AUSTRALIAN GOOD FOOD GUIDE - Home of the Chef Hat Awards

Ballarat’s Brilliantly Unexpected Summer Moments


When it comes to surprising destinations, Victoria’s Ballarat tops the list. Steeped in gold rush history, this dynamic regional city is rewriting the rules with a Summer that’s anything but predictable.
 
From ghost tours to Spanish tapas and Medieval jousting, Ballarat is serving up brilliantly unexpected moments at every turn this Summer:

See and Do:

Eerie Tours – explore Ballarat’s dark side with a guided ghost tour through eerie streets and the historic cemetery. Learn chilling tales of death and drama as you soak up the city’s Gothic-inspired architecture.

Summer Sundays – every Sunday in January, the Ballarat Botanical Gardens come alive with free live music, local food trucks and a pop-up garden tour. The 2025 lineup includes Allysha Joy, Hot Lemons, La Descarga and The Yachtski Brothers.

Ballarat’s Brilliantly Unexpected Summer Moments
AURA Sound and Light Show – experience gold like never before at this high-impact 90-minute spectacle which transforms Sovereign Hill into a breathtaking theatre under the stars where the gritty drama of gold, rebellions and triumphs unfolds. With stunning projections about the Wadawurrung creation story soaring across the skies, AURA brings history to life in a way that will leave you awestruck.

Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades – ever wanted to make your own jewellery, learn traditional weaving or go full Medieval and craft your own armour? Learn something new while preserving something old with a hands-on workshop at the Rare Trades Centres. You can also gon on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections and its hidden vaults of more than 150,000 cultural treasures.

Ballarat Wildlife Park – visit Kai and Akasha, the park’s Sumatran tigers, or catch feeding time with Crunch the massive saltwater crocodile. Prefer something cuter? Book an animal encounter with a koala, tree kangaroo or meerkat family.
 
Ballarat’s Brilliantly Unexpected Summer Moments

Hop Lane – step into a splash of colour in Hop Lane, where a canopy of vibrant umbrellas transforms the laneway between bars into a year-roudn spectacle. The hues change with the season, so there’s always a fresh vibe to enjoy.

Kryal Castle – cross the drawbridge and enter the mythical world of Kryan Castle, complete with jousting knights, sword fights and sometimes even dragons and unicorns. You can even go all in by staying the night in one of the castle’s themed suites.
Taste:
 
Ballarat’s Brilliantly Unexpected Summer Moments

Forage & Feast Festival – running from January 13 to February 16, this month-long foodie extravaganza showcases Central Highlands growers and makers. From truffle hunto to bridge picnics, it’s a must for culinary adventurers.

Meigas – satisfy your cravings for Barcelona with authentic Spanish fare. Think everything rom croquetas and calamares fritos to churros and crema Catalana. Can’t decide? Just say ‘feed me’ and the team will hit you up with their most popular tapas dishes served degustation-style. 
 
Ballarat’s Brilliantly Unexpected Summer Moments

Babae – with a name that means surprise and amazement, Babae is here to deliver the wow. Tucked inside the ultra-luxe Hotel Vera, this intimate 26-seat dining experience is pure gastronomy glory. Featuring an ever-changing seasonal menu that champions local growers, Babae offers sa four-course lunch or a decadent seven-course dinner menu, perfectly paired with matched wines.

Dalwhinnie Wines – Nestled within a high-altitude natural amphitheatre in the Pyrenees Ranges, soak up stunning views of the vineyard with a cheese platter and glass of the winery’s premium Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay.

Ballarat’s Brilliantly Unexpected Summer Moments
Stay:

Mooramong Tiny Houses – small on size but bih on charm, these tiny houses are the ultimate escape. A collaboration between the National Trust and Into the Wild Escape, these three secluded cabins are nestled on Mooramong Estate, a 4000-acre sheep station near Skipton. Each cabin is named after a silent film character played by Hollywood star Claire Adams, who once owned the historic property with her millionaire husband, Donald ‘Scobie’ MacKinnon.
 
Ballarat’s Brilliantly Unexpected Summer Moments

The Provincial Hotel – this hotel feels like ‘staying at your exceptionally stylish best friend’s house’ – the kind with an eye for playful fabrics, bespoke furniture and a mix of contemporary and classic artwork. Located in Ballarat’s Lydiard Street North, this National Trust-listed shotel combines comfort and luxury with a unique twist. Don’t miss out on dining at Lola, a European-inspired restaurant named after gold rush showgirl Lola Montez, or relax in the courtyard with a cocktail from Clara, the chic caravan honouring the town’s first female Editor.

Ballarat’s Brilliantly Unexpected Summer Moments
BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park – travelling with your furry friend? BIG4’s pet-friendly precinct offers cabins and powered sites with dedicated dog-friendly amenities, including an off-leash billabong.
Want more AGFG?
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest articles & news...