed with our food , we ordered a pork belly pizza a gnocchi, the duck and our son had the calamari. The pizza had nice flavours but it was dripping with oil! Extremely oily. The duck was very dry no sauce, or gravy with it just tasteless lentils and lettuce we were really expecting better, the Gnocchi and calamari were great fresh and tasty though. The staff were lovely and very accommodating to our son’s allergies, she deducted a beer off our cost after our complaint of the Duck, but still we were expecting the high end prices to match high end quality and it just didn’t. Great staff, great atmosphere but not so great food.

We started with oysters & cheese pizza. Very good and came out quickly! Thought of the mains are half as good as the entree we are in for a treat and we were not disappointed! Barramundi was fresh and very well cooked with just a light batter, and prawn linguini was fantastic. Service was spot on and the atmosphere was great. Despite a full restaurant it was a very nice evening! My only regret, not having a lager stomach for more terrific food! We’ll be back.

Great location for breakfast lunch and dinner. Great view feels like your floating on the water. Very friendly staff. Great atmosphere, great staff. Nice seating area. Food is top quality, great taste and portion. Great coffee and drinks too. Only feedback, even though the seating is great as there's chairs as well as sofa style seating. The cushion on table 6, the cushion makes you feel like your sitting and sliding forward.

Nice location right on Lake Wendouree. 5 stars for the food. Great selection and everything was delicious. Hard to fault. The 400g sirloin was cooked perfectly, kids calamari was eaten without a complaint. Would visit again.

Great little restaurant with a magnificent view of the lake and sunset. Staff were attentive, service was quick and though we only came for desserts, these were delicious. We are definitely coming back to try their meals. This place is versatile and provides the right ambience for couples/friends and families.

The location and atmosphere are the real highlights — the view is stunning. We went at sunset and sat on the indoor deck area, which was beautiful. The restaurant itself is lovely, but unfortunately the food was disappointing, especially the lamb: it was fatty and dry…..and the 20% public holidays surcharge was surprised me.

We enjoyed the food so much on our first visit we went back the next day for more. We were only visiting Ballarat for two days. Seafood was fresh and delicious. Desserts were sublime. Thoroughly recommend the Boatshed.

Visited Turret Café on a Sunday and was really impressed from start to finish. The service was amazing — the staff were attentive, genuinely friendly, and created a welcoming vibe that made the whole experience even better. The café itself has a lovely atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed weekend meal. The food was the real highlight. The beef rendang pie was packed with flavour, with tender beef and just the right amount of spice. The Turret meatballs were also a standout, hearty and well-seasoned, making it a great dish to share. Everything came out fresh and beautifully presented. It’s definitely a place worth coming back to, and I’m already looking forward to trying more from their menu next time.

We loved the vibrant atmosphere and the impeccable service provided by the staff. Every detail felt thoughtfully curated to create a wonderful experience. This is truly a must-visit destination for brunch enthusiasts. Highly recommend!" 👌

Cozy heritage building cafe. The staff are amazing. Great Food and Great Coffee. Highly recommended for a weekday lunch/brunch. 🥰 Park your car on Errand St North for an easy worry free spot.

We stopped by here for coffee and scones while exploring Ballarat. We ended up ordering a second serving of scones because it was so good: warm, soft but firm, and perfectly paired with a local/homemade jam, butter, and cream. We also really liked the interiors of the cafe, in particular, the ornate fireplace, beautiful archway, and colourful paintings. A really nice vibe!

The Tuscan was amazing and thanks for the recommendation Belinda 😊 Wife live The Turett full breakfast and friend enjoyed the Farmers Garden. All presented immaculately. Coffee as always was amazing!

The Turret is my 'go to' cafe in Ballarat. It never fails to have great food. Today, I diversified from my usual Eggs Benny and had the Zucchini and Corn fritters. Ohhhh, they were so good! A little bit of spice but not too much. As usual, the staff were fabulous.

Burger was a 10/10 Benedict was good but eggs not runny that’s all but awesome place for breakfast

Gorgeous brunch in beautiful Ballarat. Thank you so much for our delicious meals today.

