Sovereign Hill is an incredible living museum chock full of actors and activities to make you feel like you’re living in the 1850s gold rush. Follow this guide to make the most of your day out at Sovereign Hill.
Victoria
Ultimate Ballarat guide: best things to see and do in Ballarat
From panning for gold at Sovereign Hill to jousting battles at Kryal Castle, there’s plenty to do on a getaway to Ballarat.
Just 90 minutes from Melbourne's CBD lies Ballarat, Victoria’s largest inland city. Derived from the Indigenous words for 'resting place', and famed for being the home of the richest goldfields in the 1850s, fortune hunters came from all over the world to Ballarat with hopes of striking gold. This historical town is filled with a rich gold rush heritage, Victorian architecture and lovely landscapes, from rollicking hills to lakes, trails and gardens.
Whether you’re going for a day trip, weekend or longer stay, here's our guide to the best things to see and do in Ballarat, Victoria. Whether you’re looking for a fun day of family activity, wanting to find gold or you just want to soak up some nature, Ballarat has activities for all ages.
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The best things to do in Ballarat: attractions, galleries and museums
Sovereign Hill
Sovereign Hill might be Ballarat's most popular attraction - and for good reason. This authentically recreated 1850s gold rush village is open Tuesday to Sunday, plus school holidays and public holidays. Set on a real former gold mining site, Sovereign Hill delights visitors with underground mine tours, gold panning opportunities, traditional shops and dwellings, costumed characters, coach rides, and working demonstrations. RACV Members save on tickets to Sovereign Hill too.
Onsite, the Gold Museum (Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections) displays beautiful colonial costumes, furniture, gold, miners' licences, and more. There's also the Australian Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, which offers paid workshops on rare skills and knowledge such as metalworking, woodworking, leatherworking, lacemaking, locksmithing, and calligraphy.
Tack on the AURA Sound & Light Spectacular experience if possible. This 90-minute nighttime projection show is a fascinating display about life on the gritty goldfields.
Visiting in July? Don't miss Winter Wonderlights, another nighttime experience that puts on a magical wintry show complete with faux snow for guests.
The Eureka Centre
No trip to Ballarat is complete without a visit to the Eureka Centre. It's located at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park: the site of the famous 1854 Eureka Stockade that saw gold miners rebel against the government for their rights. Along with the Eureka Flag itself, the Eureka Centre hosts an exhibition on the historical moment, plus momuments, memorials, and a park complete with lake. Learn about the Eureka story right where it happened.
Ballarat Wildlife Park
Get up close and personal with animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park, which allows guests to hand-feed more than 100 free-roaming kangaroos. You'll see a large koala colony, wombats, emus, Tasmanian devils, little penguins, and other Australian native animals. Don't miss Crunch the giant saltwater crocodile, who is fed on weekends and school holidays in a breathtaking croc show.
Giggle at quoll antics from the onsite cafe, marvel at the stunning tree kangaroo, explore a reptile house full of pythons and venemous snakes, and wave to giant tortoises, komodo dragons and other gentle giants. There's even a tiger sanctuary housing two Sumatran-Siberian tigers! There are multiple animal presentations throughout the day, and you can purchase animal encounters to get even closer to a select range of animals. Plus, RACV Members save on tickets to Ballarat Wildlife Park.
Sovereign Hill has a wealth of activities for the whole family. Image: Visit Victoria
Kryal Castle
Kryal Castle is a fantasy medieval theme park set in amazing castle grounds. Kids (and history buffs) will love a day out at this sprawling medieval land, with jousting and combat displays, archery, labyrinths, dungeons, ye olde shoppes and much more. Keep your eyes peeled for wizards, knights, dragons, unicorns and witches! Best of all, RACV Members save on tickets to Kryal Castle.
Ballarat Aviation Museum
The Ballarat Aviation Museum at Ballarat Airport was used as a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base during and after World War II. It was also home to the No 1 Wireless and Gunners School (1 WAGS), which trained more than 6,000 wireless operators, air gunners and navigators. You can visit the remaining museum to see aircrafts, missiles, target drones, ground flight ismulators, aerial cameras, early aviation equipment, and more.
Gold Rush Mini Golf
Come rain or shine, you can get lost in the fun at Gold Rush Mini Golf in Ballarat. Featuring two themed courses (one indoors devoted to 'the Lost World', with dinosaurs, castles and pirates, and one outdoors celebrating the gold rush) plus an arcade, it’s sure to keep you entertained from dawn to dark. Don't miss taking a photo with The Big Miner sculpture to join the list of Big Things on a holiday drive!
Don't miss the jousting tournaments at Kryal Castle. Image: Visit Victoria
Art Gallery of Ballarat
The Art Gallery of Ballarat is Australia's oldest and largest regional gallery. Founded in 1884, it remains in a heritage-listed gallery. Join a free guided tour daily at 11am to hear the stories behind the artworks, or browse the range of Australian impressionists, ceramics, Indigenous art, metalworks, paintings and more yourself. The onsite gift shop is full of great gifts, including products made locally in Ballarat.
