Lydiard Street Heritage Walking Trail
Walking Trail of Lydiard Street
Just three months after gold was discovered in Ballarat, grand plans to build an entire city began in earnest. In 1851 government surveyor, W.H. Urquhart, was sent to the area to lay out the township that would be built on the enormous wealth generated by the rich gold discoveries. By 1860, Ballarat boasted the finest collection of bluestone and brick buildings in the colony.
Among the streets developed during this time was Lydiard Street - the jewel in the crown of Ballarat's heritage precincts. Not surprisingly, this stunning thoroughfare is a popular location for many films, including most recently, a new adaptation of Ned Kelly.
Other streets built during this turbulent and exciting time in Ballarat's history were Doveton Street, Armstrong Street, Mair Street and Dana Street, which were named after gold commissioners, local policemen or soldiers.
1. Former Gaol (Ballarat SMB):
This circa-1857 Ballarat gaol housed prisoners until 1965. One of the most famous offenders to spend time there was bushranger Andrew Scott 'Captain Moonlight', who escaped by scaling the lofty walls you see today. Born in Ireland, Scott was found guilty of theft in 1869 near Gordon, where he worked as a lay preacher. He was sentenced to 10 years' behind bars by Sir Redmond Barry, but soon escaped. Barry later sentenced Ned Kelly to death. Scott was recaptured two months later and re-secured in the gaol before earning an early release for good behaviour.
During its 105-year history, at least a dozen men were executed at the old gaol. Today, the remaining buildings are used by the University of Ballarat's SMB campus.
2. School of Mines:
The city's School of Mines, situated at the southern end of Lydiard Street, is the third oldest tertiary institution in the country, after the universities of Sydney and Melbourne. Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, the School of Mines was constructed in 1870 to provide a scientific and practical education in mining and related fields. The School of Mines became especially famous for its science, engineering, metallurgy, chemistry and geology courses. It merged with the University of Ballarat in 1998 and is now known as the SMB campus.
3. Wesleyan Church, corner of Lydiard and Dana Streets:
This stunning Gothic Revival church, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, is perched high on the hill on the corner of Dana Street. Constructed in 1883, the elaborate structure of polychromatic brickwork with geometric tracery around the windows includes stunning amphitheatre-style seating. Ballarat pioneer, Eureka supporter and staunch Wesleyan Methodist, James Oddie, who was also a civic leader, helped finance the construction of the church, where he was Sunday school superintendent.
4. Corner of Dana and Lydiard Street South:
Looking down the hill you can see the sites of some of Ballarat's earliest goldfields. With its gravel-lined creeks and gullies, the valley was the first to give up its golden riches. In the distance you can see the picturesque Mt Warrenheip.
In Ballarat's earliest days deep lead mining under the escarpment at the corner of Lydiard and Dana Streets was the scene of subterranean warfare. When one mining company encroached on another's claim, stink bombs of burning sulphur were hurled into rival tunnels.
Looking from the west of the corner you can see the Ballarat Club at 203 Dana Street, which was built in 1888 at a cost of £4500 for use by graziers and professional gentlemen.
5. Sugg Lamp, corner Dana and Lydiard Street South:
The huge 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.
6. Bartrop Real Estate, 52-54 Lydiard Street South:
The façade of this impressive building has changed very little since one-time Mayor of Ballarat, William Little, ran his real estate business there from 1876.
7. McCormick's Solicitors, 50 Lydiard Street South:
This richly ornate building, erected in 1859, is a unique construction, complete with ornate decorative motifs.
8. Anglican Cathedral Church of the Christ the King, 49 Lydiard Street South:
This is believed to be one of the city's earliest stone buildings. The foundation stone for this towering English Gothic-style structure was laid in 1854 - the same year as the Eureka Stockade. The church was completed by contractors Messers Blackhouse and Reynolds in 1857 at a cost of more than £2000. The sanctuary and transepts were added in 1868. Walk around the corner and turn down Dana Street, where you can see the basement level of a cathedral that was never actually completed.
9. Chancery House, 38 Lydiard Street South:
This handsome Renaissance Revival building was erected in 1880. The building features stunning original floor, chimney, roof, Doric columns and frieze.
10. Ansonia, 32 Lydiard Street:
Formerly Furnival Chambers, the building was built as an office building in the mid 1800s and converted to a boutique hotel late last century.
11. Fraser, Nevett, Frawley, 41 Lydiard Street South:
This building was originally constructed as a bank, but the two-storey Renaissance revival building, with arched windows, has been used as solicitor's offices since 1911.
12. Lynn's Chambers, 26 Lydiard Street South:
Lynn's Chambers was once the workplace of the first solicitor to practice on the Ballarat goldfields, Adam Loftus Lynn. Irish-born Lynn, who originally mined from a tent in the goldfields, appeared for the Scobie family at the inquest of James Scobie's murder, which was an important event in the lead-up to the Eureka Stockade.
