Ballarat Day Trip

Ballarat, Victoria
1 day

Take a day trip to Ballarat - where gold rush history meets fair dinkum Aussie charm! Just a short train ride or drive from Melbourne, Ballarat’s rich history as a hub of the gold rush era brings to life tales of fortune seekers and pioneers, while its present-day charm exudes a sense of warmth and authenticity that is uniquely Australian.

  • Style

    Day Trip
    Traveller

  • Transport

    Train & Bus
    or Self Drive

  • Distance

    3-4km walking

  • Time

    1 full day

  • Difficulty

    Easy
    Easy walking

BALLARAT

Ballarat sits approximately 110 km west of Melbourne on Wathaurong land. The town is well known as the site of the Eureka Stockade, an 1854 uprising of gold miners against the government, which is seen as a significant step in the road to democracy in Australia. With a population of around 105,000, Ballarat offers a vibrant blend of history, art, architecture, and stunning landscapes.

TRAVEL FOR $10: Leave the car at home and use V/Line and local buses for all your transport. The total cost of your transport will be only $10 ($5 concession) on weekdays and $7.40 ($3.70 concessions) on weekends!

EARLY START: There is a lot to see on this day so we recommend leaving Melbourne as early as you can manage. You’ll be able to enjoy the day more and an added bonus is that the Wetlands at Lake Wendouree are at their best earlier in the day.

TUESDAY-SUNDAY: Don’t try this day trip on a Monday as Sovereign Hill is closed.

LUNCH: Feel free to bring a picnic lunch which you can enjoy at any number of places. In Ballarat, around the Art Gallery, there are many restaurants. And within Sovereign Hill there is a bakery, cafe and full service restaurant. Take your pick!

BALLARAT FARMERS MARKET: Operates on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at Zoo Drive opposite the Botanic Gardens.

MAP & DIRECTIONS

Click on the map to see it in full view.

GETTING TO BALLARAT:

  • The best way to travel from Melbourne is on the train. Vline services run every hour and take 1.5 hours.

  • To visit Lake Wendouree and the Botanic Gardens you will need to take the train to Wendouree Station which is just after Ballarat Station. Not all Ballarat trains go to Wendouree so be sure to check the timetable carefully.

  • The trains are very comfortable and only cost $10 for a full day of travel ($7.20 on weekends) making it the easiest and most economical way to travel.

  • A myki card is required to travel on public transport and seats do not need to be reserved.

  • Double check the train timetable on the PTV website: Melbourne-Ballarat-Wendouree timetable

  • If you do decide to drive, take the Western Freeway (M8). Ballarat is 115km from the centre of Melbourne. There is parking at Lake Wendouree (free), Ballarat Gallery (paid) and Sovereign Hill (free).

WALKING ROUTE: The walk from Wendouree Station to the bus stop is only 3km and easily done by anyone with reasonable fitness. At Sovereign Hill you can walk as little or as much as you like.

  • If you find the walking too much at any stage, Eureka Taxis (1300 18 33 60) or 13cabs (13 2227) are just a phone call away.

The Wetlands, Lake Wendouree, Ballarat

STOP 1

THE WETLANDS

WALK FROM THE WENDOUREE TRAIN STATION:

  • Leave the station and walk back in the direction the train came from to Gillies St.

  • Turn right onto Gillies St and walk to the the first intersection which is with Gregory St.

  • Crossing at the lights, turn left onto Gregory St and walk a couple of hundred metres to the second speed bump where there is small path, the entrance to the Wetlands, on the right.

  • Just after entering the park, take the track to the right, then there is a smaller track to the left which goes close to the water, take this track.

THE WETLANDS: This park is one of the jewels in the crown of Lake Wendouree precinct. The first things you notice as you begin to meander the paths threading through the Wetlands is the abundance of birdlife. The sounds of birds and frogs fill the air, particularly earlier in the morning. The regenerated bushlands are an oasis and it is easy when here to forget you are in the middle of a city of 100,000 people. The wetlands filter stormwater runoff before it enters the Lake.

Lake Wendouree, Ballarat

STOP 2

LAKE WENDOUREE

WALK TO LAKE WENDOUREE: At the far end of the Wetlands you will approach a road. Cross the road, turn to the left to walk 50m, then turn right onto a smaller gravel track to walk with Lake Wendouree on your left.

