CBD Heritage Walking Trail
Walking Trail of Ballarat's Heritage
The biggest alluvial gold rush in the world began in 1851 when John Dunlop and James Regan panned a few ounces of gold at Canadian Creek in Ballarat. This chance finding marked the beginning of Ballarat's fascinating and turbulent history.
Enormous wealth was generated by gold in Ballarat in those early days. In today's figures, the region is said to have yielded about $10 billion worth of gold, although the real figure is probably twice that given, many diggers kept their discoveries to themselves. But we do know that by 1860, Ballarat was home to the finest collection of bluestone and brick buildings in the colony.
Take a walk around the city, now rich in both culture and heritage, and take in the graceful and timeless architecture. A short walk will bring the Eureka spirit alive and allow you to trace Ballarat's golden past.
The information in this brochure is intended as a guide to some of Ballarat's history and heritage. The walk covers approximately one kilometre of the central business district, starting on the corner of Sturt and Albert Streets. It will take approximately one hour to complete.
1. The Gold Monument, corner of Sturt and Albert Streets:
This monument, located on the corner of Sturt and Albert Street, was lovingly constructed by members of the Ballarat Historical Society. It commemorates the discovery of gold at Poverty Point at August 2 1851, and is dedicated to the memory of the Pioneer Miners of Ballarat.
The monument, constructed mostly out of large lumps of quartz, features a miniature gold mine on the top. Mounted on the side is a replica of the Welcome Nugget, which was unearthed near the corner of Humffray and Mair Street in Ballarat on June 9, 1858. The Welcome Nugget was the largest mass of gold ever discovered (weighing 62.8kg) up until that time, and was purchased for £10,500 by the Wittkoski brothers and displayed in Ballarat. A strange tradition began whereby mothers who visited the mammoth nugget were allowed to seat their baby on top of the nugget for good luck. The nugget was eventually shipped to England and melted down into gold sovereigns. A second replica is on display at the Ballarat Gold Museum.
2. Sturt Street:
Sturt Street is celebrated for being one of the widest and most picturesque thoroughfares in the country.
It was one of the first main streets in Ballarat and was designed according to W.H. Urquhart's 1851 survey. A substantial three chains width (6 metres) was set aside, which allowed for bullock turning.
Much of Sturt Street's original architectural character remains, with prime corner sites reserved for churches and public buildings.
The centre of Sturt Street was planted with blue gums in the 1860s, but 20 years later local shopkeepers complained that the trees were too tall and thick, making the street damp. A throng of locals who appreciated the beauty of the trees complained in vain, as council uprooted the magnificent trees under the cover of darkness.
Electric trams were introduced on either side of the central gardens in Sturt Street in 1905, creating six lanes of traffic. Given traffic conditions were already quite hazardous during this time, trams only added to the chaos. Clouds of dust and mud were stirred up every time a car or tram travelled along the street, but eventually new road rules were introduced and the road was sealed, relieving strained traffic conditions.
Sturt Street, which is lined with several stunning memorials and statues, has also been the location for floral displays, including displays for the annual Ballarat Begonia Festival.
3. 23 Sturt Street:
The boldly coloured building is one of the most distinctive in Ballarat, with its bright blue tiles and towering proportions. Built in 1891 for Ballarat man Thomas Belsom, the building features a rounded balcony and art nouveau interior. This is a truly striking example of Edwardian Flemish baroque architecture, of which there are no surviving comparative examples in Victoria.
4. Former Sutton's Music Store, 31-33 Sturt Street:
At 22 metres tall, this building was once Ballarat's loftiest commercial structure. It was constructed in 1891 to house Sutton's Music Store. At the time, it was decorated with five German-made leadlight windows, which featured celebrated musicians of the time. The last remaining window, which has a likeness to Mozart, can still be seen just above the verandah and the GasMart sign.
Henry Sutton made his mark as an inventor and is today considered one of Australia's greatest early inventors. Sutton built a hydraulic lift for his father's music store and invented more than 20 telephones, 16 of which were patented by others. Interestingly, the Scottish-born man who is commonly credited with inventing the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, visited Ballarat to learn more about the Sutton telephone system in Ballarat.
5. Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute, 117 -119 Sturt Street:
Construction of the Mechanic's Institute began in 1859 to provide working men with the chance to improve their work skills and general education. It took dedicated locals another decade to complete the façade, and a further decade for the billiard room to take shape. Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, the Institute houses an impressive collection of old local newspapers, old and new books, and other historic collections, and continues to operate as a library . Open 9.30am-4.30pm daily, and 9am-noon on Saturdays. Visitors welcome.
6. Former Unicorn Hotel, 127 Sturt Street:
This hotel, currently under re-construction, was the closest to the busy intersection of Sturt and Lydiard Streets, known as "the Corner" - an informal outdoor stock exchange where sharebrokers gathered to trade in gold shares. This made the Unicorn one of the city's most prosperous early pubs.
