Ballarat

Ballarat is a city about kilometers 110 north-west of Melbourne in the Goldfields region of Victoria, Australia.

Introduction to Ballarat

With a population of roughly 100,000, Ballarat is the third largest city in Victoria. Drive time from Melbourne is about 80–90 minutes. Ballarat is most noted as a former goldmining town with excellent examples of Australian colonial architecture and as the site of the famous miners' revolt at the Eureka Stockade in 1854.

History

Ballarat was named by Scottish squatter Archibald Yuille who established the first settlement—his sheep run called Ballaarat—in 1837, with the name derived from local Wathaurong Indigenous People words for the area, balla arat, thought to mean "resting place". The present spelling was officially adopted by the City of Ballarat in 1996. It is one of the most significant Victorian perioid boomtowns in Australia. Just months after Victoria was granted separation from New South Wales and the Victorian Gold rush transformed Ballarat from a small sheep station to a major settlement. Gold was discovered at Poverty Point on 18 August 1851 and news quickly spread of rich alluvial fields where Gold could easily be extracted. Within months, roughly 20,000 migrants had rushed the neighborhood. Several Australian mining innovations were made at the Ballarat diggings including the first use of a Chilean mill in 1851 and the first use of a mine cage in 1861. Unlike many other Gold rush boom towns and the Ballarat fields experienced sustained high Gold yields for decades. The Eureka Rebellion began in Ballarat and the only armed rebellion in Australian history and the Battle of Eureka Stockade, took place on 3 December 1854. In response to the event the first male suffrage in Australia was instituted and as such Eureka is interpreted by some as the origin of democracy in Australia. The Gold rush and boom gave birth in many other significant cultural legacies. The rebellion's symbol and the Eureka Flag has become a national symbol and is held at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka in Ballarat. Other nationally significant legacy structures include the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, established 1857 and the best example of a regional botanic gardens in Australia with the greatest concentration of public statuary including the official Prime Ministers Avenue; the longest running lyric theatre building, Her Majesty's, established 1875; the first municipal observatory, established 1886; and the earliest and longest memorial avenue and the Avenue of Honour, established between 1917 and 1919. Proclaimed a city in 1871, its prosperity continued until late in the 19th century, after which its importance relative to both Melbourne and Geelong rapidly faded with the slowing of Gold extraction. It has endured as a major regional centre hosting the rowing and kayaking events from the 1956 Summer Olympics. and is the commercial capital of the Central Highlands and the largest city in the Goldfields region of Victoria—a significant tourist destination. Ballarat is known for its history, culture and its well preserved Victorian perioid legacy.

Travel to Ballarat

How to travel to Ballarat by car

Ballarat is an easy 90 minutes trip from Melbourne on the Western Freeway (M8). Alternatively, from Geelong take the southern section of the A300; from Bendigo and Castlemaine take the northern section of the same highway.

Travel by train to Ballarat

Frequent V/Line trains run from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. The trip takes roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes with a usual frequency of one an hour in each direction. More frequent services run during weekday peak times, but they can be crowded. Ballarat train station is in Lydiard Street in the centre of the city. Lydiard Street has one of the best examples of Victorian-era streetscapes in Australia and the train station itself has a magnificent façade and clock tower. {{routebox | image1=VLine symbol Ballarat line.png | imagesize1=100px | directionl1=W | majorl1=Wendouree | directionr1=E | majorr1=Melbourne | minorr1=Ballan | image2=VLine symbol Ararat line.png | imagesize2=100px | directionl2=W | majorl2=Ararat (Victoria) | Ararat | minorl2=Beaufort (Victoria) | Beaufort | directionr2=E | majorr2=Melbourne | minorr2=Ballan | image3=VLine symbol Maryborough line.png | imagesize3=100px | directionl3=W | majorl3=Maryborough (Victoria) | Maryborough | directionr3=E | majorr3=Melbourne | minorr3=Ballan

Fly to Ballarat

Ballarat is not served directly by commercial passenger flights. You therefore need to fly to Melbourne. There is an Airport Shuttle Bus between Ballarat and Melbourne's main domestic and international airport, Melbourne airport (IATA Flight Code: MEL), commonly called Tullamarine on some booking sites. The shuttle bus costs $30 for adults, $76 for families, $16 for children 3 to 16 and children under 3 are free. For more information on Tullamarine see Melbourne#Melbourne Airport (MEL) | Melbourne airport. There is no direct connection between Melbourne's secondary Avalon airport (IATA Flight Code: AVV) and Ballarat and the options are to either hire a car, or get the coach into Melbourne's Southern Cross train station and then the train to Ballarat, which is a considerable detour. nShuttle.com.au shows and compares shuttle bus, taxi pickups and airport transfer fares to Melbourne Airport and surrounds.