LAKE WENDOUREE: Walk 500m along the edge of the lake enjoying the bird life and vegetation.

This was the “resting place” (balla arat) of the Wanderung people. For thousands of years the area supplied an abundance of food and materials for them.

With the arrival of Europeans in 1838 the area was forever transformed, firstly into sheep stations, then the gold rush saw the arrival of thousands of people from all over the world.

By the 1870s pleasure steamers plyed the lake’s waters taking day-trippers from View Point to the Botanical Gardens. Giant yachts, weighing up to 7 tonnes and carrying 40 people, were specially designed for the lake. They could float in just 23cm of water. Owned by stockbrokers and mining investors, they raced here regularly.

The sporting tradition continued into the 20th century, the Lake Wendouree being the venue for the rowing and canoeing events at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Ballarat Botanical Gardens

STOP 3

BOTANICAL GARDENS

WALK TO THE BOTANICAL GARDENS: Upon reaching Pipers by the Lake (coffee & food if needed) cross the road and enter the Botanical Gardens through the beautiful gateway.

BOTANICAL GARDENS: These gardens were founded in 1858, and known for the landscaped gardens, marble statues and modern Robert Clark Conservatory.

You will finish your walk in the gardens at the far end of the gardens to the left, but after entering veer first around to the right to see the “Statues in the Botanical Gardens” display and the fish and water lilly pond before making your way to the Robert Clark Observatory which was built at the bequest of Bob Clark in honour of his grandfather Robert Clark, co-founder of The Courier newspaper

Read more on the Botanical Gardens website.

Francis Forde, Ballarat Botanical Gardens

AVENUE OF PRIME MINISTERS: Leaving the Conservatory and heading south you will come to the Avenue of Prime Ministers, which will engage anyone with an interest in politics or Australian history.

A bronze bust of all of Australia’s past Prime Ministers are laid out along the path in order of service. There are currently 29 busts installed, starting with Edmond Barton and ending with Malcolm Turnbull. Even the shortest serving Prime Minister, Francis Forde, who served for 7 days as caretaker PM, has a bust in his honour.

There is no bust yet of Scott Morrison, however, the Ballarat Gallery has an unofficial bust called ‘CoalMo’ in its display - story in local news.

CONTINUE THROUGH BOTANICAL GARDENS: There is a lot to see so enjoy the walk. Highlights of the next section include the Sensory Garden and giant Redwood trees.

When you are opposite the big adventure playground on the lake side of the road, crossover to continue walking on the lake’s shore.

Black Swans

STOP 4

LAKE WENDOUREE & BUS TO CENTRE OF BALLARAT

WALK BESIDE LAKE WENDOUREE:

  • Back at the lake turn right and continue walking keeping the lake on your left.

  • Take the options to take the smaller tracks onto Yuille Island and the Spit.

  • At the south-west corner of the lake are facilities for rowing races as well as a memorial for the 1956 Olympics rowing and canoeing which were held here.

WALK TO BUS STOP:

  • At the Olympic Memorial you will leave the lake by crossing Wendouree Parade at the roundabout and walking south down Hamilton Ave.

  • After 100m you will reach Stuart St, the major road of central Ballarat. Turn left on Stuart St. Only 30m further is a bus stop for bus number 26. This bus stop is called ‘Loreto College / Stuart St’. map

BUS 26 TO CENTRE OF BALLARAT:

  • If you are planning to use the bus, try to time it so you fit in with the bus schedule. Buses pass here on the following schedule:

    • Mon-Fri: every 30 mins on the hour and half hour

    • Sat: once an hour at 2 mins to the hour (eg. 10:58am)

    • Sun: limited schedule - the most useful buses are at 10:28am or 11:58am.

    • Check the timetable on the PTV website.

  • Take the bus for 10 mins / 11 stops to the Armstrong St / Stuart St stop. map

  • If you don’t time in for a bus you could take a taxi (ph. 1300 18 33 60) or grab an e-scooter from rideneuron.com

Art Gallery of Ballarat

STOP 5

ART GALLERY OF BALLARAT

WALK TO THE GALLERY:

  • It is only 250m from the bus stop to the Gallery.

