THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Ballarat - 2024 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Things to Do in Ballarat

Things to Do in Ballarat, Australia - Ballarat Attractions

Things to Do in Ballarat


Book these experiences for a closer look at the region.

Top Attractions in Ballarat

These rankings are informed by traveler reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.

*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travelers are saying

  • Darren_C_Thomas
    Brisbane, Australia916 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sovereign Hill is a true national treasure of Australia that preserves the history of the gold rush in the mid 1850s. From gold panning to underground mining, traditional lolly shops to blacksmiths it has it all and the staff dressed up in character added to the experience
    Written April 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Traveller
    Melbourne, Australia15,803 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My wife and I walked along the entire 6 km track around the lake to enjoy the scenery and the exercise, during our recent holiday at RACV Resort in Creswick where we stayed for 3 nights.

    It took us around an hour to complete the walk. We had already walked along the Botanical Gardens next to this lake before we started walking the 6km track.

    We will do this again in future when we next visit.
    Written April 12, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ThomasH
    Melbourne, Australia278 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our first stop was the Robert Clark Conservatory. It is quite an impressive construction and while the Begonnia Festival ended in March there were plenty of beautiful flower to admire.

    Adam Lindsay Gordon is a famous poet from the are and his little cottage was moved her and is used to display crafts. His life story, on display outside, is quite sad.

    I had a quite look into the Statuary Pavilion - Home to a collection of five marble statues by Charles Summer, they were purchased with bequest funds from James Russell Thompson in 1888. The bequest also included a large statue of the Scottish hero, William Wallace, which greets visitors at the entrance to the Gardens.

    We walked along the Prime Ministers Avenue. It was not well signposted, follow the sign near the conservatory to Ex-POW. Prime Ministers of Australia are displayed as bronze portraits mounted on polished granite pedestals. The collection includes a portrait of one of the founding fathers of Federation, Alfred Deakin, who was the first Federal Member for Ballarat and Australia’s second Prime Minister.
    Written May 2, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Maryann B
    Basel, Switzerland302 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were not expecting such a wonderful art gallery outside of the big Australian cities. We were lucky enough to time our visit with the free guided tour which was very enjoyable and informative. We learnt a lot about both the art works and the history of the local area. The staff were all extremely helpful. One can easily spend 2+ hours here if exploring all the exhibits. And it's all for free!
    Written February 14, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Moving Butler
    Ballarat, Australia188 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The animals seem happy and it is very obvious that they are been thoroughly looked after. I could sense a feeling of belonging among the crew and professionals that work within the park, even as they were leaving to go home they had the humanity within them to raise a salutation. This park is very well laid out and can I say that I saw a Birthday Function take place as they do cater for this - what a great idea!
    I was very impressed on all aspects of this establishment and wish them best of luck in future. This is an authentic full on experience for tourists and locals alike, well done.
    Can I also say that the young lady looking after the shop on the way out was a pure delight whose enchantment of magical and kind disposition almost stole the show. She sold me a Pinguin key chain and guided me onto the membership selections I implore you look at to assist the park with their memberships.
    Written April 6, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • John T
    318 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited the Ballarat Tramway Museum today, on a bright, sunny, picturesque day.
    Looking at the many historic trams, from horse-drawn versions, through to later ones was a look back into the history of transport.
    We had a wonderful time, and the Motorman and Cibductor had so many interesting stories as well.
    Written March 4, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Maryann B
    Basel, Switzerland302 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We took the local bus from the city centre to the Eureka Centre which is set in lovely grounds on the outskirts. The museum was smaller than we expected but it provided us non-Australians with a good historical overview of events we had not heard about before. The onsite cafe was also very good for a coffee break.
    Written February 14, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • roy v
    Traralgon, Australia4,864 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lydiard Street is well worth walking down and taking in all the great architecture of the historic buildings that called Lydiard Street home .
    There are many beautiful buildings to enjoy , the George Hotel, Craig’s Royal Hotel, The Regent Multiplex Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre.
    Ballarat Art Gallery, Churches to name just a few. We enjoyed our time there.
    Written December 6, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • C...
    Victoria, Australia65,105 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Together at this location is the Arch of Victory and the beginning of the Avenue of Honour, they are here because the community wanted to create a tangible and fitting memorial in recognition of service and sacrifice during WW1.

    The Avenue was officially opened in 1929 by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales ( later Edward VIII). Both the Arch and the Avenue are listed by the Victorian Heritage Register.

    William Birdwood, 1st Baron Birdwood of Anzac and Totnes, field marshal was born in India. Birdwood was appointed K.C.M.G. (1914), K C.S.I. (1915), K.C.B. (1917), G.C.M.G. (1919), and was created a baronet and granted £10,000 (1919). He was mentioned in dispatches frequently and awarded many foreign decorations. In the Australian Military Forces he was made a general (1920), field marshal (1925), and honorary colonel of the 3rd Infantry Battalion and the 16th Light Horse; he also received further British honours. In 1920 he toured Australia and one of his duties was to lay the stone for the arch.

    The Arch of Victory is the largest commemorative arch in Australia. The world’s most significant arches are displayed at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and Ballarat’s Arch of Victory has its place amongst those world arches.

    It is a very grand structure, but to really appreciate it... you do need to get out and walk around... there are many information plaques at it's base and information boards in this precinct.
    Written February 4, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Wendy O
    Brisbane, Australia176 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My husband and I attended the Anzac Day service here. Was a very good service, lots of people including the police. We attended this one due to that my dad was a POW in Changi, meant a lot us. It’s a shame there’s not more places like this around Australia.
    Written May 16, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Moving Butler
    Ballarat, Australia188 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Take a quick trip from Southern Cross Station Melbourne to the magnificent Ballarat Train Station, the perfect day trip out. Once you arrive at the main Station, you will see the majestic yesteryears just before your eyes. The station is majestic to say the least and is very well looked after. I am sure they are still filming old sets here. Take a moment once you arrive to walk around, sit for a minute and take in the splendour of what once was but in real time today.
    Written April 6, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Scenic27072712097
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This building is very beautiful and big. And the inside is wide, so there are many spaces to see. There were few people, so it was easy to sightseeing. Also, I could take some photos. There were many stained glasses. That was beautiful. I have never seen such a beautiful sight.
    Written February 13, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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