Get Around in Ballarat

• CDC Victoria 804 Norman Street - ☎ +61 3 5331 7777 CDC runs the local bus network. All parts of Ballarat are served by the network with most buses stopping at the Ballarat Train Station in Lydiard Street. The standard frequency on almost all routes is one bus every half hour. A couple of routes have only one every hour. In the evenings and on Sundays services on most routes are infrequent, while less important routes have no services. As with public transport in Melbourne, passengers will need a Myki card to use the buses in Ballarat.

You can get around Ballarat by bicycle. There are two options for bicycle hire

• Bicycle Centre Ballarat - 24 Armstrong Street Nth - ☎ +61 3 5334 4388 +61 3 5331 8155
• Welcome Nugget – Bicycles for Hire | 128 Lydiard Street Nth - ☎ +61 423 268 618

What to See

• Visitor Information Centre 43 Lydiard Street North - opposite Ballarat Art Gallery 1800 44 66 33 Opening Hours: 9:00-5PM Free Open every day except Christmas Day
• Art Gallery of Ballarat - 40 Lydiard Street North - ☎ +61 3 5320 5858 +61 3 5320 5791 Opening Hours: 10:00-5:00 Free

The gallery has a large collection of both old and modern works. It also holds the iconic Eureka Flag, flown by the miners at the Eureka Stockade in 1854

• Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial , Cnr Wendouree Parade and Carlton Street, south end of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The 170 metre long granite wall has the names of more than 36,000 POWS carved into it.
• Ballarat Botanical Gardens ☎ +61 3 5320 5135
• Ballarat Tramway Museum , - Western shore of Lake Wendouree. The museum operates a fleet of historic trams along 1.3 kilometers of original track through the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The museum is open Saturdays, Sundays, public and school holidays from 12:30 till 5PM. A 20 minutes ride costs $4 adults, $2 for children. There is also a free display of stationary trams and memorabilia at the depot. An 1887 horse tram operates several times per year. Trams are also available for hire.

Ballarat trams No 38 and 28 - Ballarat Tramway Museum

• Ballarat Wildlife Park Corner York and Fussell Streets, Ballarat East - ☎ +61 3 5333 5933 +61 3 5333 4025 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 5:30PM Adults $25, Children $15 Closed Christmas Day. Has a large display of Australian animals, birds and reptiles
• Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka - M. A.D.E - ☎ +61 3 5333 0333 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 5PM daily Adults $12, Concession $8, Family $35 Cnr Eureka Street and Rodier St, East Ballarat. The 1854 Eureka miners' rebellion against license fees took place here. The new museum opened in May 2013 and focuses on the Eureka miners' rebellion and the changes it caused in Australian democracy. It also provides information on democracy world wide. The exhibits are interactive and follow you through the history of the rebellion and its outcome. They have the original Eureka stockade flag preserved and on exhibit.
• Kryal Castle 121 Forbes Road, Leigh Creek - Opening Hours: 10.00 - 4.00 weekends and school holidays A medieval castle situated just eight kilometers out of Ballarat on the Western Freeway. The attraction reopened in 2013 after multi-million dollar renovations. Costs: adults $31, children $19.00, family $89.00.
• Lake Wendouree ☎ +61 3 5320 5500 Lake Wendouree - A large 238 hectare lake in the centre of town. Has rowing, yacht, kayak and fishing clubs.
• Sovereign Hill Magpie Street -37.575117,143.8659 ☎ +61 03 5337 1199 Opening Hours: Every day except Christmas Day 10AM Monday - 5PM, till 5:50PM during daylight saving $41 adult, $18:70 child The "Disneyland" of Victoria, it is a recreation of Ballarat during the 1850s Gold rushes. Staff wear period costumes and visitors can try their hand at panning for Gold.
• Blood on the Southern Cross - Opening from Monday to Saturday evenings and some Sundays. Times vary $35 adult, $19 child An 80-minutes sound and light show depicting the Eureka Uprising.
• Gold Museum - Opening Hours: Every day except Christmas Day 9:30AM–5:20PM Sovereign Hill ticket gives entry to the museum as well.

