Bowls in Ballarat: Your 3-Day Itinerary

Four local Ballarat bowls clubs are set to host representative teams from across the state for Bowls Victoria’s Region Sides Championships from 13-14 January 2024.

Whether you are here to compete for the weekend, or to support family and friends on the green, we recommend arriving a day early to settle in ahead of the matches. Explore this three-day itinerary to make the most of your time in Ballarat.

DAY 1: FRIDAY 12 JANUARY 2024

Arrive early to explore Ballarat’s rich history and see the original Eureka flag at the Eureka Centre. Open 10am – 5pm, the centre is situated near the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade. The onsite café, Lilly’s at Eureka, overlooks the memorial gardens and lake. Tuck into delicious baguettes, freshly baked cakes and speciality coffee. Tea-lovers will enjoy the quality loose leaf chai and Devonshire tea.

There is also a heated 50m outdoor pool next to the Eureka Centre for those who like to stay limber.

Spend the afternoon exploring the grand streetscapes of Sturt Street and Lydiard Street. Uncover unique gifts at Sweet Fern fragrance boutique, and vintage-hunter’s delight Rocket and Belle. Next to the Ballarat Mining Exchange, destination bookstore Collins Booksellers Ballarat occupies three adjoining historic shopfronts on Lydiard Street.

Foodies will want to detour to Saltbush Kitchen’s immersive new bushfoods store tucked away on Urquhart Street. Nearby, you’ll find The Crafty Squirrel and Hattie and the Wolf, both packed full of handmade treasures, homewares and gifts, including a great range for babies and kids.

Rather than window shopping, you might prefer to spend a few hours (or the whole day) exploring Sovereign Hill.

Gather your team for an evening at The Goods Shed, home to new distillery Itinerant Spirits. This impressive bar near Ballarat Railway Station shares the bluestone shed with Nolans restaurant and Boom Time Dumplings.

If a relaxed evening over a shared pizza sounds like a better plan, head over to Carboni’s Italian Kitchen.

DAY 2: SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 2024

Ballarat has a top-notch café scene, with plenty of options to get your fill before a big day of competition kicks off. Try Johnny Alloo (open 7am), Eclectic Tastes (open 7.30am), Drive (open 8am), Hydrant Food Hall (open 8am), or The Stables at Hotel Canberra (open 8am).

The championship consists of three rounds across the day, so a sweet treat will help keep your energy up. Stock up on pastries-to-go from 1816 Bakehouse or Beechworth Bakery Ballarat before heading out to your matches.

After the competition wraps for the day, venture into the heart of the city and explore Armstrong Street (known locally as “Eat Street”). Take your pick of flavours from around the world with South American fare at Pancho, authentic Spanish at Meigas, pho at Saigon Allee, or Asian fusion at prohibition-era inspired bar Grainery Lane. For comfort food head to Mair Street, where you’ll find modern Italian diner Ragazzone.

If you’re in the finals tomorrow (well done), it may be time for an early night.

For those free of match commitments in the morning, there’s always Ellington’s Wine Room, Renard or Mitchell Harris Wine Bar for an evening tipple. Hidden down an umbrella-lined laneway, Hop Temple has a relaxed atmosphere, with live music from 9pm on Saturdays.

Night owls looking for an evening with an historic twist can head to Sovereign Hill for the Aura sound and light show, starting at 9.15pm.

DAY 3: SUNDAY 14 JANUARY 2024

The Grand Finals kick off today at Sebastopol Bowls Club. Whether you are competing or spectating, there’s plenty to explore in Ballarat either side of the matches.   

Start the day with a morning stretch and stroll around Lake Wendouree. For brekkie or coffee with lakeside views, stop by Pipers by the Lake (open 8am), Ballarat Yacht Club (open 8am), or Racers Café (open 7am).

Early risers can wander the Ballarat Botanical Gardens from 7.30am, with the Robert Clark Conservatory opening a little later, from 9am. The summer display in the conservatory includes hydrangeas, fuchsias and pelargoniums.

The nearby Ballarat Tramway Museum has a display hall full of historic tramcars. Join one of the museum’s enthusiastic volunteers for a short tram ride alongside the sprawling gardens (guided tours and group visits can be arranged on request).  

Art lovers will want to check out Australia’s oldest regional gallery. Current exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Ballarat include indigenous jewellery, a showcase of Victorian printmakers, and Significant Others, which explores the relationships between significant artists in the gallery’s permanent collection. Entry is free, with guided tours at 11am daily.

Those who prefer some extra outdoor time can visit the Ballarat Wildlife Park, take a leisurely walk on the accessible trail at Woowookarung Regional Park, or if time permits, head further afield to catch your own lunch at Tuki Trout Farm (located near Smeaton, about 40min drive from Ballarat).

In the late afternoon, loop back to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens for Summer Sundays. Enjoy free live music from 4-8pm, followed by a Fireworks Spectacular over Lake Wendouree at 9.30pm.

If you’d rather spend Sunday evening winding down at one of Ballarat’s historic pubs, check out our guide to watering holes around town. And for something a bit more celebratory, there’s always the six-course degustation at Hotel Canberra.

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Staying a little longer in the region? Explore places to stay and where to explore beyond Ballarat.