  • After getting off the bus, continue walking in the direction of travel to the next intersection and turn left to walk down Lydiard St.

  • Lydiard St is one of the best preserved streets in Ballarat so take a few minutes to enjoy the historic buildings.

  • The Gallery is a little more than half way down the street on the right.

BALLARAT GALLERY: This is the oldest and largest regional art gallery in the country. Established in 1884, this cultural landmark houses a diverse collection of Australian art spanning over centuries, showcasing both contemporary works and significant historical pieces that highlight the rich artistic heritage of the region.

The gallery is a pleasant calm space with a large variety of art, truly something for everyone.

Free guided tours are one of the highlights at the Gallery and run everyday at 11 am. Numbers are restricted, so first in best dressed!

Daily 9am-5pm • Free • website

1874 Sturt St, Ballarat

STOP 6

SOVEREIGN HILL

PHOTO: 1874 wood engraving of Sturt St by Ebenezer and David Syme, published in The illustrated Australian. State Library of Victoria Collection.

BUS 21 TO SOVEREIGN HILL:

  • You will need to walk 650m to the bus stop.

  • Walk back to Stuart St and turn left. At Grenville St turn right, then at Little Bridge St turn left. The Little Bridge St Interchange bus stop is 100m along this street on the right. map

  • If you are planning to use the bus, try to time it so you fit in with the bus schedule. Buses pass here on the following schedule:

    • Mon-Fri: every 30 mins at 20 min and 50 min past the hour

    • Sat: every 30 mins just before the hour and half hour (eg. 11:59am and 12:29pm)

    • Sun: once an hour a few mins before the hour (eg. 11:57am)

    • Check the timetable on the PTV website.

  • Take the bus for 6 mins / 6 stops to the Sovereign Hill stop. The bus stops right in front of the entrance.

  • If you don’t time in for a bus you could take a taxi (ph. 1300 18 33 60) or grab an e-scooter from rideneuron.com

Redcoats, Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

SOVEREIGN HILL:

  • A major drawcard of Ballarat, Sovereign Hill, attracts visitors from all over the world. The 25 hectare site faithfully recreates the excitement of the 1850s gold rush era, immersing you in an authentic gold mining town experience.

  • To make the most of your visit, aim on spending at least 3 hours here, but it is easy to spend more time.

  • Take your time to walk every street and go into every available building. Each building is based on a business type or a house from the period. Costumed staff and volunteers provide information and are happy to pose for photos.

  • There are a number of free demonstrations throughout the day that you should try to attend, these include gold smelting, blacksmith, confectionery, printing, candle making and wheel making. Timetables are placed around the site and in buildings. Gold panning is available all day in the creek near the entrance.

  • Be sure to watch the redcoats march through town and fire their muskets. Times are displayed on the timetables around town.

  • Go into the Red Hill Mine which gets you underground to see what conditions were like for miners.

  • There are a number of experiences that require an additional ticket. You can choose to do any of these if you want but we find Sovereign Hill is perfectly enjoyable accessing all the standard inclusions.

Open Tue-Sun 10-5 • $49 / $40 / $29 + family tickets • website

Ballarat Station 1908

TRAIN STATION

PHOTO: Postcard of the Ballarat Railway Station c.1908. State Library of Victoria Collection.

BUS TO TRAIN STATION: Bus 21 will take you the 10 mins to Ballarat Train Station (bus stop name is ‘Ballarat Bus Interchange’). Buses pass here on the following schedule:

  • Mon-Fri: every 30 mins at 19 min and 49 min past the hour

  • Sat: every 30 mins just after the hour and half hour (eg. 4:03pm and 4:33pm)

  • Sun: once an hour a few mins after the hour (eg. 4:03pm)

  • Check the timetable on the PTV website.

TRAIN TO MELBOURNE: Back on the train home. We hope you enjoyed your time in one of Victoria’s great regional towns. There are regular trains on weekdays and hourly trains on weekends. Check the train timetable on the PTV website:

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FAQs

  • Train travel: $10

    Entrance Sovereign Hill: $49

    Total: $59

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