The original Unicorn Hotel was constructed of timber in 1856 before being replaced by a brick structure in 1866. A unicorn statue once adorned the wide two-storied verandah of the hotel. This was one of the few buildings in Sturt Street allowed to retain its cast iron verandah during the 1960s. The facade is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
7. Allan Brothers Jewellers, corner Sturt and Lydiard Streets:
This fine example of Venetian Gothic architecture is a unique example of early heritage in Ballarat. Built in 1905, it once housed the National Mutual Insurance Company offices. The building was designed by architects J.J and J.E Clarke, who also designed the Queen Victoria Hospital and the City Baths in Melbourne. The octagonal roof structure was added to house a lift and originally featured a dome. The three top floors have been refurbished as townhouses.
8. Town Hall, Sturt Street:
This monumental structure with its impressive tower is one of Ballarat's most distinctive buildings, but few people realise there have been three Town Halls on the current site. The first was destroyed by fire in 1859, and the foundation stone for the second building was laid in August the following year. The original plans for this second building were deemed too expensive to finish, so work on the project ceased. Time passed, and the second building was finally incorporated into a third structure.
From the laneway at the side of the building, you can see the join between the front of the old Police Court, which formed part of the second structure, and the façade, which was added in 1870.
Ballarat is the only city in regional Victoria with two working sets of bells. The Alfred Bells are in the Town Hall and the second set is in St Peter's Church further along in Sturt Street. The Alfred Bells were paid for by the people of Ballarat as a very public apology to Prince Alfred. A former Ballarat resident, mad Irishman Henry O'Farrell, took a pot-shot at the royal visitor in Sydney in 1868. Ballarat residents were keen to avoid being associated with such an act of disloyalty and embraced a suggestion that they buy a set of bells for the Town Hall and inscribe them with an account of the assassination attempt. The bells were installed three years later.
When the Alfred Memorial Bells were rung for the first time in 1871, hundreds flocked to the main street in the early hours to hear them.
9. Sugg Lamp, corner Sturt and Lydiard Streets:
This ornate lamp is a replica of the lamps built on many intersections in central business districts across the country and can be seen in early photographs of Ballarat.
10. Old Post Office Building, corner Sturt and Lydiard Streets:
This former post office building was once a bustling mail house, and was the second largest post office in Victoria after the Melbourne GPO.
The towering Italianate palazzo-style building was designed by William Wardell, a renowned architect who also designed Government House in Melbourne, St Patrick's in East Melbourne, St Mary's in Sydney, St Ignatius in Richmond and the ANZ building in Collins Street, Melbourne. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Construction of the post office began in 1864, the second section of the tower was added in 1885. The tower has five levels, and includes a stunning arched carriageway ground floor entrance. When mail operations began in Ballarat, letters were delivered on foot by poorly-paid postman who were forced to carry heavy bags of mail. Mailmen were frequently asked to read letters to illiterate locals. Later, when mailmen became government employees, posties wore red uniforms complete with long coat tails and peaked caps. Today, the building forms an important part of the University of Ballarat's Arts Academy, including the Post Office Gallery.
11. Camp Street:
This historic thoroughfare gained its name because it was the site of the Government Camp in the 1850s, and was originally chosen for its clear view of the diggings below.
Government troopers began their march from the Camp to the Eureka Stockade early in the morning on December 3, 1854. Anger over unjust mining licence fees and the brutal administration which collected them had reached boiling point when police and miners clashed in a bloody battle at the Eureka Stockade which left more than 30 people dead.
Ballarat's population exploded from 50 to 50,000 in five years, with police records revealing there were 76 police and 28,000 miners living in Ballarat. At one stage the local police inspector was forced to dismiss more than a dozen constables for drunkenness and violence, making law enforcement an even more difficult task.
In the 1860s and 1880s the government camp was subdivided, and the distinctive kink in the road was created. Take note of the magnificent buildings that line the street, including the former Masonic Hall, Police Station, YMCA and Trades Hall.
12. Summerscales Building, corner Camp and Sturt Streets:
This elegant building was constructed in 1895, when bookseller H.J Summerscales was given a lease of land alongside the Post Office. The shop he built incorporated parts of the former Mining Board Room. This was extended in 1901 to fill the corner, with the income from the shops supporting the Library, next door in Camp Street.
13. Former Library Building, Camp Street:
A free library service was established in Ballarat in 1887 after a dedicated committee struggled for many years to raise the funds for the project. The large site chosen for the library enabled the committee to build shops to rent, offsetting the cost of the library and creating a permanent income stream to sustain it.
In 1939 part of the classic façade was removed and the east wall set back at an angle to allow the nearby State Government Offices and courthouse a more commanding street frontage. The city's library was located here between 1901 and 1994. The building is now part of the University of Ballarat's Arts Academy.