Came for breakfast this morning. Actually disappointed straight away no lactose milk. So no choice to order Skim milk which i know i didn't enjoy it. My husband and I love our coffee and disappointed with that. Definitely not recommend if you are lactose. My porridge was nice but the Eggs Benny average. Definitely not coming back again.

Loved it here! If I lived in Ballarat, I’d definitely be back to try everything gluten free there! So many coeliac safe options. The food was delicious - fresh and made well. The coffee was phenomenal, and as for the staff… amazing! Someone accidentally knocked the table, and my coffee spilled over. I hadn’t asked for a new one, but they automatically made me a new one, which was above and beyond what they had to do. Very very friendly, great at putting customers at ease - noticed they were lovely to everyone. Highly recommend! The cafe to visit if you are in Ballarat!

The food here was definitely and coffee was great also. Definitely a must visit.

We were drawn by the warm and open atmosphere, although we didn't get any food coffee was great and service was the best by one particular girl. I didn't get her name but she was the only one there that took the most initiative to greet, serve and direct us to the toilet when the little one needed to go all with a warm smile. You know who you are and you are the reason that I'd give this place a 5. On another note the food did look great and looks brunch worthy.

The chilli scrambled eggs were ace, but the service at Yellow Espresso is the standout. On a very wintry Saturday in Ballarat, we rocked up in the middle of brunch service with a request to seat an awkward 5 without a booking. They could have reasonably turned us away but instead promised a 10-15 minute wait, all the while checking in on us regularly and taking our drinks order, and then delivered on that wait time with a table. All smiles and kindness. And they split the bill 3 ways.

Cute cafe with great food, coffee and service. Went here on a Sunday morning, very popular but we walked up at the right time and managed to get the last table available. I recommend sitting outside as it offers a really nice experience. Almond flat white and soy cappuccino were really good and the two egg dishes we ordered were quite large serves, super fresh and tasted great.

Really love the atmosphere here. It truly gives a rustic, but cosy vibe. The food was really good. Generous portions- I ordered potato skins and they were so delicious. I also had the beef braised pie with mash and peas. Simple but so wholesome. The staff were lovely too.

Warm friendly pub. Comfortable place for a cold beer and good food.

My daughter and I had lunch at Irish Murphy's under it's new ownership. We both enjoyed our steak sandwiches and the Guinness on tap was the best we've had in a long time. So smooth with a nice creamy head. We will definitely go back, next time for dinner with the rest of our family.

The food was so good, and great atmosphere with the Irish pub vibe! We had the Irish stew on chips and steak sandwich

Food was excellent best irish stew ever and stickydate desert was great too!! Value for money and pleasent location and atmosphere (although it would of been better if they had live music playing instead of music just through the speakers). Would definitely suggest a visit.

Great little pub . Great atmosphere good service

First time going to an Irish pub. Really good experience Got the mix grill and eggplant Parma And a Jameson and Guiness. Just because Was served by Will. Exceptional service from him. Really good experience

Food/Drinks was good but the chicken Parma was a little burnt and dry and was just plain, not alot of flavour. Salad was small but ok and chips well the one thing I don't really like ... Yes pet peev is Chips under the parma makes them go soggy. The other Schnitzel was ontop of a small amount of mashed 🥔 potato and not a huge amount of veggies. Entrees of Battered Prawns was however quite delicious. The service was quick ( guess it helped to be in there right on opening for dinner time) The staff were welcoming. Loved the different chairs so much easier to sit and get out of than the silver ones they had.

We attended for a family birthday dinner with 2 toddlers in tow. There's a large family-friendly bathroom with a change table available. The staff were lovely! The food was really good also and came out quickly. We got steak perfectly cooked, calamari which was so soft and fresh and 2 kids meals, nuggets and a pasta. I can pick no fault. It was a lovely night

Friendly staff, very accommodating, nothing yoo much trouble . The Parmas were amazing!

Had lunch here today for brother birthday. My mother has no bottom teeth and I asked them if there was anything they could serve us that would help my mother eat. The staff could not have been more helpful with her needs and made her a special dish that wasn't on the menu and mum really enjoyed it since she could eat it. All the meals top quality and so was the customer service. Thank you to all concerned for a fantastic experience. We will back again once mum get her teeth back. I highly recommend the bunch of grapes to anyone looking for a good meal and even better customer service.

