Ballarat is a city in Victoria, Australia, known for its rich history. There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy in Ballarat during the summer months, such as cycling around Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park, tasting the local wines, and exploring the Botanical Gardens and Ballarat Tramway Museum. Here are some more ideas for things to do:
Best Things to Do in Ballarat
Sovereign Hill
The outdoor museum “Sovereign Hill” perfectly restores a 19th-century gold rush town. Summer activities have started, including various events. From January 26th to 29th, you can enjoy the dragon and lion parade on the main street to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Ballarat Wildlife Park
As a privately owned zoo, it’s very unique and offers an authentic wildlife experience. You can see koalas, kangaroos, even Sumatran tigers, dingoes and more. You can also feed the free-roaming kangaroos.
The feeling of getting up close and personal with kangaroos at a wildlife park is truly amazing! It’s definitely worth purchasing some food from the staff to feed them as they are incredibly well-behaved and cute – some are even picky eaters!
Since it’s a small wildlife park, there aren’t as many animals to see besides kangaroos. However, you can still spot many other adorable creatures such as koalas, foxes, alpacas, tigers, snakes, crocodiles and more. You might even see the staff members training an eagle!
Kryal Castle
This is one of the few places where you can experience living in a medieval castle. Medieval activities are held every weekend, and children have the chance to see real horses and knights in full armour.
Kryal Castle offers a variety of entertainment options, including watching ancient knight equestrian performances, archery, face painting, potion making, sword fighting lessons, and a theatrical performance of Alice in Wonderland. With so many activities available, it is easy to spend an entire day at Kryal Castle without getting bored.
Take a Bike Ride at Lake Wendouree
Take a bike ride to enjoy the two most iconic outdoor spaces in the centre of Ballarat: Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park. You can follow the map and path markers online and ride from the historical centre of the city to the lakeside.
The boathouses, docks, swans, and gardens are perfect for photo opportunities. The round trip covers 10 kilometers with gentle slopes, suitable for all levels of cycling experience. The route has few road crossings and mostly takes place on shared paths away from roads.
There are many attractions, cafes, playgrounds, and green areas along the way waiting for you to explore.
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Stop at the Ballarat Tramway Museum, ride an antique tram that is 100 years old, rent a paddleboat or take a ride on the Golden City Paddle Steamer to cruise the lake.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Explore the seasonal flower exhibitions at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and Robert Clark Conservatory.
On the second or fourth Saturday of every month, cycle through the farmer’s market, which is perfect for picnicking in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
Adults can rent Neuron electric bikes until the end of summer. They can be reserved through the Neuron mobile app or picked up outside the Ballarat train station.
Families can rent adult and children’s mountain bikes from Ballarat Bike Hire (reservations required).
Art Gallery of Ballarat
Immerse yourself in the cultural atmosphere at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, which has the largest collection in the Victorian region.
Take a stroll down grand historic streets such as Lydiard Street and Sturt Street, dotted with vintage shopping and boutique stores, for a fulfilling afternoon.
Events in Ballarat – Flowers Festival
Take a stroll through the fields of millions of sunflowers in Dunnstown and pick your own sunflowers. From late February to March, the flowers at the Britt family farm bloom in succession, so make sure to check the season and book your spot in advance. Enjoy an authentic country experience outside of Ballarat and bring home your own hand-picked sunflowers.
On March 11, 12, and 13, 2023, the Robert Clark Conservatory at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens will be filled with rare begonias. The Ballarat Begonia Festival includes live music, markets, food, and roving entertainment. This will be a fun family event perfect for taking lots of pictures. After the festival, the begonia flower show will continue until late April.
Other things to experience in Ballarat
Ballarat is the hometown of many artists and is designated by UNESCO as a City of Crafts and Folk Art. Look for locally handcrafted gifts at stores like Windflower, Ivy&Coco, and Essential Candle Co.
Taste their famous raspberry drops (ruby-red hard candy) at a gift shop in Sovereign Hill, and visit Brown’s Confectionery Factory, which pays homage to the technical craftsmanship of the Gold Rush era.
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