The chambers were constructed in 1870.
13. Craig's Royal Hotel, 10 Lydiard Street South:
This towering Italianate gem was built on the site of Bath's Hotel, which was Ballarat's first official licensed pub. Thomas Bath originally constructed a simple timber pub in 1853, which became the site of the Royal Commission into the Eureka Stockade uprising. Walter Craig bought the hotel in 1857 and built a far grander pub and hotel. The elaborate corner tower and three-storey western section were added in 1890, and the portico built in 1891. Craig's was one of the first buildings in Ballarat to be lit by a Sugg Lamp.
Craig's has been the scene of glittering social events like the Shenandoah Ball, which saw a group of US Civil War officers from the Confederate warship Shenandoah dance in the richly decorated ballroom in 1865. Craig's has been a goldfields icon since Prince Alfred, Queen Victoria's second son, slept here in 1867 during an official visit to Ballarat. American writer Mark Twain also stayed here in the 1890s, and celebrated soprano Dame Nellie Melba famously sang from its balcony in 1908.
Recently renovated, the hotel features 41 elegant suites and rooms. Craig's Royal Hotel is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
14. Her Majesty's Theatre:
This beautiful theatre, the pride and joy of Ballarat, opened as the Academy of Music in 1875 to avoid the negative moral connotations attached to theatres at the time. It was constructed of timber over a mineshaft. This is Australia's oldest continuously operating purpose-built theatre, and has been home to the Royal South Street Society and Grand National Eisteddfod of Australia since 1896.
Today, concerts and live shows are still held on the stage where Dame Nellie Melba once performed. Her Majesty's is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
15. Former Union Bank Building, 4 Lydiard Street South.
Constructed in 1864, this beautiful Renaissance revival building is considered one of architect Leonard Terry's finest works. Terry (1825-1884), incorporated a lower colonnade of Doric columns at ground level, and a colonnade of Corinthian columns and hooded windows on the first floor. The building is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
16. Allan Brothers Jewellers, corner Sturt and Lydiard Streets:
This perfectly restored example of Venetian Gothic architecture is a unique example of early heritage in Ballarat. Built in 1905, it once housed the former 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.
17. Former Bank of Australasia, corner Lydiard and Sturt Streets:
Architect Leonard Terry won a competition for the design of the London Bank's Melbourne office and later went on to design at least 50 other banks, including this imposing Italian Palazzo-style building, which was constructed in 1863. Note the elaborate ceiling, distinctive balustrades and decorative arch windows.
18. Former National Bank, 5 Lydiard Street North:
This striking three-storey building, again designed by architect Leonard Terry, was originally constructed as the National Bank of Australasia in 1862. This two-storey building is the office of the Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King and the building's top two floors are spacious offices and residential accommodation. In the large rear yard is an historic two-storey brick building that once housed a gold smelter, but is today the workplace of local artists.
19. Former Colonial Bank of Australasia, 9 Lydiard Street North:
This former bank, constructed in 1860 to a Leonard Terry design, is now home to Baird and McGregor lawyers. Established in 1899, the company is one of the city's oldest established law firms.
20. Former Bank of New South Wales, 13-15 Lydiard Street North:
This building, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, is an imposing Renaissance revival building designed by architect Leonard Terry and constructed in 1862. The one-time bank was also home to the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers, founded in Ballarat in 1982, which has grown into Australia's largest practical conservation organisation.
21. Former Post Office Building, corner Sturt and Lydiard Streets:
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.
This former post office building was once a bustling mail house, and was the second largest post office in Victoria after the Melbourne GPO.
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.
22. Former Mining Exchange, Lydiard Street North:
This classical building with wide elliptical entrance was erected between 1887 and 1889. Designed by architect Charles Figgis, it is lined with 40 offices that were once bustling with share brokers and mining agents selling shares in goldmines. The Mining Exchange recorded 98 members when it opened and when gold mining declined, the elaborate building was used as a garage, bus depot and craft market. The ornate verandah you see today was reconstructed from old photographs, and was replaced in 1987. This stunning building is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
23. The George Hotel, 27 Lydiard Street North:
No less than three 'Georges' have occupied this central site since 1853. The George Inn, Ballarat's second officially licensed hotel, was built on a grassy mound here. The second George was a double storey building with verandah columns, and was known as House's George Commercial Hotel from the late 1870s until the turn of last century. The present three-storey federation classical brick building, with its three-level iron lace verandahs, is unique to Victoria. This current version was designed and constructed in 1902 by E.and B. Smith.
