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Golden Ballarat
The cry of `GOLD” has been bringing people to Ballarat since 1851. The first visitors were miners in search of their fortune. Today many of us visit Victoria’s largest inland city to experience the miners’ many legacies. >> Destination Ballarat, Weekends For Two Majestic architecture including baroque mansions and Georgian homes, wide tree lined streets, colorful gardens and art and craft galleries are just some of the delights awaiting those who make the one hour journey from Melbourne.
If you are interested in learning more about the Eureka uprising consider a visit to the Eureka Centre and then join the 3.5 kilometre Eureka Trail which follows the route Government forces took.
If you’re into the arts then a visit to the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery is a must. It’s Australia’s oldest and largest regional gallery and features a comprehensive collection of Australian art. Like Ballarat, it features many gems and is well worth allowing plenty of time to explore. |
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One of the best places to start an exploration of Ballarat is at Sovereign Hill. The 25 hectare site features more than 60 buildings where craftsmen dressed for the period can be seen working in traditional 1850’s trades. More than 50 work horses are used to help re-create life in the first decade after the discovery of gold in 1851. There are underground mines to visit, a liquid gold pour to watch and daily street activities. Every night, a 90-minute state-of-the-art sound and light show, Blood on the Southern Cross, tells the story of the Eureka uprising by Ballarat miners. The Gold Museum opposite Sovereign Hill, houses an extensive and valuable collection of gold nuggets, alluvial deposits, gold ornaments and coins.
The trail is one of a number of walks which highlight Ballarat’s many attractions. Walk through the Botanical Gardens and you’ll see why they are considered one of Australia’s best examples of the 19th Century gardenesque style landscape. Walk along Lydiard Street and you’ll experience a fine example of a Victorian streetscape.