We have been to the Bunch of Grapes Hotel many times and have always enjoyed their meals. The staff are very friendly and efficient. A large variety on their menu and the cheesy bread is a favourite and so is the sticky date pudding!

We didn’t eat here but we stayed in the accommodation. Very well priced for a convenient, easy stay. Pristine room. New interiors, comfortable beds. All amenities. Couldn’t fault it. Thankyou.

5 of us dined out last night (a Saturday). We all ordered our meals at the same time. Two of the meals came very quickly. The other 3 of us sat and waited for more than 40 MINUTES!! (no exaggeration) for our meals. Lovely waitress apologised saying the kitchen didn’t communicate, and offered free coffee. But honestly - this excuse isn’t good enough. How cooks/chefs don’t know that grilled fish takes minutes versus other food - is beyond me. Partners pork chop was hard as a rock, my chicken Kiev was dry inside with zero butter. Parma was dry and chicken was thin as paper. Veggies were boiled carrot & cauli which were still hard and dry as a bone. With Ballarat having such an abundance of nice pubs - we definitely won’t be coming back.

What an unexpected surprise! We were in Ballarat buying time yesterday, waiting for our bikes to be ready for pick up, so we were on our way to Forge Pizzeria for a vegan pizza. We decided to see what other cafes or restaurants were in the vicinity and stopped at an unassuming restaurant called Saigon Allee to read the menu on the window. We could not see very well through the glass, but the menu had a number of vegan dishes so we decided to walk in. My wife and I were immediately hit with the most beautiful Vietnamese decor from top to bottom including murals...we could not believe how beautiful this restaurant was, not only was it decorated extremely well, the lighting was also soft and inviting and the music was cool and unobtrusive, allowing for conversation. The staff from the moment we walked in were courteous, helpful and inviting and appeared legitimately happy. Once we sat down we were given menus and served water, the menu had a number of vegan options and my wife and I ordered 2 entrees to share and a main meal each. The entrees came out first, they looked amazing and tasted just as great as they looked. We could not believe how beautiful this place was and how great the food was. Once we finished our entrees our plates and cutlery were cleared and replaced by fresh ones, this also added to the whole experience as many restaurants these days have lost the tradition. Our main meals came out and again the food was fantastic as was the service, we could not stop talking about what a great find this place was and already talking about coming back and taking family and friends. Unfortunately we totally forgot to take photos of our meal, but my wife did take some photos of the establishment. Honestly, do yourself a favour and have a meal at this place, you will not regret it and I'm sure you will go back. A big thankyou to the staff at Saigon Allee that looked after us and also to the owner of the establishment who appears to have put a large amount of work into making this restaurant so beautiful. Also a big thank you to the chef or chefs who cooked our exquisite meal, keep up the great work, we appreciate all of you.

I’ve been to Saigon Allee a few times now and ordered different items each time. The food is exceptional every time. Today I had the Lunch Special, Banh Mi and chose the Roast Pork filling. It was a large portion and very good value at only $13. Atmosphere inside the restaurant is consistently calm, quiet chatter, peaceful environment to get away from the office or to meet friends etc. Staff always polite and knowledgeable. I’ll be back again :)

Popped in before a show, shared the salt and pepper tofu with my friend- wait staff noticed we wanted to share and offered to make it a 4 piece starter. Also got a slow cooked beef curry which was gorgeous. Very filling meal, wonderful service and generally a nice time. Quite a limited menu which I appreciate as I get decision paralysis with too many options!

After reading some good reviews,we had high hopes for our dinner choice tonight, unfortunately we we left extremely underwhelmed. We tried both the pork and chicken bao buns which lacked ingredients. Personally I would say there the worst bao buns ever I've had. The roast pork with rice noodles sheets was ok however for $30 was very over priced for the dish with only 5 small pieces of roast pork, minimal salad and rice noodles not reflecting the dish displayed on Uber. The dumplings were nice however were cold which may be expected with Uber however we picked up order and only live 8 mins from the restaurant.

First time in Ballarat. Random search and went there we love the taste but at the end we had doughnut which was nice.

