Ballarat attractions

Ballarat attractions are built around the gold rush, from a recreated 1850s mining settlement to the site of the Eureka Stockade uprising. This page covers attractions in and around Ballarat, with guided tours to help make sense of them. Start from the things to do in Ballarat page for the full picture.

Gold rush attractions in Ballarat

Gold was found at Poverty Point in August 1851, and the rush that followed made Ballarat one of Victoria's main goldfields cities. The armed miners' uprising known as the Eureka Stockade took place here on 3 December 1854, and the Eureka Flag became a national symbol.

Sovereign Hill is the city's biggest draw, a recreated 1850s gold mining settlement that opened in 1970. The Art Gallery of Ballarat holds one of the country's oldest collections of early Australian art, and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, established in 1857, sit near Lake Wendouree.

Guided ways to see Ballarat

A guided tour adds the stories that signs leave out. The Ballarat City Guided Walking Tour and Hot Drink goes through hidden laneways and behind the scenes at spots such as the upper floor of Craig's Royal Hotel. The Ballarat Food and Gin Distillery Walking Tour tells the city's story through tastings.

Outside the city, the Creswick Wool Mill Tour and Farm Adventure is a 1-hour visit with heritage displays and alpacas and sheep. See Ballarat food and drinks and Ballarat zoos and aquariums for more.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main attractions in Ballarat?

The main attractions in Ballarat centre on gold rush history: Sovereign Hill, a recreated 1850s mining settlement, the Eureka Stockade story, the Art Gallery of Ballarat and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens beside Lake Wendouree.

Is Ballarat worth visiting?

Yes, Ballarat is worth visiting for its gold rush history. Gold was found at Poverty Point in 1851 and the Eureka Stockade uprising followed in 1854, and the city has kept much of that story on show.

How far are the Ballarat attractions from Melbourne?

Ballarat is about 110 km north-west of Melbourne, so its attractions work as a day trip or a weekend stay.

Ballarat's attractions reward some background before you arrive. Plan the trip from things to do in Ballarat and book online with Experience Oz.