Muslim Travel Tips

• Begonia Festival - Lake Wendouree & Sturt Street - Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 5PM Free The Begonia Festival, held over the Labor Day long weekend in March, is worth attending, with activities such as a street parade held in Sturt Street and horticultural displays in and around the botanical gardens of Lake Wendouree.
• Ballarat Heritage Weekend - , - Annual event over a weekend in May. Locations throughout Ballarat. Events and attractions include guided tours of the downtown and also specific historic buildings and homes, art and fashion displays, vintage vehicle displays, market stalls featuring rare LPs and books, trades displays and theatrical performances and themed dances and rides on the original Ballarat trams.
• Ballarat Antique Fair Ballarat Exhibition Centre, 501 Dowling St., Wendouree - Annual fair every March Labour Day weekend. Australia's longest running and largest antiques and collectibles fair. The 2016 Fair, in its 46th year, will be held on Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th and Monday 14th March, 2016.

Shopping in Ballarat

Ballarat 0061 - Ballarat Mining Exchange, home of the Design Exchange Ballarat has several markets held throughout the week which offer great shopping for antiques, bric-à-brac and various local products such as plants and confectionery

• Ballarat Bridge Mall Farmers Market ☎ +61 410215247 Opening Hours: 9am-1pm - Bridge Mall, Ballarat. Held 1st Saturday of each month, free admission.
• Ballarat Lakeside Farmers Market ☎ +61 3 9553 0601 Wendouree Parade, opposite the Botanical Gardens. Held 2nd and last Staurdays every month, 9AM Monday - 1PM. Free admission.
• Ballarat Sunday Market ☎ +61 418 518 106 - Ballarat Showgrounds, cnr Howitt Street and Creswick Road, Wendouree. Run by the Rotary Club of Ballarat South. Every Sunday from 8AM Monday - 1PM, entry is by Gold coin donation.
• Bridge Mall - About 120 shops, cafés and restaurants in and around a former through street now closed to traffic. Free parking. Includes Big W, Coles and Woolworths. Top end of Bridge Street has several restaurants.
• Central Plaza Shopping Centre Armstrong St. Sth - Three storey Shopping Centre with Myer, Target and several cafés/eateries.
• Stockland Wendouree Gillies St., Wendouree - About 90 shops, all under cover, with plenty of free parking. Includes Coles, Woolworths and Kmart.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Ballarat

