Things to do

Family fun

From indoor fun and outdoor fun to fun on-the-run, there's plenty to keep family members of all ages entertained in Ballarat.

Ballarat Wildlife Park

Ready, set, go!

When you’ve got kids, family-friendly cafes and restaurants are always at the top of your mind when eating…

Let your family’s curiosity run riot as you adventure through one of Victoria’s most enchanting destinations… Seek out…

With Victoria long known as Australia’s ‘Garden State’, Ballarat plays a big role in this claim to fame…

When a photo is good enough to be posted on Instagram, you just know! Lucky for us, we’re…

Join Ryan Smith from The Access Agency as he gets a taste of Ballarat’s access-friendly cafes, restaurants, hotels…

Get a taste of farm life and soak up the Ballarat region’s fresh air, fertile land and wide…

Who needs the beach when you can eat, drink and play by – or on – the water…

If someone says they’re bored in Ballarat, they’re probably not in Ballarat. From spooky ghost tours to big…

From live music and theatre to stand-up comedy and family favourites, get your entertainment fix at Ballarat’s Civic…


Choose your own adventure

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Art Gallery of Ballarat

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is not just Australia’s oldest regional gallery but one of its most exciting.…

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Ballarat Aquatic & Lifestyle Centre

The Ballarat Aquatic & Lifestyle Centre (BALC) is here for you. Located in the heart of Ballarat, BALC…

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Ballarat Aviation Museum

Ballarat Aviation Museum is located within the grounds of the Ballarat Aerodrome. Ballarat Aerodrome was a RAAF base…

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Ballarat Bird World

Take a stroll along the raised walkway past the landscaped waterfall and gardens to view the birds on…

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Ballarat Botanical Gardens

Located on the western shore of Lake Wendouree, approximately four kilometres from Ballarat’s CBD, the Gardens are a…

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Ballarat Indoor Go Karts, Laserforce & Entertainment Centre

Ballarat’s Family Entertainment Centre with Go-Karts & Laserforce and Arcade Games are all under the one roof. Offering…

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Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum

The Ballarat Observatory is one of the oldest observatories in regional Australia, with one of the best collections…

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Ballarat Tramway Museum

Travel back in time through the beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens alongside Lake Wendouree. By riding one of the…

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Ballarat Wildlife Park

Winner of Victoria’s Best Attraction at the 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards. Ballarat Wildlife Park is set amongst the…

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Black Hill Reserve and Mountain Bike Trails

The Black Hill Reserve includes the Black Hill lookout, offering sweeping views of Ballarat and the surrounding district…

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Civic Hall Ballarat

Ballarat’s Civic Hall has re-emerged as one of the City’s most popular and adaptable event spaces. Following a…

Thumbnail for Dementia Friendly Forest & Sensory Trail (Woowookarung Regional Park)

Dementia Friendly Forest & Sensory Trail (Woowookarung Regional Park)

Dementia-friendly Forest and Sensory Trail In 2021, Australia’s first Dementia-friendly Forest and Sensory Trail was created in the…

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Eureka Centre Ballarat

Each year the Eureka Centre welcomes people from around the world who seek a meaningful connection to one…

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G-VR

Where reality Meets the Virtual, the exclusive un-paralleled gaming experience. Bringing the absolute latest five player full body…

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Golden City Paddle Steamer and Museum Society

View the history of paddle boats, the digital photographic images and watch new and old videos of activities…

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Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat

Her Majesty’s Theatre is one of Australia’s most historic theatres. Opened in 1875 Her Maj is the oldest…

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Inclusive Play-Space

The concept for an Inclusive Play-Space in Ballarat came from the community in 2012 and was driven through…

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Lake Wendouree

Lake Wendouree has been a community destination for more than 150 years. Located in central Ballarat next to…

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Mount Buninyong

Mount Buninyong is an extinct volcanic mountain 745m above sea level. It’s a great landmark of the Buninyong…

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Sovereign Hill

Sovereign Hill is a living museum presenting the story of Ballarat as a gold rush boomtown. Gold was…

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Woowookarung Regional Park

Woowookarung – ‘place of plenty’ is part of the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung Aboriginal people. Woowookarung Regional…

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Xtreme Bounce

Get ready to have fun with your family and friends at the regions only trampoline center, Xtreme Bounce…

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Kryal Castle

Enjoy a range of activities at Kryal Castle; located just a short drive from Ballarat city center. This…

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Lal Lal Falls

Lal Lal Falls is a waterfall 20 minutes’ drive from Ballarat with an impressive drop into a large,…

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Lerderderg State Park

Rising in the Great Dividing Range, the Lerderderg River has cut a 300 metre deep gorge through sandstone…

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Payne’s Orchards

Pick-Your-Own farm fresh fruit. Payne’s Orchard’s are one of the few genuine small family orchards left in Australia.…

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Telford Park All Abilities Sculpture Trail

The Telford Park All Abilities Sculpture Trail is located in Bacchus Marsh. 1.8km of all abilities trail winds…

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Werribee Gorge State Park

Werribee Gorge retains a wild, rugged natural beauty. The park offers spectacular views and great opportunities for bushwalking…

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Calembeen Park

Calembeen Park’s two beautiful lakes are home to birdlife and waterlily displays. There is also a toddlers’ pool…

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Creswick Regional Park

Centrally located between Ballarat and Daylesford, this park is home to a variety of native wildlife and colourful…

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Djuwang Baring – Creswick Trails

Construction began early in 2023 on a network of 60 km of mountain bike trails at Creswick. ​…

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Hammon Park Trailhead Creswick

Hammon Park is home to the trailhead of the Creswick Trails Project which, when completed, will consist of…

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Maze House

Maze House is located on the Midland Highway ten minutes from Daylesford and ten minutes from Creswick, with…

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Tuki Trout Farm

Discover Tuki’s unforgettable experiences as you soak up the breathtaking scenery and stunning location with uninterrupted views of…

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Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail

The 53km Ballarat–Skipton Rail Trail runs along the former railway to Skipton, from western Ballarat, Haddon, Smythesdale and…

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Cyril Callister Museum: The man who invented Vegemite

The Cyril Callister Museum celebrates the life, work and legacy of Dr Cyril Callister, the Australian scientist who…

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Visitor Information Centre
Ballarat Town Hall

225 Sturt Street
Ballarat VIC 3350

Acknowledgement of Country

Across Victoria’s Midwest, we acknowledge that we travel across the ancient landscapes of many First Peoples communities. These lands have been nurtured and cared for over tens of thousands of years and we respect the work of Traditional Custodians for their ongoing care and protection.

We recognise the past injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country. As our knowledge grows, we hope that we can learn from their resilience and creativity that has guided them for over 60,000 years. As we invite people to visit and explore Victoria’s Midwest, we ask that alongside us, you also grow to respect the stories, living culture and connection to Country of the Ancestors and Elders of our First Peoples.


©️ 2024 Visit Ballarat. This initiative is funded by the City of Ballarat and Tourism Midwest Victoria.