24. Old Colonists' Hall, 20 Lydiard Street North:
The Old Colonists' Association was formed in Ballarat in 1883. This stunning Victorian renaissance revival hall was constructed in 1888 on the site of the former gold escort barracks and stables, and was a popular spot for early pioneers to gather for a natter. Designed by A.G.Leggie, the building's façade features beautiful balustrades and the relief letters and coat of arms can be seen in the centre pediment. The stone mask of the man with the stern face and Quaker-style beard above the entrance is recognisable as John Murray, who was the president of the Old Colonists' when the building was constructed. The building is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
25. Alexandra Tea Rooms, 26-34 Lydiard Street North:
This Victorian Renaissance revival building with its intricate two-storey cast iron verandah became a fashionable place for tea in the last century. Upstairs is Alexandria on Lydiard, an upmarket reception venue, which retains gracious period features including the grand sweeping staircase in the entrance. The building is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
26. Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, 40 Lydiard Street North:
Built in 1884, this is Australia's first provincial gallery and is also the largest regional gallery in Australia. Its collection of art, spanning early colonial works through to a contemporary collection, includes works from the Heidelberg School, and prints dating back from Captain Cook's voyages. A special goldfields collection includes works by Eugene Von Gu´eard, who painted the local goldfields in the early 1850s. It is also home to the original Eureka flag, which was hand stitched by a group of women loyal to the digger's cause. The Gallery, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, is open daily from 9am-5pm.
27. Former Union Fidelity Trustees Co. of Australia, 101 Lydiard Street North:
Check out the front steps into the stately building and you will see Ballarat Palace Hotel written in faded red paint. This was once the scene of many glamorous Ballarat events held in its elegant rooms, which feature marble fireplaces. The building, erected in 1887, replaced a wooden hotel that was destroyed by fire in 1887. De-registered as a hotel in 1918, the building later became known as the Union Fidelity Trustees. It was purchased by Cuthbert's, one of Victoria's longest running law firms, in 1983. The building retains its fine stone detailing with cement render, and elegant pilasters and decorative lintels above the windows on the upper floor.
28. Former JJ Goller & Co Warehouse, 114 Lydiard Street North:
This wonderful two-storey warehouse was built in 1862 from bluestone carted to Ballarat from the Barrabool Hills and other quarries near Geelong. From 1876 it housed Gollers Wholesale Wine and Spirit Merchants. The building was later tenanted by the Ballarat Orphanage and the Ballarat Community Corrections Centre.
29. Former Dunn's Warehouse, 120 Lydiard Street:
Constructed between 1861 and 1862, the exterior of this building was painted and copper awnings added when it was converted into a restaurant. It remains a unique example of a Renaissance revival style warehouse. Today it is the Bended Elbow Hotel.
30. Ludbrook House, 115 Lydiard Street North:
Prince Alfred laid the foundation stone of this stunning Roman Renaissance building during his visit to the city in 1867. The building, once considered for a Temperence Hall, was never built and in 1913 the foundation stone was re-inscribed and re-laid. Known as Irwin's Buildings, it was used as a hostel and canteen for thousands of servicemen during World War II and became St Paul's School in 1949. Today it is the office of Ballarat's Child and Family Services.
31. Former Reid's Coffee Palace, 128 Lydiard Street North:
Built in 1886, this Victorian classical building was once home to Reid's New York Bakery. The verandah was added to this two-storey building 10 years later. It was barely altered for more than a century until it was overhauled in the 1970s. One saving grace was that the grand façade, Edwardian balcony, hand-painted ceiling and stunning entrance arch were saved. The building continues to operate as a guest house.
32. Provincial Hotel, 123 Lydiard Street North:
Built in 1909, this Edwardian baroque-style building is a rare intact example from this era. Built on the site of two earlier buildings, the Irwin and Sovereign Hotels, this towering structure includes flamboyant design pavilions, dome towers and balconies. It was designed by P.S. Richards and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
33. Lydiard Street railway gates and signal boxes:
These beautiful old gates were installed back in 1885 when hand-operations by a signalman were common. The signalman wound a large wheel in the historic signal box to open and close the gates when a train approached. The signal boxes are an example of 19th century safe working practices. Today, Ballarat retains the largest surviving interlocked installation in the state. These are rare today. The signal gantries were installed after the 1888 additions. They were similar to gantries at the Bendigo Station and Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, now demolished. This entire area is of huge historical value to Victoria, and the gantries are the last surviving installations of their type in the state.
34. Ballarat Railway Station:
Thousands of commuters bustle through the city's historic railway station every week, but it's worth taking a closer look. The station was constructed when the railway line first began servicing the city in 1862. The prominent tower section was constructed 26 years later, and is one of the grandest buildings in Ballarat. This wonderful example of Ballarat's early architecture is a prime example of late 19th century railway systems built to the best of British standards and construction.
The railway station acted as a catalyst for the development of Lydiard Street North throughout the 19th century. Given the area's importance as a thoroughfare founded on wealth produced by gold mining activity, the station plays a crucial role in the interpretation of the entire street. The station is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.