Great service, amazing decoration, food filled with zero flavour. We ordered 2 X different Pho and the broth for both had no flavour. It felt that they put the ingredients together and put hot water on top. I live in Vietnam and have tried Pho from all parts - North, Central and South and the broth is never supposed to be without flavour.

A delightful restaurant, with a decently realized effort at capturing the atmosphere of a Vietnamese eatery. While still more upscale that a standard restaurant, this venue suits a more relaxed, casual meal. The service is extremely prompt, and while there are certainly better options for drinks in the area the food is exquisite. We had the tasting platter, barramundi, pork belly, and both of the staple desserts and were extremely satisfied with everything. Genuinely some of the best barramundi I've had in my life, I only wish it was a staple menu item instead of a special, however they do have similar items as part of their regular menu. An excellent, comfortable and informal location for a date for catchup with a friend.

I love how your mobile can track you anywhere! 🤣 Even while sitting at a table to "unhealthy - ishly" have an icecream nearby with a friend - now that was delicious! So, always remember to turn off your mobiles location - if needed 🙄 👣 🍦👣 🙄 Oh and I hope all are having a lovely day (8th March 2025!) at Lake Wendouree for the "Botanical Gardens Begonia Festival" and the long-weekends Labour Day. Enjoy the "dogem-cars" too! 🏝 🚙 🏝 🍨

Good playground for kids. My only gripe was how dirty(thick dust) the playground was. The kids were filthy once they played on it & had to have a bath once we got home.

A little family time on this beautiful sunny Sunday. There was so much to see we didn't know where to start .this is the best time of year at Lake wendouree. The place was ALIVE .the paddle boats were fun too . Finnished off with a delicious ice cream on the lake 😋 .

The Apex Adventure Playground at Lake Wendouree is a fantastic spot for kids and families. There’s a wide range of play equipment to suit different ages, lots of space to explore, and the lakeside location makes it extra enjoyable with lovely views and picnic areas nearby. It can get quite busy at times, and parking can be a little tricky on weekends, but overall it’s a well-maintained and fun playground that keeps kids entertained for hours. Definitely worth a visit when you’re around Lake Wendouree!

Great playground catering for very young through to bigger kids. Lots of equipment and areas for kids to get lost in, inducing parental heart attacks! (It's the timber mazes that do it). Kids all there seemed to love it, and lovely setting on the banks of Lake Wendouree. Recommend.

Great park to bring children, such a large playground. It is not fenced so you definitely need to keep an extra close eye on them. It’s so close to the lake and has such a variety of birds to watch. I enjoyed watching many black swans swim around the lake and the various other water birds in the area. The bridges by the lake were lovely but the paths do get a bit muddy/slippery after rain. Lots of parking too and has public bbqs and toilets.

Greta park for the kids. Plenty of equipment with varying degrees of difficulty. Plenty of shaded seating around the park as well as amenities across the road. A nice little cafe close by for a coffee or lunch.

“What a great little bar – excellent selection and fantastic customer service! I’d make it my local if I lived in Ballarat.”

A great venue with home made pizza that was fabulous. Great service and a really comfy vibe. Will be back for sure!!!

Really impressed with the quality and service at Main Bar. Ordered the Salt Kitchen Ham and olive pizza, which was delicious. The wine list is excellent with a good representation of local wines at unbeatable prices.All staff were upbeat and very attentive. Well done to all involved and will definitely return for more of the same.

Beautiful old bar, great music, awesome pizza, quiet and intimate.

A great bar, nice beers on tap, and very welcoming staff cooked us pizza

They should have closed rather than accept our booking for 8 & then not have some items on the menu available to us. There is only pizza, so not too difficult to have all the ingredients necessary. No atmosphere, not even recorded music. And the guy working the night couldn't be less interested in making his only customers of the night feel like they mattered! As we left, we saw the coffee machine in the next room...it wasn't offered. We headed to Macca's and enjoyed cappuccino's and cake...hardly an endearing experience, sorry. Won't be going back. ☹️👎

Great place for food, service and ambiance. The connected Open Pantry is fab for lunch and deli supplies, then Main Bar for dinner, then upstairs or outside for indie entertainment. Love it!