Please note: the Art Gallery of Ballarat is closed for interior upgrades until early 2026.
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Motor enthusiasts will love the Ballarat Tramway Museum, located within the Ballarat Botanical Gardens on the western side of Lake Wendouree. This interactive museum displays several historic trams that once ran in Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne. Your ticket includes a 3.2km return tram ride on Wendouree Parade from the museum.
Sanctuary Day Spa
At Ballarat's Sanctuary Day Spa, you can indulge in a heated hydrotherapy pool and a dry heat sauna for a therapeutic spa session. Located within the Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre, the Sanctuary Day Spa also features private bathing, a floating pedicure lounge, and a relaxation lounge with an open fireplace. There are also massages, body wraps, facials and other spa treatments on offer.
Relive the good old days at the Ballarat Tramway Museum. Image: Visit Victoria
The best walks, waterfalls and hikes in Ballarat
Ballarat Botanical Gardens
If the sun is shining and you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors, consider a leisurely stroll through the stunning Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Established in 1858, it's one of Victoria's oldest botanical gardens and is full of floral displays, conservatories, heritage-listed trees, and Italian marble statues.
There's a great 6km walking track around Lake Wendouree, which is home to many black swans and other waterbirds. Or visit the Robert Clark Conservatory for seasonal displays of fuchsias, chrysanthemums, begonias, hydrangeas and more. Head to the Statuary Pavilion to admire the 12 white Sicilian marble statues with motifs from the Ancient Roman pantheon. Walk the Prime Ministers Avenue to see bronze cast busts of the first 29 prime ministers of Australia.
Also located in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens is the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War (POW) Memorial, with thousands of names carved on a long granite wall. These names represent over 36,000 Australian ex-POWs, commemmorating their suffering during their time in captivity.
Just four minutes’ drive away is the Arch of Victory, which stands as the gateway to the Avenue of Honour. This is the longest memorial avenue in Australia at 22 kilometres, decorated with memorial trees that are each accompanied by a plaque naming the 3,801 World War I (WWI) service personnel that enlisted from Ballarat. Adjacent to the Arch of Victory is the Garden of the Grieving Mother with its central statue of a grieving mother holding a photo of her lost son. This area commemmorates the 757 soldiers and two nurses who lost their lives in WWI, and the impact this had on their families.
The Ballarat Botanical Gardens has so much to explore. Image: Visit Victoria
Mount Buninyong
Mount Buninyong is an extinct volcanic mountain that's home to wallabies and diverse bird life, from cockatoos and rosellas to kookaburras and finches. It's also the spiritual home of the Keyeet Balug clan of the Wada Warrung people.
The Crater Walk (1.2km circuit) provides hikers with a stunning viewing platform after trailing through eucalyptus forests and the volcanic crater. Hike the adventurous Zigzag Summit Walk (2.1km circuit) or the South Walk (3.5km circuit) to ascend to the mountain's panoramic summit.
Woowookarung Regional Park
Look out for echidnas, kangaroos and wildflowers as you explore Woowookarung Regional Park, which is full of stringybark and grass trees. Its Dementia-Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail features accessible pathways, quiet places and sensory aspects to evoke positive feelings.
Tackle something harder on the Spencer Street to Conglomerate Hill Loop (8.5km) through open forest, or bring your mountain bike and cruise the Mount Clear MTB Track (3km) through bushland.
Mount Buninyong features a stunning lookout. Image: Visit Victoria
Lal Lal Scenic Reserve
Just 20 minutes' drive outside Ballarat is Lal Lal Falls Scenic Reserve, home to the impressive Lal Lal Falls waterfall that plunges into a rocky gorge. The viewing platform is just 200 metres from the car park. You can also visit the nearby Moorabal Falls and Granite Falls via the Moorabool Falls Walking Track, a 5.6km return walk beginning from the parking area on Harris Road.
You can also go for scenic walks at the Lal Lal Iron Mine and Blast Furnace in nearby Bungal Historical Area, with three short walks to view the remains of Victoria's only attempt at smelting iron in a blast furnace.
Creswick Regional Park
Also called the Creswick State Forest, this pretty bushland reserve is just a 25-minute drive from Ballarat. Located just behind the RACV Goldfields Resort, Creswick Regional Park is home to the pretty St Georges Lake. This ex-mining dam is great for a swim or a walk, with a 1.8km shoreline loop track.
The La Gerche Forest Walk (2km circuit) is another popular area, with a loop around a little billabong, old stables and a forest nursery first planted in 1883 by Creswick's first forest bailiff, John La Gerche.
Other good walks include the Landcare Trail (1km circuit), the Koala Park Walk (2km circuit) and the Cosgrove Reservoir (7km loop).
Goldfields Track
The Goldfields Track is a 210km journey through central Victoria's historic towns and forests, and is one of Victoria's best hiking and cycling tracks. It stretches from Bendigo to Castlemaine (Leanganook Track, 61km) to Daylesford (Dry Diggings Track, 58km) to Creswick (Wallaby Track, 52km) to Ballarat and Mt Buningyong (Eureka Track, 44km).
