Throw away your cares for the weekend and make Ballarat your romantic home away from home. In the heart of Victoria’s Goldfields region, the area is steeped in history and nostalgia. Get swept away by beauty and grace of Ballarat as you stroll hand and hand through the tree-lined streets with your sweetheart.
For a lively adventure with your other half, hire a pair of bikes and cycle to the picturesque Lake Wendouree, where you will instantly feel transported to another world.
If you would prefer to get a little closer to nature, the Ballarat Wildlife Park, located at 250 Fussell Street, is the perfect place to spend the afternoon. More than just a zoo, it is a family-owned and operated conservation park where the animals can roam free. Local buses are run regularly from Ballarat’s town centre and will drop you at the park’s doorstep.
For a peaceful afternoon, wonder at the artistic marvels housed in the Art Gallery of Ballarat, located at 40 Lydiard Street in North Ballarat. As Australia’s oldest regional gallery with a busy exhibition schedule, the Gallery is an exciting and dynamic place that boasts a broad selection of Australian paintings, sculptures, ceramic work and works on paper.
For a spot of shopping, craft enthusiasts should not miss a visit to the Sovereign Needlework. Found at 215 Mair Street, the store even offers a ‘gentlemen’s chair’ so ladies are free to browse!
On the same street as the Gallery, the Mining Exchange Gold Shop is another treasure of the town, where you may purchase a piece of local Ballarat gold or jewellery.
As the sun sets on picturesque Ballarat, explore the town’s abundance of restaurants. With a diverse selection of dining options brimming with fresh produce accompanied by local wines, you’re sure to find something delicious to share.
If you would like to extend your stay in Ballarat, there are a number of romantic accommodation options to suit every couple’s style. For a recommendation, contact or visit the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, conveniently located in the centre of the town, on Lydiard Street.