If someone says they're bored in Ballarat, they're probably not in Ballarat.
From spooky ghost tours to big hungry crocs and knights in shining armour, you never quite know what's around the corner...
Eerie Tours
Cross to the dark side with Ballarat's Eerie Tours.
Experience a different kind of nightlife on a guided ghost tour, set against Ballarat’s Gothic-inspired architecture.
Or step up the scary factor with stories of death, disease and drama at the Ballarat Old Cemetery.
Meigas
33 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat
For a taste of Spain without the plane, buckle up and prepare for landing at Meigas.
There ain't no time for siestas when you've got authentic Spanish classics and spirited flamenco dancing on the menu.
Whether you're all about the paella, patatas bravas or pinchos morunos, you'll swear you've been transported to a trendy tapas bar in Barcelona.
Art Gallery of Ballarat
40 Lydiard St Nth, Ballarat
New things, old things, weird things, cool things – it's a little bit of everything at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.
Australia's oldest regional gallery has stood proud in Lydiard Street North since 1890.
From colonial to contemporary, soak up key moments in the history of Australian art, along with touring exhibitions exclusive to Ballarat.
Hop Lane
Off Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat
Go all out Rihanna and "stand under my umbrella" in Hop Lane.
This year-round activation features a kaleidoscope of umbrellas which form a canopy between CBD bars Roy Hammond and Hop Temple.
Their colours change depending on the season so, one day, the umbrellas could be red and white but next time you're in town, they might be black, yellow and red.
Sovereign Hill
Think you know everything there is to know about Sovereign Hill because you went there in primary school? Think again.
See a different side of the outdoor living museum with:
- underground mine tour Trapped, which depicts the true story of one of Australia’s worst underground mining disasters (complete with sound, wind and water effects)
- new annual events including Heritage Harvest Weekend (May) and the Food, Fire & Light Festival (October)
- the Wadawurrung creation story unfolding under the night sky as part of the AURA sound and light spectacular
Rare Trades Centre
Bradshaw St, Ballarat
Ever wanted to make your own jewellery, learn traditional weaving or go full medieval and craft your own armour?
Learn something new while preserving something old with a hands-on workshop at the Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades (or the Rare Trades Centre for short).
You can also go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections and its hidden vaults of over 150,000 cultural treasures.
Ballarat Wildlife Park
250 Fussell St, Ballarat
Tigers and crocodiles in Ballarat? Oh my!
Stride on into the Ballarat Wildlife Park to see Sumatran tigers Kai and Akasha in their state-of-the-art sanctuary.
And don't miss feeding time with one of Australia's biggest crocodiles, Crunch the five-metre-long saltwater croc.
If cute and cuddly is more your thing, sign up for an animal encounter with a snuggly koala, curious tree kangaroo or a cheeky family of meerkats.
Kryal Castle
121 Forbes Rd, Ballarat
No, you're not seeing things – there really is a medieval castle at the bottom of that mountain.
Cross the drawbridge and enter the mythical world of Kryal Castle, complete with jousting knights, sword fights and sometimes even dragons and unicorns.
You can even go all in by staying the night in one of the castle's themed suites.
Nimons Bridge
170 Galatea Rd, Newtown
Have your phone or camera charged and ready to roll because you're going to want to take plenty of pics at Nimons Bridge.
Built in 1890, this imposing landmark is one of Victoria's largest timber trestle bridges.
Part of the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail, Nimons Bridge is a must-see for that special Kodak moment.