Underbar menu changes so they don't have menu on the website. The mystery menu was an exciting experience and every dish was prepared well by the chef. My favourite had to be the bagel donut, the truffle and trout.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dining at Underbar is an unforgettable journey of flavor, artistry, and impeccable service. Each plate a revelation- masterfully crafted with thoughtful consideration to the seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques. The tasting menu guided us through a series of beautifully balanced courses, with each bite telling its own story. From the intimate atmosphere to the flawless wine pairings, every detail was astutely curated. This is an experience that lingers long after the last bite. Highly recommended for those who appreciate culinary excellence at its finest- worth the trip to Ballarat- the jewel on the crown of our culinary weekend away.

Underbar steak nite on Friday was sensational and great value for the best restaurant in Ballarat! Steak was perfectly cooked in medium and all the sides were outstanding!!! Couldn’t fault anything we had the perfect night with fantastic service. I would definitely recommend!

Forget flowers, this is how you taste romance on a plate A date night to remember @restaurantunderbar Ballarat with my partner that felt like stepping into a private culinary theatre. With only a handful of seats, the magic unfolded right in front of us as the chef @derekboath cooked each course before our eyes—an intimate performance of skill, precision, and creativity. The journey began with a playful parfait served as an everything bagel donut, followed by delicate cauliflower with truffle and rosemary. Each dish felt like a story, from trout with roe, radish, and apple to the silken chawanmushi with calamari, preserved lemon, and cucumber. Heartier flavours arrived with pork, garlic, and a cassoulet of beans, then beef with potato, smoked eggplant, comfort elevated to art. Desserts were no less extraordinary: strawberry with verjus, crème fraiche, and kefir, a bold balance of sweet and tangy, leading into a rich plate of dark chocolate with blood orange, mandarin, and tangelo. To finish, delicate touches of raspberry and rose and a dreamy hibiscus ‘all things sleepy’ left us lingering in quiet bliss. Every plate was plated with elegance, every flavour purposeful, and watching it all come together in front of us made the experience even more special. A night of fine dining, intimacy, and connection—one we’ll remember for years. Open only on weekends. Reservations required. We booked two weeks before our visit. 🏷️ thanks to my partner for this amazing dinner for my birthday. Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Far and away the highest quality dining experience in Ballarat. So much is achieved by Derek, Tony and Evie with limited space. The presentation and attention to detail is great but the standout is how truly flavour packed everything is. No one into food could fail to appreciate this experience.

Outstanding culinary experience; this restaurant is on par with Australia’s best. The care and attention put into every detail is evident, from the decor (including the sideboard displaying carefully-selected spirits which the chef passionately describes in detail), the music, the presentation of each dish and matched wine by the chef and sommelier, down to the exquisitely-plated food. Definitely worth chatting to Chef Derek as he works his magic in the kitchen, especially about where he sources and forages for his ingredients with his wife and daughter. Service is on-point; efficient but warm and unobtrusive. No doubt word will spread nationally soon.

Waited a long time to make the trip to Underbar and it did not disappoint! The food is Michelin star rated, service amazing, if you get chance sit at the Kitchen table and watch a master at work, cool, calm and collected all the way through service while chatting away about the produce and his experiences throughout his career, hopefully will get the chance to visit again some time soon!

The Ballarat Farmers Market is a vibrant showcase of the region’s fine local produce, street food and artisanal goods - a wonderful community hub and one of the best places to shop local. Set against the charming backdrop of Lake Wendouree, the market brings together growers, makers, and the community in a welcoming and well-organized setting. There’s always an impressive range of fresh seasonal produce, gourmet breads, cheeses, preserves, meats, and unique handmade goods. There are also plants, such as seedlings, shrubs, trees, and flowers. The market is well set out, easy to explore, and has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Stallholders are welcoming and passionate about what they do, which makes every visit a great experience. Whether you’re stocking up on fresh food or just browsing with a coffee in hand, it’s a must-visit in Ballarat.

