Located an hour and a half from Melbourne, Ballarat is home to some wonderful sights, attractions and places to visit. The city of Ballarat is located on the Yarrowee River and the Great Dividing Range’s lower western plains. When traveling through the region, there’s so much that travellers can do and see. This expert guide will give you a rundown of the great places to visit when you want some fun in Ballarat.
Great Places To Visit In Ballarat
Ballarat Bird World
Ballarat bird world is located at 408 Eddy Avenue, Mt Helen. It features a large free flight aviary which allows the birds to stretch their wings and have enough room to fly about. On the property there’s over two hundred overseas and Australian birds that are on display for you to learn more about. Ballarat Bird World is one of the only places in Victoria where you can see so many birds all in the one location. Along with the aviary, you can also experience up close and personal bird experiences by relaxing with the native birds on the outdoor tree top deck. Bird World Café offers a lovely meal and a great bite to eat. To complete your trip you can take home a souvenir from the souvenir shop.
Ballarat Ghost Tours
Ballarat Ghost Tours offers those who love to walk on the darker side of life with a fulfilled evening of spooky stories and tours of one of the most haunted cities in Australia. The tours are operated by professional tour guides and historians who not only offer an entertaining experience but the possibility to see real ghosts. Bookings can be made at Drummond St Sth. Ballarat. Along with some spooky tours you can also choose a dinner package to help you get through the evening without having to have an empty stomach.
The Tangled Maze and Misty Downs Nursery
Located at the Cnr Midlands & Smokeytown Rd, Creswick, 3363, the Tangled Maze is a large botanical maze which features over 1000 flowering plants. These flowering plants are all grown on large trellises to help deliver and shape the traditional puzzle maze. While exploring the maze, you can try to solve it and make it out of the other side. Along with the tangled maze, you can also visit the Misty Downs Nursery which is home to both modern and heritage peonies, roses, and very unusual perennials. There’s also a café for parents to relax while their children play.
Sovereign Hill
Located at 39 Bradshaw Street, Ballarat, Sovereign Hill is a large outdoor museum which presents and tells a story of the Australian gold-rush history. With a main focus on the gold discoveries and growth of the Ballarat region, you can experience what it was like to discover gold in 1851. First opened in the 1970s, Sovereign Hill has won many major tourism awards, is a tourism icon, and now attracts over 450,000 visitors each and every year. The museum also features working exhibits and machinery, and is located on 25 hectares of land. When visiting Sovereign Hill, don’t forget to see the largest light and sound show in Australia, the Blood on the Southern Cross, and the $1 million gold pouring. It’s truly a memorable experience.
Kryal Castle
Located at 121 Forbes Rd, Leigh Creek Vic 3352, Kryal Castle is one of the only Medieval attractions in Victoria. Located about 8km out from Ballarat, Kryal Castle delivers a great historic experience. At the castle, it features a drawbridge, moat, maze, stocks, castle towers, a medical museum and an old armoury. Throughout the day you can experience multiple shows from public whippings, jousting, juggling, jesters, and fire eating. The Wax of Torture Museum is also in display to see some of the torture devices that were used many centuries ago. For a truly medieval themed adventure Kryal Castle is the place to visit.
Ballarat Skipton Rail Trail
The Ballarat Skipton Rail Trail is a large 53km trail that runs along the old railway line that runs between Ballarat and Skipton. The trail has been upgraded with new seating, rest huts, signage, and more which offers a pleasant hike or bike riding experience. As you travel along the Ballarat Skipton Rail Trail you’ll pass along historic towns, farmland, bushland, and areas of conservation that pose a historic significance. Along the way you can visit some of the towns for accommodation and food. For those who are looking for a great hiking trip and historic experience, the Ballarat Skipton Rail Trail is the perfect way to start.
Conclusion
Ballarat and the surrounding areas are home to some amazing and wonderful attractions and sightseeing opportunities which shouldn’t be passed by when travelling through. Within Ballarat you’ll also have the opportunity to choose between some great restaurants and cafes which allow for a fine dining experience like no other. So are you going to visit Ballart while in Victoria?
Matt Garrett
Matt is a venue co-ordinator who organizes, plans, and runs large conferences, weddings and other events at different venue locations. He works hard on delivering the best for his clients, and strives to make each event a success. He works for Mercure Ballarat. He and his wife love traveling, and plan to travel to Europe in the coming year.
