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> Discover Victoria > Places to see > Ballarat
Take a step back in time, with a visit to Ballarat.
Ballarat is one of Victoria’s must-see destinations. It’s an easy day-trip from Melbourne, and V/Line offers
an easy and comfortable way to get there.
The
wealth created by the gold rush is present everywhere - from the grand old
buildings, to the broad boulevards and golden statues. The city is modern and
bustling, but owes its history to the pioneers who flocked to the area in the
1850s in the hope of making it rich.
Once
you’ve wandered through Ballarat, be sure to head to Sovereign Hill.
Attracting half a million visitors a year, Sovereign Hill is a living museum
representing the discovery of gold in 1851.
While
there are interesting tours and displays of gold pours, musket firing and
candle making, you can also catch glimpses of the real-life inhabitants of
Sovereign Hill – who dress in period costume and actually maintain this way
of life, regardless of who is looking.
To round out your Eureka experience, it’s also worth visiting the Art Gallery of Ballarat
to see the real Southern Cross flag.
And
once you’re Eureka-d out, you can get up close with the friendly kangaroos at
the Ballarat Wildlife Park,
take a long walk around the shores of Lake Wendouree, or enjoy the lights of
Lydiard Street by night.
When dark descends, you can take in some of the great pubs and restaurants in
the precinct, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals.
How to
get there
Ballarat
is approximately 76 minutes by train from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station.
Along the way, you can take in the scenery of Melbourne’s outskirts and
Victorian Goldfield towns.
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View timetable information
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Use Plan your
Journey (help) on the top left hand side
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Find out where to buy tickets
Fares
Great
value return train fares Melbourne <> Ballarat
Free
travel on trams, trains and buses
Your
V/Line ticket is also a Metcard.
This means you can use your ticket to travel on metropolitan Melbourne trams, trains and buses at no extra cost. You can also use the ticket to travel
on Ballarat town buses.
Please
note: since peak times are busy, we encourage
families to travel in off peak times if possible.
Transport
in Ballarat
Ballarat
Station
The station is just a few minutes from Ballarat city centre.
The
station includes disabled access, a public telephone, accessible toilets,
baby change facilities, a refreshment room with a licensed area and luggage
lockers.
You
can catch a bus into Ballarat, or there is also a taxi rank at the station.
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View Ballarat City Centre Map (PDF, 1.2 MB)  
Local buses
Local buses also depart Ballarat Station regularly. Your V/Line ticket is
valid for travel on these bus services at no extra cost.
Take:
Route 8 for the Eureka Centre and the Wildlife Park
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Download Route 8 timetable and map (PDF, 50KB)
Route 9 from Ballarat Station to Sovereign Hill and the Wildlife Park
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Download Route 9 timetable and map (PDF, 54KB)
Route 16 to the Botanic Gardens, Lake Wendouree and the Tramways Museum.
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Download Route 16 timetable and map
(PDF,
100KB)
For more information on local bus services:
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Take
a look at the updated bus information stand when you arrive at Ballarat Station.
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Visit
Davis’ Bus Lines
(new window)
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Use the Viclink Journey Planner (new window) or call 131 638
Regional coaches
V/Line coach services link Ballarat with Ararat, Horsham, Hamilton, Dimboola,
Adelaide, Halls Gap, Stawell, Hopetoun, Maryborough and Geelong.
Suggested
weekend itinerary
Saturday
Catch
the 9.08am Gold Rush Special from Southern Cross Station, with transfers
direct to Sovereign Hill.
You might
consider staying at Sovereign Hill lodge (new window)
for convenience.
Check
out the sweet-making display at 11.30am, the Street Theatre at midday, the
Gold Pour at 1pm, the Red Coat soldiers at 1.30pm, the Chinese Goldfields
tour at 2.30pm and the candle-making exhibition at 3pm.
See
latest visitors’ guide on arrival for latest times and information. Book into
the Blood on the Southern Cross tour at night, which operates seven nights a
week, but times change due to light conditions.
Sunday:
Take a
trip to the Eureka Centre and the Ballarat Wildlife Park
on the number 8 and number 9 buses.
Wander
around Lake Wendouree and the park precinct, and take a stroll in town along Lydiard Street. Stop by the Art Gallery of Ballarat
to see the actual Southern Cross flag. It’s a must.
More information
To
find out more about Geelong, visit these websites:
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Listen to the
ABC’s Podtour of Ballarat: Old, Cold and Gold
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Visit Ballarat
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Visit Victoria
Call us on 136 196 (+61 3 9697 2076 from
overseas)
with any V/Line enquiries.
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