Great market in lovely gardens, big shady trees and a big variety of stalls from hand made items, home made jams and chutneys, coffee vans, bakery goods, food from all over the world, stalls selling wine, port, beer and gin. I may have spent too much again

If you're in Ballarat on a weekend, the Farmers Market is an absolute must-visit. Set in the beautiful surrounds of Lake Wendouree, it offers a relaxed, community vibe with stalls that celebrate local growers, artisans, and small businesses. The variety is impressive — from seasonal fruits and veg straight from the farm, to artisan breads, local honey, gourmet cheeses, and handmade crafts. There's also fresh coffee and delicious food trucks that make it perfect for a casual brekky or brunch by the lake. What stands out most is the friendly atmosphere. Stallholders are always up for a chat, offering samples and sharing the story behind their produce. It’s the kind of place where you feel connected to where your food comes from. 💡 Tips: Bring a tote bag (or two!) Arrive early for the best selection Plenty of parking nearby, but it can get busy on sunny days Don't forget to bring cash and coins — while some stalls have card readers, many are cash-only, especially the smaller vendors. Whether you’re after organic veggies, a unique handmade gift, or just a relaxing morning out, the Ballarat Farmers Market delivers every time. Highly recommended for locals and visitors alike!

so many good food and makers market stalls. such a nice way to spend a saturday morning

I have visited once and will go again since I really like the vibes. People are enjoying , buying fresh fruits, vegetable, choosing delicious food. Overall it’s a fun day and you will get to see Ballarat charm comes together… recommended.😃

Fabulous Market Wide Range Of Produce. This is a great market with fresh veggies, art and craft and excellent coffee. The sourdough croissants are exceptionally good, crunchy and very tasty. There are a number of fresh produce stalls and you can see how fresh all the vegetables are! Shaded by large old trees, you can sit under to enjoy a feast from all the different food offerings and walk it all off with a walk around pretty Lake Wendouree. Great to see everyone out and about enjoying themselves, even the family with a pet lamb on a lead:)

A little Farmer Market along the lake. It is not a big market but you could find something for your Sunday Roast, quick lunch, dog treats, and fresh produce. It would be much better if there is more fresh produce stalls join in this market next time in the future.

The view wasn't amazing I wouldn't go there for that. Nice for a walk (or mountain bike we didn't do) but be prepared for steep hills to come back up if you park up the top.

Went there for the mtb trails. Trails and pump tracks not in good condition. Lot of debris. Black tracks in better condition. No toilet.

Black Hill reserve is more popular destination for bikers and walkers alike. There are 9 trails you can choose from - just be cautious if you are on a bike, there might be pedestrians who are simply enjoying a walk in nature. All trails don't have a proper path or steps so be very careful especially when going down. There is a big rock formation - which you will encounter on some of the walks. Head towards route 9 or 4 to reach the bottom of the said rock.

Nice hike great view

As a result of my first assessment of the area to ride the Mountain bike trails on black hill 🤔 The experience was worth the opportunity totally 👌 The trails are set up for all riders offering a diverse range of technical terrain & other tracks that all can easily appreciate 😃 The addition to the area is geologically interesting for those interested in the old school process of gold recovery 🤔

A great walk for those who love hills and gullies. Some steep steps, and you'll have to get back up! It's a wonderful atmosphere though, and fascinating seeing the rock faces. If you have dogs, leave them at home if they pull on the lead, as there's no guard rail on the descent. We thoroughly enjoyed it, and will return for more exploration!

Great place to have a bike rides and there are few tracks based on skills level. I tried few tracks and those were really good. If you are visiting first time, you better take your bike suitable for these tracks.

Lazily mismanaged. Literally one lane available for swimming laps in to share with about 10 other swimmers. The rest booked out for classes in peak hour and one full of water walking people who don’t need a lane. Wasn’t told on purchase, and availability isn’t communicated online either. Don’t bother unless you’re a toddler.

Great place to briefly cool- off, and have a poolside bbq/ picnic .... however the smaller 1m pool nearest to the often closed kiosk needs some TLC. The filter doesn't appear to be working properly lately, you can catch strands of other people's hair between your fingers while wading in the shallow water, along with debris, used bandaids, leaves and clumps of dirt/ cement etc. The splash park is often out of order for the little ones too. 😞 The concrete surface around the pool closest to the entry appears to be breaking up and washing away and has sunk around the outlet filters entry pipes posing a real safety risk to staff and patrons. Several children kept tripping over this filter outlet ( see in attached photo) , my daughter included ( scraped knees) which I suspect is the reason for all those floating bandaids in the pool? Please Ballarat Council, can we do better than this? I really want to give this pool a university city worthy review now, and well into the future. How about a couple of waterslides, every other regional city, including Geelong and Bendigo has a decent aquatic centre with waterslides.

