Five Best Things To Do in Ballarat

A journey to Ballarat is not complete without a visit to one of the city’s most prized attractions. And while there’s no doubt Ballarat’s claim to fame is its rich history and link to the gold rush days, there are also many other places and spaces around town sure to enrich your stay. Sure many are infused with stories of the past, but others simply showcase the natural marvels of the world. Here are the best five things we recommend you do in Ballarat during your Hotel Vera escape.

1. Tour the Art Gallery of Ballarat

The oldest and largest regional art gallery in Australia, the Art Gallery of Ballarat is most certainly the jewel in Ballarat’s crown. Located along the city’s historic Lydiard Street North, the gallery boasts marvellous gilt-framed artworks from colonial times, striking indigenous pieces, bold contemporary works from artists near and far, and regular thought-provoking exhibitions from the world over. The gallery is also set to host exclusive private tours for Vera guests in the near future – further complementing the cultural experience the hotel provides.

2. Visit the Ballarat Botanical Gardens

Sprawling green lawns, perfectly manicured gardens, meandering pathways, vibrant flowerbeds, towering old oaks and historic marble statues – the Ballarat Botanical Gardens serves as the perfect backdrop for your morning jog, your lunchtime picnic or your romantic sunset soiree. One of Australia’s most significant cool-climate gardens, the space is home to the Robert Clark Conservatory with its blooming floral displays, the iconic avenue of bronze Prime Minister busts, as well as a number of Italian marble statues, a sensory garden and other items of interest.

3. Harness your creativity at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades

Harness your inner craftsperson at the world-class Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades. The Centre aims to provide an educational facility in traditional trades, crafts and skills, preserving knowledge and encouraging innovation, sustainability and exploration. Try your hand at one of the regular workshops including silversmithing, locksmithing, chairmaking, cane rod making, knifemaking, or basket weaving, and uncover the creativity you never knew existed.

4. Take a stroll around Lake Wendouree

Sitting pretty in the heart of Ballarat, Lake Wendouree is a hub of recreation, relaxation and repose. Its six kilometre track serves as the ideal place for one’s daily walk or run, while the lakeside eateries are perfect for your morning coffee, brunch or munch. Pack a picnic and enjoy the calm by the water’s edge as the local swans glide on by, admire the historic boatsheds, take a ride on the iconic Golden City Paddle Steamer, or meet up with friends and family at one of the many playgrounds before grabbing a sweet treat at the Lake Wendouree ice-cream tram.

5. Ride a tram at the Ballarat Tramway Museum

Located at the south end of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, the Tramway Museum is home to a vast collection of tramcars, photographs, videos and memorabilia exploring the tramway experience that existed in Ballarat between 1887 and 1971. The museum depot also operates trams along Wendouree Parade on weekends and school holidays, so you can soak up the surroundings of the lake and gardens precinct while experiencing a more traditional method of transport.

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