Ballarat Holidays & Travel Guide
In the 1850s, Victoria and Melbourne exploded with wealth after gold was discovered in Ballarat. The fields surrounding these towns were Australia's richest and transformed Victoria into the most affluent state in Australia at the time. Much of the history of these gold rush towns has been preserved and in Ballarat, the restored buildings are home to attractions such as the Eureka Stockade Centre which offers interactive displays detailing the history and uprising. Nearby Sovereign Hill is a fascinating insight into old mining towns and this living museum has recreated life as it was over 100 years ago. Tours are available of an old gold mine and the award-winning sound and light show 'Blood on the Southern Cross' is also staged here.
Accommodation
Centrally located to much of the town’s historical buildings, shopping, dining and attractions, Ballarat accommodation is designed to cater for all travellers and budgets. From romantic couples escapes to family friendly fun and plenty of space for groups of friends, staying in Ballarat gives you a wide range of options. Guests can choose from grand guesthouses, charming B&Bs, beautifully restored 19th century buildings, country homesteads, spacious apartments, boutique hotels, quaint cottages, comfortable motels and premier holiday parks.
Ballarat Holiday Packages
Ballarat holiday packages are a fantastic way to get the most out of your time in this gold rush town steeped in history. Saving you both time and money, these Ballarat holiday packages also offer the best value for money when planning and booking your holiday. Combining all of your holiday needs into one discounted package, these Ballarat holiday packages allow you to combine everything from you accommodation to car hire or flights, transfers, travel insurance, meals, tours and more. Offering significant savings, these holiday packages also give you access to a range of benefits including complimentary inclusions like room upgrades, free nights, daily breakfast, activities and more.
Attractions
Steeped in gold rush history, Ballarat is home to a wide range of attractions including beautifully resorted buildings such as Ballarat's Town Hall, Her Majesty's Theatre and Craig's Hotel. The Eureka Stockade Centre offers interactive displays detailing the history and uprising, and nearby Sovereign Hill provides a fascinating insight into old mining towns. A living museum, Sovereign Hill has recreated life as it was over 100 years ago. Tours are available of an old gold mine and the award-winning sound and light show 'Blood on the Southern Cross' is also staged here. Another iconic sight is the Avenue of Honour, a grand 22km boulevard commemorating local soldiers who served in WWI. The 200 hectare Lake Wendouree is an oasis of birdlife and plays an important part in Ballarat’s ecosytem, along with the nearby Botanical Gardens.
Getting to Ballarat
Located approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Melbourne, getting to Ballarat is an easy drive along the Western Freeway. There are two main routes that pass through Ballarat including the Goldfields Touring Route and the Great Southern Touring Route, for those who wish explore more of Victoria on their trip to Ballarat. If you’re visiting from further afield and will be flying into Melboure there is an airport shuttle bus that operates daily services to Ballarat. If you require public transport to make your way to Ballarat, the V/Line rail service runs daily trains from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station to Ballarat taking approximately one and a half hours.