Aquatic Center has a big kids pool with a slide and toys that's heated to mid 20s and is around 1m deep so good for parents too. For really hot days there is the splash zone with water dump and various sprinklers. For toddlers getting introduced to the water there is a paddling pool and for adults or teens a full sized pool for laps etc. again all heated. Clean and well cared for and one of the few public pools I've been to that he a few inflatable toys and floating stuff for kids.

I swim here after work a bit, as the Aquatic Centre is quite often busy with squaddies. We'll run, usually plenty of lane space and you can have a decent shower.

First time i have been here for years. Very disappointed kiosk staff were rude and had no idea what they were doing. Bring back the waterslide, well a new one anyway. Kids pool was not very clean.

nice swimming pool the main 50m lap pool is only 2m at its deepest and the smaller 25m non lap pool has a slide but its very shallow so only go on it if your 40 kg or under (you will probably bang your butt if you're any heavier)

Love it 2 young grandchildren. Plenty of shade. Somewhere to shower. Lots of pools to choose from.

Firstly, Catherine (apologies for spelling) was an amazing host! She was flat out the entire time and a smile never left her face. Catherine was so considerate of everyone!!! The kids were in admiration of her. Thank you 🙏🏻. So, the 4 of us raced yesterday and the 2 kids returned today as it was a massive highlight (mum & dad sat out today). We will definitely return.

What an amazing venue!!!! Catherine was brilliant & really made us feel welcomed & informed for go karting & Laserforce. Whilst us foreigners from newcastle were able to do the best time, the track was fast flowing, technical but rewarding for little skill. Laserforce was amazing with many great tactical positions & game play options. Looking forward to returning before we go home. Thanks Catherine & team!!

We had my daughters 10th Birthday party at laserforce yesterday with 11 of her friends. They all had a fantastic time, staff were very helpful, professional and attentive, especially with the ones who had never played or were a little nervous. Highly recommend 👏

Workers are absolutely lovely. We had our son’s party there. We were told to arrive 15 minutes early which we had and the room was still in use. Once it was cleaned the room was a perfect size. We had 22 kids in the group. The only thing that was really disappointing was that we had only been given two jugs of water. When asked for another they said they had no more. The host was having to do the front desk as well as the party. So they were unable to keep an eye on the games when they were over, so the parents had to do most of the work. I would like to suggest more water jugs. And for them to be larger. If you are planning a party be sure to bring everything yourself including tablecloths, cups and plates. The only thing supplied are the jugs of water

We had a family go-kart party of 12 people and the team there where fantastic and looked after us all day. We had two races 🏁 with the track all to ourselves each time... It was fantastic fun with the whole family joining in. The ages ranged from 23 to 63. I'd highly recommend this experience 👌 we'd all love to do it again 😀

Came here to celebrate my birthday and had a few mix ups with booking and how many people were attending. Staff were fantastic and understanding, especially manager Catherine. We had a great time and will definitely be coming back!

We had a great time, and our daughter had her first drive independently she's 7. The crew help her so well and gave her so much positive feedback even after the 20th wall tap. Thanks guys 🙂👍

Loved this place! Kids will definitely have a lot of fun for water play and there is also a playground.

We originally went to the one in Sebastopol (they were doing maintenance on a Sunday)... This was the alternative. There is more of a playground at this space and the water parks are very similar but there is no fencing (given a main road, a little confusing). Overall pretty decent...

Excellent place to drop in with the kids on a warm day. Lots of shade and grassed areas to sit in. A great free initiative from the council. Kids love it. Also has a great little playground and handy restrooms.

Wonderful park. Great for toddler to primary school aged children. Lots of shade. Playground and toilets too.

Very clean park, bbqs regularly cleaned. Public toilet access just maybe need x2 toilets. Can't wait to bring kids in the summer. Central highlands need to inspect their water drinking tap it's always leaking.

An enjoyable and clean play space. Would benefit from more shaded areas as they fill up fast on hot days. Unfenced and open to busy Doveton St, although a good area of lawn separates the road and park, but worth notibg if you have a runner.