Ballarat

Ballarat Vic 3350 (Pop 85 500)

Ballarat is an elegant and historic goldmining city in Central Goldfields 115 km west of Melbourne. It is also renowned for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture, parks, gardens and wide streets. Original inhabitants were the Wathawurung Aborigines who named the area meaning ‘a good resting place’. European settlement followed around 1840 and vast subsequent gold discoveries ensured the settlement's future. Ballarat’s colourful history must include the Eureka Stockade Rebellion (1854) a bloody massacre between goldfields police and miners over mining license laws and other rights issues, symbolizing workers’ fighting for a fair system and equality. Today Ballarat’s major industries include tourism, retail, manufacturing and community services. Ballarat markets 4^th Sun each month. Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields (Jan), Antique Fair (Mar), Eurkea Jazz Festival (Apr), Winter Festival (July), Springfest Extravaganza (Nov), Eureka Week (Nov-Dec).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
The Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Lydiard St (1884) Australia’s oldest purpose-built provincial gallery has a fine Australian art collection from colonial to contemporary, the original Eureka Stockade flag as well as sculptures, ceramics, costumes, rugs, furniture and manuscripts.  Open (10.30am-5pm) daily. Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw St (1970) extremely interesting recreated goldmining town museum covering 60 ha which have been divided into four main areas: Diggings (1851-55), Township (1854-61), Chinese Village (1859) & Sovereign Quartz Mine (1861-1918). Shops, costumed townsfolk and gold panning all add to the historic atmosphere. Open (10am-5pm) daily. Gold Museum, Bradshaw St projects a vivid history of Ballarat’s goldmining days. Open (9.30am-5.20pm) daily. Lake Wendouree, Sturt St 238 ha (16 ha foreshores) encircled by a 6 km walking/cycling path with over 160 water bird species, excellent trout fishing and many water sports (except swimming). It was the rowing, canoeing and kayaking venue for the 1956 Olympics. Ballarat Tramway Museum (within Botanical Gardens) historic displays and memorabilia. Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Lake Wendouree (1858) 40 ha gardens featuring a conservatory, fernery, countless native and exotic plants and the Prime Ministers Avenue with bronze busts of all Australian prime ministers. Open 9am-5pm. Ballaarat (original spelling) Old Cemetery, Macarthur St with graves and special monuments of those killed during the Eureka Stockade Rebellion. Open (9am-5pm) daily. Ballarat Aviation Museum, Ballarat Airport fine collection of vintage, classic and military aircraft and aviation memorabilia. Open (1pm-5pm) weekends/ public holidays. Avenue of Honour (Alfredton to Weatherboard-Learmonth Rd) (1917) Victoria’s oldest and longest (22 km) known memorial avenue honouring those who served in WW1 with a tree and bronze plaque.

Nearby:
Kirk and Gong Gong Reservoirs (5 km n) recreational areas of over 100 indigenous plants species, scenic views, bushwalking & fishing.  Lake Burrumbeet (22 km n-w) great water sports and fishing (trout, eel, redfin) area. Enfield State Park (22 km s) spectacular spring wildflowers, bushwalks, orchids and native fauna (kangaroos, koalas, echidnas as well as old goldmining remnants. Buninyong (13 km s-e) beautiful historic goldmining village at the foot of Mt Buninyong offering superb views and great bushwalking. Gold King Festival (Feb) & Buninyong Film Festival (Mar) are not to be missed. Lake Learmonth (19 km n-w) popular watersports area. Lal Lal Falls (18 km s-e) impressive 30m plunge into the Moorabool River. Lal Lal Blast Furnace (18 km s-w) historic 19^th century archaeological remains. Skipton (51 km s-w) eel selling factory and nearby interesting Mt Widderin Caves.

Accommodation:
Ballarat has over 30 motels, about 50 hotels/cafes, 9 B&Bs, 6 caravan parks, many holiday apartments/cabins and several backpackers. Visitor Information Centre: Cnr Sturt & Albert Sts. Tel (03) 5320 5741 or 1800 446 633.