• Ballarat Curries House 113 Bridge Mall - ☎ +61 3 5331 7361 - Traditional Indian.
• The Bean Barn - 217 Sturt Street - ☎ +61 3 5334 4449 A small cosy coffee shop which sells many types of beans as well as making arguably the best espresso in Ballarat.
• Crazy Asian 107 Bridge Mall - Good value Chinese, Indian and (Thai).
• Da Vinci's 29 Sturt Street - Italian, with gelato café at the front.
• Dino's on Sturt 212 Sturt Street - Italian cuisine.
• L'espresso | 417 Sturt Street - ☎ +61 3 5333 1789 Formally a music store, this place serves some of the best coffee in town, along with quality Italian-based fare that is interesting and reasonably priced. Choose a CD from the wall to listen to and try the housemade icecream.
• Eureka Bistro 316 Sturt Street - Italian institution.
• Europa - 411 Sturt Street - ☎ +61 3 5338 7672mid range A great surprisingly mid priced cafe, with a wide range of meals, from the tastes of Italy to Asia, also good for dropping in for a coffee or & watch the Ballarat foot traffic of Sturt St.
• The Forge Pizzeria 14 Armstrong Street Nth - Creative toppings and dessert Pizzas, served in an industrial-chic space with exposed-brick walls.
• Golden Crown Restaurant 101-105 Main Road - ☎ +61 3 5332 2169 - Chinese cuisine.
• Jacksons & Co 201 Mair St. Corner of Lydiard St. Nth - Recently renovated, restoring the Victorian-style façade.
• Jasmine (Thai) Restaurant 213 Sturt Street - ☎ +61 3 5333 2148
• The Main Cafe 28 Main Road - Café and grocery.
• Mr. Rice 214 Sturt Street - Chinese, (Thai), Malaysian. Great value with daily lunch deals. Eat in or take away. Very popular.
• Oscars - Doveton Street - opposite target, in the cbd ☎ +61 3 53311451 Oscar's Hotel & Café Cafe is a unique art deco, boutique hotel in the heart of Ballarat's CBD. Now privately owned and operated, Oscar's was originally the Criterion Hotel, a popular venue in the Gold rush days.
• The Pancake Kitchen 2 Grenville St. Sth - The original Pancake Kitchen. All Pancake Parlours are franchises of this; original and the best.
• The Provincial 121 Lydiard St. Nth - Recently renovated to its former glory.
• (Thai) Fusion 106 Sturt Street - Multi-award winner.
• Tokyo Grill House 109 Bridge Mall - ☎ +61 3 5333 3945 - Always gets great reviews!
• The Unicorn 131 Sturt St
• Zaragosa 102 Sturt Street - Spanish and Mexican. Very popular.
• Coliseum Walk off Bridge Mall - Ballarat Mocha Shop, Hudsons Coffee Shop and Cafe Meigas (Spanish).

There are numerous pubs and late night restaurants in Ballarat including:

• The Bended Elbow - Newly re-opened, this venue has several dance floors, an eating area as well as downstairs stage and nightclub.
• The Karova Lounge , cnr Field and Camp Streets ☎ +61 3 5332 9122 Opening Hours: 9AM till late

The best place for live music in Ballarat, with many popular Melbourne bands making the trip to perform there. Cover charge can vary depending on the band.

• George Hotel 27 Lydiard St. Nth. - Popular; with front bar, dance club in the rear and a gaming room.
• Freight café & restaurant Corner Mair and Peel Streets
• The Provincial 121 Lydiard St. Nth - Recently renovated to its former glory. Directly opposite train station in an Edwardian icon.
• The Bluestone 101/103 Mair Street -

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Ballarat

Ballarat - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Ballarat, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ballarat. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Ballarat and its surrounding regions. With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Ballarat. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Ballarat. Key components include: Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Ballarat: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Ballarat. Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Ballarat: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Ballarat, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Ballarat. Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Ballarat, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations. Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Ballarat, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values. Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Ballarat and beyond. Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Ballarat, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Ballarat, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Ballarat without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ballarat is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Ballarat. About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Ballarat is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values. For Halal business inquiries in Ballarat, please contact: eHalal Travel Group Ballarat Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Ballarat

eHalal Group Ballarat is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Ballarat. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Ballarat. At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Ballarat ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property. For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Ballarat. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living. If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Ballarat, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values. For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Ballarat are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Ballarat

Ramadan 2025 in Ballarat

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are many options for all budgets throughout Ballarat. Book ahead especially when there is a major event planned

• Oscars Hotel - Doveton St. Sth - opposite target, in the cbd ☎ +61 3 53311451 Renovated hotel built in Gold rush days, with 13 modern rooms, restaurant, café and courtyard.
• George Hotel 27 Lydiard St. Nth - Bunkroom $30, singles from $50 (tariffs include light breakfast). Nightclub may cause noise in the rooms till 4AM F-Sa nights.
• Craig's Royal Hotel 10 Lydiard Street - Sth. A Ballarat icon.
• Heritage on Lydiard Lydiard St. Nth - 4 star hotel in historic bank building in Lydiard Street, in the heart of one of the grandest Victorian streetscapes in Australia.
• Comfort Inn City Views 101 Curtis Street - 4 star hotel. Central location with ample off-street parking.
• Mid City Motel 19 Doveton St. Nth - ☎ +61 3 5327 7588 - Centrally located, with off-street parking.

Go Next

Hire a bike and cycle the 53 km off-road Ballarat to Skipton (Victoria) | Skipton Rail Trail. Download the free Bike. Walk. Ride. App from Web:

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