14. Former State Government Offices, Camp Street:
This building was designed by Chief Government Architect Percy Everett and opened in 1941 to house the local state government offices and courthouse. It is similar in design to the Russell Street Police Station in Melbourne, and a good example of the era.
It's curious that this beautiful building sits in Camp Street given its contrasting architectural style to the otherwise Victorian-influenced street. The building faces Sturt Street rather than Camp Street, and has been beautifully maintained.
The State Government Offices are now located in Mair Street, and the city's court house has moved to the corner of Albert and Dana Streets. This building is now part of the University of Ballarat's Arts Academy.
15. Former Police Court, Camp Street:
This red-brick Federation-era courthouse was built as the New Police Court in 1904 and contained a two-story courtroom with Clerk's and Magistrate's rooms. After 1941, when courtrooms were provided in the new State Government offices, this building housed the Benevolent Asylum's Ladies Committee. It now houses the Arts Academy's music theatre studio.
16. Huyghue House (Old Ballarat Police Station), Camp Street:
This Italianate building is celebrated for its unique use of decorative cast iron, which was usually reserved for residential buildings during this era. The police moved into Camp Street in 1852 and this building was built between 1884 and 1886. At this time, police would chain prisoners to a large tree close to the police camp, even after the tree was felled. Locals were outraged when the tree was felled, and many souvenired pieces of it.
A prison was eventually constructed, using parts of what was left of the tree.
The old police station, which is listed with the Victorian Heritage Register, has been renamed after S. D. S. Huyghue, a Canadian-born novelist, poet and essayist who witnessed the events of the Eureka Stockade. The building now forms part of the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, housing the Gallery Café as well as offices and meeting rooms.
17. Former Pratt's Building, corner Camp and Mair Streets:
This free-standing building was built in 1869 as McDowall and Gray's Warehouse. The structure has weathered the years extraordinarily well and features unique rough-faced stone work. The current owner plans to convert the building into a nightspot. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
18. Former YMCA, corner Camp and Field Streets:
This is a fine example of Edwardian-style architecture. The building features a pepperpot dome and an impressive sheer wall disappearing down Field Street.
Built in 1908, the building was opened by Prime Minister Alfred Deakin as Ballarat's YMCA, and operated as such until 1994. The YMCA has since relocated to the Ballarat Aquatic Centre in Gillies Street.
19. Ballarat Trades Hall, Camp Street:
This grand old building dominates the Camp Street skyline. It was constructed in 1887-88 and features a highly decorative baroque façade, while the interior features cantilevered bluestone stairs and timber-lined ceilings. Only Ballarat tradesmen were used in the construction of this building which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
20. Former ANA Hall, Camp Street:
This hall, built in 1925, was the Ballarat home for the Australian Natives' Association (ANA) which was founded in 1871. Friendly societies were first established in Australia during the middle of the 19th century to provide some of the medical and other essential services that weren't provided by the Government at the time. By 1900, it had 17,000 members, mostly in Victoria.
The ANA was one of the bodies which advocated strongly for federation of the Australian colonies, and the wooden hall formerly on this site was the location for important meetings of the Federation movement.
21. The Woodshed Antiques Building, Camp Street:
This building in Greek revival style was Ballarat's first Freemason's Hall, and originally featured an elaborate porch.
Erected between 1872 and 1874, its textured cement rendering has weathered over time, obscuring some of the building's finer details. The imposing building features huge columns on either side of the entrance and an original ornate fence which encircles the building. It has housed various organisations throughout the years. Early on it was purchased by the State Electricity Commission and became the social club premises for employees. During this period it was known as Electra Hall. The building is now used as an antiques and gift store.
22. Victorian Business Centre, corner Camp and Sturt Streets:
Ballarat has some of the state's most beautiful bank buildings, including this elegant Renaissance revival building, which is the former State Savings Bank. The Ballarat State Bank was established in 1858 and its building was once a single storey structure which was replaced by this elegant two-storey building in 1872. The site remained with the State Bank until this branch closed in 1995. Today, it is tenanted by a number of State Government departments.
23. Former Chamber of Commerce, 42 - 46 Sturt Street:
This building was one of the first buildings constructed in the central business district, for the local Chamber of Commerce in 1859. Before walking beneath the verandah, note the unusual first floor window details, which are alternately triangular and curved.
24. Irish Murphy's, 38 Sturt Street:
This stunning example of an art nouveau-influenced building was constructed in 1907 and has spent its entire life as a pub. Formerly known as the Camp Hotel, it was built in 1861, and was converted into Irish Murphy's pub in 1998. The building features wrought iron lamp brackets on the top, and, from a distance, some consider the first floor of the building to resemble a face.
25. Former Ballarat Courier, 24 Sturt Street:
This building was a hive of activity when it was built in 1947 to house The Courier, Ballarat's daily newspaper. The towering brick building is a classic example of the new brick and glazed ceramic colours that became available in the mid-1940s. The local newspaper has since relocated its offices to Creswick Road.