The 44km Eureka Track from Mt Buninyong through Ballarat to Creswick takes two to three days to hike. From Creswick Station to Ballarat Railway Station, the track follows the route taken by Creswick miners who abandoned their claims to march to the 1854 Eureka Stockade at Ballarat. This rebellion saw miners swear allegiance to the Southern Cross flag, angry with the way the colonial government was administering the goldfields.
Lake Wendouree in Ballarat has a beautiful 6km walk. Image: Visit Victoria
The best places to eat in Ballarat
Ballarat and the wider Goldfields region has become renowned for its gastronomy scene, and is home to some of the best regional pubs and nearby culinary experiences.
If you’re looking for a cosy night, get settled into a sofa at Hop Temple, with a relaxing vibe and American grill-inspired menu - plus a giant craft beer range. Aunty Jacks is another, more eclectic brewpub right in the heart of the CBD.
Down at Craig’s Royal Hotel on Lydiard Street, you can indulge in top-notch pub fare, and even keep an eye out for the alleged ghost that haunts the venue. This historic gold-rush era grand hotel was Ballarat's first officially licensed pub and has hosted poets, princes and prime ministers.
Those with a love for wood-fired pizza can get their fix at The Forge Pizzeria in a cute red-brick building on Armstrong Street. More into Latin American cuisine? Try Pancho, an intimate eatery on Mair Street that dishes up Central and South American flavours.
Nearby Creswick also features the Three Founders, a premiere Central Highlands restaurant at the RACV Goldfields Resort. Named after the Creswick brothers who founded the town in 1842, Three Founders features a seasonal menu that celebrates the best of the region’s food and wine scene. Guests can elect to dine indoors or relax on the outdoor terrace.
It’s also worth keeping up to date with the latest events on in the region, as Ballarat frequently features foodie pop ups such as winter night markets, festivals, food trucks and farmer’s markets.
Hops Temple is cheerful and busy. Image: Visit Victoria
The best bars in Ballarat
If you’re wanting a big night out, head out to the boozy and boisterous Piano Bar and have a singalong with friends old and new to some of your favourite tunes.
For a vino with a relaxed atmosphere, head on down to Ellington’s, a neighbourhood local that features rooftop views, regional wines and a curated selection of share plates and favours.
Those who like their cocktails to arrive with a bit of a bang will love stepping back in time at the 18th Amendment, a cocktail speakeasy based on a hidden Chicago bar back when alcohol was prohibited. The underground jaunt features glitzy signature cocktails like The Jitterbug, The Boardwalk Empire and the Shimmy Shimmy that are just begging to be tasted.
Finally, for something a little different, head to The Crypt Ballarat for gothic-themed cocktails and over 600 spirits in a relaxed (if a little spooky!) lounge down a secret lane off Camp Street.
Ballarat's 18th Amendment Bar is full of exciting cocktails to discover. Image: Visit Victoria
The best place to stay in Ballarat
RACV Goldfields Resort is an easy 20 minute drive out of Ballarat, in nearby Creswick. Unwind in the peaceful Australian bush, with walking trails and mountain bike tracks to enjoy.
Golfers can indulge in the resort's 18-hole golf course. There's also a pool, fitness centre, tennis courts, and two onsite dining options: the relaxed Springs Bar & Terrace, and the modern restaurant Three Founders. Kids will love the playground and games room.
The RACV Goldfields Resort is a great place to unwind while visiting Ballarat.
The best events and festivals in Ballarat
Ballarat is chock-full of fun festivals and cultural events throughout the year.
Pop in to the Ballarat Markets betwen 9am-1pm on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month to browse local produce, crafts, jewellery, art, plants and more.
Summer Sundays sees the Ballarat Botanical Gardens come alive from 4-8pm each Sunday in January with live music, food trucks and a pop-up garden bar. In March, visit the gardens again for the famous Ballarat Begonia Festival in the Robert Clark Conservatory.
The Ballarat Heritage Festival in May is the city's biggest festival, showcasing its rich history and vibrant cultural scene. Here, you can engage in everything from an antique fair to a beard and moustache competition to historic steam train rides. There's special exhibitions, live music performances, hands-on workshops, and much more.
Come winter, the Obsidian Dark Beer Festival in June exhibits craft dark beers from indie breweries around Victoria. In July, the Design Exchange Winter Market crowds beautiful small businesses and handmade products into the beautiful Ballarat Mining Exchange.
There's also Ballarat's Best Pie Competition in August, with top cafes, bakeries and restaurants competing to produce the best pie (and thankfully, selling them to customers all month!) complete with a pie judging and awards ceremony.
In October, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale shows off incredible photography and digital media from both Australian and international artists.
Finally, Spilt Milk music festival explodes into Ballarat in December. This music festival features renowned musical artists - in 2025, for example, Kendrick Lamar and Doechi will headline.
