Ballarat’s Botanical Gardens are one of Australia’s most significant cool climate gardens. Located about four kilometres from the centre of town on the shore of Lake Wendouree, they cover 40 hectares and are a popular heritage and recreation destination for residents and visitors. The Gardens are open all day, all year, and until 9pm from October to April, and are free to enter.
Kryal Castle is a replica medieval castle, with a moat and drawbridge, a maze, an armoury, a ‘torture museum’ and stocks. The Castle hosts a huge variety of live entertainment including jousting, fire eating, juggling, murder mystery nights and a whole host of other performances. The Castle also operates as a wedding venue so you may see some happy couples getting hitched during your visit. It is open weekends from 10am to 4am.
The Art Gallery of Ballarat houses an excellent collection of Australian art, and is the oldest regional gallery in Australia. Its permanent collection includes a wealth of important works from the colonial to contemporary periods, and it regularly hosts a diverse range of touring and temporary exhibitions. Entry is free, and the gallery is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Lake Wendouree has been a social destination for Ballarat for over 150 years. Situated in the heart of the town, it provides an area of natural beauty full of wildlife, as well as a space for sports and activities. On the west side of the lake is Ballarat’s Tramway Museum, which preserves Ballarat’s historic tramway system, in use from 1887 to 1971. From the Museum you are able to ride a historic tram through the Botanical Gardens and around the lake.
A family-run wildlife park aiming to provide a unique interactive experience with some of Australia’s most amazing animals. The park specialises in native Australian animals and exotic reptiles, including kangaroos, koalas, Tasmanian Devils, wombats, giant tortoises, alligators and crocodiles. The park is open 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm.
Sovereign Hill is an open air museum dedicated to the history of gold in Ballarat. It brings to life the 1850s gold rush with costumed actors, historically recreated buildings and working craftsmen, as well as real gold to be panned. Sovereign Hill is open from 9am to 5pm every day, and entry includes access to the Gold Museum on site.