Ballarat

Ballarat is just over 100 km north west of Melbourne and is Victoria's largest inland city. Ballarat is a former gold mining town and the heritage buildings reflect the former wealth of the city. Ballarat is sometimes called the " Garden City" and the "City of Statues". The Welcome Nugget, the second largest gold nugget was found here by the Red Hill Mining Company in 1858 and weighed 71.3 kg. A replica sits outside the Visitor Information Centre in Sturt Street. Ballarat is close to the trendy Daylesford and Hepburn Spa regions.

Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
The memorial honours more 35,000 Australian prisoner's of war and is on the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

Ballarat Wildlife Park
Ballarat Wildlife Park is to the east of the city contains all types of Australian native wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, crocodiles, Tasmanian devils and quokkas. Corner York and Fussell Streets, Ballarat (03 5333 5933).

Ballarat Fine Art Gallery
There are a variety of permanent and travelling exhibitions here as well as the original Eureka flag. The flag was handed over to the gallery in 1895 by the widow of John King a trooper who had taken part in the attack on the Stockdale. 40 Lydiard Street, Ballarat (03 5320 5858).

Dinosaur World
Dinosaur World, a park with statues of eighteen different breeds of dinosaur. There are also a small wildlife park and a fossil museum.

Enfield State Park
Good fofr bush walking and and some old gold mining activity.

Eureka Stockade Centre
This famous historical monument also displays one of the most significant uprising s in Australia's history. There are many displays and stories about Australian history. Eureka Street (03 5333 5777).

Kirrit Barreet Aboriginal Art and Cultural Centre
You can hear cultural talks on the history of the first people in this area, as well as view displays. Highlights are the didgeridoo shows and boomerang painting. 407 Main Road, Ballarat (03 5332 2755).

Kryal Castle
This is a replication of a medieval Camelot, with castle, turrets and drawbridges. Highlights are the torture chamber, the alchemy display and the falconry shows. 8km east of Ballarat at Mount Warrenheip (03 5334 7388).

Sovereign Hill
Sovereign Hill is a recreation of a nineteenth century gold town, a town of living people who act out the parts. A whole day is needed to explore the township, the underground mines and olden day shops. You can even pan for gold here. Bradshaw Street (03 5331 1944).

Sound and Light Spectacle
The Sound and Light Spectacle entitled Blood on the Southern Cross tells the story of the Eureka Stockade Rebellion. Found at the Sovereign Hill site, there is a stunning display of sound and light in an outdoor arena. The show goes for over an hour and commences at dusk . Bradshaw Street (03 5333 5777).

Tangled Maze
Tangled Maze, a maze composed of flowering plants grown on trellises.

The Gold Museum
Here you can view the gold nuggets found in this area, there are all shapes and sizes with strange names attached. A history of the golden era is also displayed here. Bradshaw Street (03 5337 1107)

Sovereign Hill – Live Australia’s gold rush history at Sovereign Hill, an outdoor museum depicting life on the goldfields. Staff dress in period costume, architecture is that of gold rush days and life is lived as it was, with reenactments taking place all the time. Great days outing.   Paula Duggan

The Eureka Centre –Learn about the Eureka Rebellion in 1854, feel the tensions of the time and reflect on the feelings and the drama surrounding the Eureka Stockade. The Eureka Centre has a series of galleries with multi-media technology to bring to life the story. There is a kiosk for coffee and other light refreshments and a Eureka shop where you can purchase souvenirs.   Paula Duggan

Australian Jet Adventures – If you are looking for the ultimate buzz, then this is the place for you. Australian Jet Adventures offer adventure flights to suit your tastes. You can choose an aerobatic flight in world class aerobatic aircraft or the rush of a flight in a fighter jet. Mild or wild the choice is yours. All flights are from Ballarat Airport.  Paula Duggan