Ballarat Heritage Ride

A short ride to see some of Ballarat's most important historical sites, while enjoying some pleasant streetscapes.

Ballarat's history is tied up with gold. Gold was first discovered in Ballarat in 1851 and in 1852 the township was laid out. The town mushroomed in size as miners flocked to the Goldfields. Some of the largest finds were made beneath the modern day city. In 1854 discontent on the part of thousands of miners at their treatment by the government culminated in the Eureka uprising; once the bloodshed was over the miners were given political representation. The mining boom continued until the end of the century. Following the collapse of the gold mining industry the town turned to other industrial ventures and Ballarat has remained an important regional centre.

Ride Highlights

A plaque marks the spot where the Welcome Nugget was discovered by the Red Hill Mining Company in 1858. Weighing over 71 kilos and 99% pure gold, it is still the second largest nugget ever found in Australia, after the Welcome Stranger Nugget.

2. Bakery Hill

The Eureka flag flies in the middle of a traffic island on Bakery Hill on the spot where it was first flown by discontented miners in 1854.

3. Old Curiosity Shop

Dating from the late nineteenth century, this building has an unusual façade featuring mosaic patterns of shell, crockery, mirror and glass; the garden is similarly adorned. You can peek through the fence, it no longer operates as a shop.

4. Eureka Centre

The Eureka Centre and the historic Stockade Gardens mark the site of Australia's only armed civil uprising. In December 1854, miners protesting against the harsh and unfair goldfields administration took up arms and set up a barricade known as the Eureka Stockade. 30 miners and five soldiers were killed when government forces stormed the Stockade. The commemorative centre with its gift shop and cafe is open daily. Visit www.eurekaballarat.com

5. Montrose Cottage

This bluestone cottage dates from the 1850s and stands out from the many timber cottages of the same era along Eureka Street. The cottage now offers luxury accommodation.

6. Sovereign Hill

One of Ballarat's most popular tourist attractions. Sovereign Hill is a re-creation of Ballarat in the 1850s. You can visit the shops, tour a gold mine, see tradesmen at work and watch street entertainment. Sovereign Hill and the nearby Gold Museum are open daily. Visit www.sovereignhill.com.au

7. Ballarat Town Hall

The imposing bluestone Town Hall was completed in 1872, the third town hall to be built on this site. It is one of only four town halls in the world to have its own peal of bells.

8. Sturt Street Statues

There are numerous sculptures, monuments and bandstands along Sturt Street, Ballarat's main boulevard. The statues are hard to check out by bike, but worth a later visit. You'll be amazed at the variety, from Greek gods, to local heroes, poets and royalty.

9. Lydiard Street

In the original design of Ballarat, Lydiard Street was to be the main street, with public offices, churches, banks and hotels. Today, many well-preserved grand Victorian buildings, including the railway station, still stand as testament to the wealth of the gold rush era. Highlights include the Mining Exchange, Art Gallery and Old Post Office.