Make your money go further with our list of 20 Ballarat places to eat, drink, play and explore for less than $20...
1. Entry is free at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, including the Robert Clark Conservatory.
2. You can also visit the Art Gallery of Ballarat for free (excluding ticketed exhibitions), with free guided tours at 11am daily. Please note: The gallery will be closed from 3 March 2025 until early 2026 due to extensive interior upgrades.
3. Explore the social history and cultural impact of the Victorian gold rush at the Eureka Centre. Entry is free for Ballarat residents on provision of photo ID.
4. Make a splash at the Ballarat Aquatic & Lifestyle Centre with its 25m and 50m heated pools, rehabilitation and multipurpose pool, spa, steam room, and learn to swim pool with frog slide.
5. Visit the Ballarat Tramway Museum and go for a ride on a vintage tram.
6. Hit the trampolines at indoor play centre Xtreme Bounce.
7. Explore the city's streets on one of Ballarat’s free self-guided walking tours. Options include Contemporary, Historic Streetscapes, War History, Sturt Street, and Lake Wendouree.
8. For some old school fun, head to Oz Tenpin Ballarat and enjoy a round of bowling.
9. Sign up for a free tour of the Ballarat Town Hall every Wednesday and Friday at 2pm. Or take a tour of the historic Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute on Tuesdays at 2pm.
10. During the annual Ballarat Winter Festival every June/July, take to the ice at the city's pop-up ice skating rink.
11. From November to April, jump on board the Golden City Paddle Steamer for a 45-minute cruise on Lake Wendouree every Sunday from 10am-3pm. Or hit the water with Lake Wendouree Pedal Boat Hire.
12. Practice your golf swing at Gold Rush Mini Golf.
13. Check out the extensive range of native Australian birdlife at Ballarat Bird World.
14. For some of the city's best outdoor playgrounds, head to the Lake Wendouree Adventure Playground, Victoria Park's Inclusive Play Space and the Eureka Stockade Gardens Playground.
15. Soak up the fresh air and wide open spaces at Lal Lal Falls, Mount Buninyong, Woowookarung Regional Park and the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail.
16. At Aunty Jacks, snap up a burger and pot for just $20 every Friday from midday-4pm.
17. The Lake View Hotel is the place to be on weekdays between 3.30pm-5pm. During School’s Out happy hour, get half price milkshakes, soft drinks, hot drinks, chips, wedges, pizza, house wine, tap beer and more in the alfresco and bar areas.
18. At The North Star Hotel, take your pick from Thursday's $20 burger night or the 3.30pm-6pm weekday happy hour with cheap drinks and half price snacks.
19. Drop into the Golden City Hotel for $19.50 express lunch specials weekdays from 11am-5pm.
20. Grab a pimped-up sandwich at Pat's Sandwiches, Cobb's Coffee or Shep St Sandos.
Note: This information is correct as of January 2025.
