Why Visit Ballarat?

There are plenty of reasons to visit and discover the unique charm of Ballarat.

As a guideline, the city's three tourism precincts reflect different aspects of the city's history and heritage. 

Eureka and Gold includes the mining areas of Ballarat East, the Eureka Centre at the site of the Eureka Stockade, the Gold Museum and Sovereign Hill, Ballarat's world-renowned outdoor museum of the gold rushes.  Experience Australian wildlife at the Ballarat Wildlife Park, while indigenous arts and culture is celebrated at Kirrit Barreet.

The city's central Heritage and Arts precinct boosts magnificent Sturt Street, a wide boulevard planted with elm trees and lined with statues, as well as the Art Gallery of Ballarat, historic Her Majesty's Theatreand Ballarat's remarkable Mechanics' Institute, as well as great cafes and restaurants.

Ballarat is proud of its beautiful Lakes and Gardens precinct with Lake Wendouree, and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, one of the countries finest cool climate gardens, featuring magnificent exotic trees, a spectacular conservatory and the Prime Ministers Avenue.  Nearby is a striking memorial, dedicated to Australia's ex-prisoners of war.