Where to stay and eat in Ballarat
Ballarat, the Victorian city built on gold. Ballarat is a travel hub for its wealth of places to eat, drink and stay, plus things to do and see. It’s a gold-rush town full of grand Victorian-era architecture. If you are visiting our Cellar Door, we recommend exploring Ballarat. Just over an hour’s drive from our home in Great Western.
Where to stay in Ballarat
From grand hotels in beautifully restored heritage buildings. To modern crash pads and cosy country homes, we round up the best places to stay in Ballarat.
The Provincial Hotel and Lola restaurant
Set in a heritage building on Lydiard Street, The Provincial Hotel offers luxury boutique accommodation in the heart of town. The beautifully restored interior is reminiscent of Kit Kemp’s Firmdale hotels in London and New York. There’s a mix of old and new design touches. Handsome Victorian furniture, highly decorative wallpaper and fabrics alongside generous modern bathrooms and mini bars loaded with local delicacies. No two rooms are the same across the 20 or so Deluxe Rooms, Balcony Suites and Apartments. When it’s time for dinner or an evening tipple, head to hotel restaurant Lola. There’s refined European-inspired dining and a wine list that focuses on the finest natural and regionally sourced wines. The Provincial Hotel is no longer a local secret! Best Boutique Style Accommodation at the 2019 Tourism Accommodation Australia (Victoria) awards.
Craig’s Royal Hotel
Another heritage hotel in the heart of town is Craig’s Royal Hotel, Ballarat’s iconic grand gold-rush hotel that was built in 1862. Dame Nelly Melba famously sang from the hotel’s balcony in 1908, and today, Craig’s maintains its old-world charm with lavishly appointed rooms and high tea in the banquet room (there’s a high cheese for those who prefer savoury – genius!). Settle into a Chesterfield lounge with a glass of something local at Craig’s Wine Bar. The 150-year-old carved wooden bar is original, before dining in the Atrium restaurant. The restaurant is headed up by chefs Scott Alsop.
Bishops Palace
Located in Lake Wendouree, this ornate Gothic mansion was first built in 1877. The Bishops Palace was the home of the first Bishop of Ballarat. If the grand proportions, imposing staircase and gold lead stencilled paintwork look familiar. It’s because it was built and designed by the same team behind Melbourne’s State Library, Ripponlea Estate and the Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building. Today it’s a luxe boutique crash pad secluded on 1.5-hectares of heritage-listed gardens. There are six richly decorated guest rooms and common areas. The library is complete with fireplace and billiards table. The shaded verandahs and spa pavilion with sauna and jacuzzi) and barbecue area.
NRMA Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park
Ballarat’s award-winning family holiday park is an affordable accommodation option for families and large groups. It’s close to Sovereign Hill, Ballarat’s family-friendly ‘living museum’ with live shows and gold-rush era activities (think gold panning and cart rides). There are cabins and powered sites for camping and caravans. Plus plenty to keep the kids busy, including swimming pools, a tennis court and basketball hoop. Ride peddle bikes and visit an adventure playground and indoor heated spa.
Where to eat in Ballarat
There’s a raft of different places to enjoy either a quick bite or a more substantial meal in Ballarat.
Coffee and breakfast
Coffee, artisan baked goods and all-day breakfasts – discover the best way to start your day in Ballarat.
Fika Coffee Brewers
To fuel your day, head to Fika Coffee Brewers. Fika is Swedish for ‘coffee break’ and the name hints at what these guys do best. They serve local Melbourne St Ali coffee alongside a contemporary breakfast menu, inspired toasties, fresh pastries and cult Vegas & Rose doughnuts.
1816 Bakehouse
1816 Bakehouse is Ballarat’s go-to artisan bakery and ‘the’ place for anything warm and golden from the oven. There are hand-shaped sourdough loaves, hand-rolled pastries, freshly made sandwiches, plus locally roasted coffee. Must-try is their beef brisket and cheese pie and pumpkin sourdough.
Yellow Espresso
No need to set the alarm, as Yellow Espresso does all-day breakfast and lunch in the heart of town. Whether you’re after a green smoothie, avo toast or your daily caffeine fix. This popular cafe is a local favourite and often gets busy. Plant based? There are vegan options, from raw cakes to daily soups and a falafel burger.
Drive Cafe
Drive Café started as a simple suggestion – “what about turning the old servo on the corner into a cafe?” Drive set out to create a space that offers great coffee and inspires community connection whilst supporting local food producers. The menu is delicious and diverse with all day breakfast and lunch plus gluten free and vegan options. Why not sample the Reuben with a glass Best’s Cabernet Sauvignon. Drive is open daily 8am-3pm
Casual eats and bars
From lunch to dinner and aperitivo in between. Take your pick from cool cafes, local favourite wine bars and smart casual eateries offering global flavours and local wines.
Eleanora
Welcome to Eleanora! Our newest establishment and the sister restaurant of Eclectic Tastes Café & Pantry. Passionate about hospitality, our team delivers beautiful, modern, seasonal food matched with a selection of the very best Australian wines. At Eleanora, we value the importance of featuring regional produce in our menu, dazzling your tastebuds with the great flavours Victoria has to offer. If you’re looking to pamper yourself with the finer things in life, come dine with us for an unforgettable experience with great food and quality service.
For more information, please reach out to us at hello@eleanoraballarat.com.au.
Eclectic Tastes
Locally owned and operated, Eclectic Tastes Cafe & Pantry offers more than just your usual cafe experience. Showcasing the diversity of what the region has to offer including local produce, wines, boutique beers and great coffee. This relaxed café-come-provedore is a surprising dining experience with a menu that spans global favourites and classic Aussie cafe fare. Open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week. From 7am weekdays and 8am on weekends, come for quality casual dining. Enjoy a bottle of our Shiraz with lamb flatbread, prawn pasta or a Korean chicken burger.
Boatshed
Boatshed is located on the Lake Wendouree foreshore in the very heart of Ballarat. The iconic Ballarat restaurant has been a popular destination on the lake for almost two decades. In late 2017 Boatshed was refurbished, boasting amazing views of Lake Wendouree with a newly created modern-Australian menu. There’s all-day dining starting with breakfast served 7am-11:30am. Followed by a hefty menu of share plates, snacks, large plates, toasties, pizza and dessert. Sip our LSV Shiraz on the menu.
Pipers by the Lake
Set amongst century old trees on the shore of Ballarat’s beautiful Lake Wendouree, Pipers by the Lake is open for breakfast and lunch daily and serve a simple but balanced modern menu. Their wagyu beef burger is to die for and pairs perfectly with Best’s Bin 1 Shiraz. Or if you’re looking for something a little lighter, try their Thai Fish Cakes with a glass of our Great Western Riesling. After lunch take a walk in the magnificent and historic Botanical Gardens.
Fine Dining
Underbar
This discreet 16-seater serves an elegant seasonal tasting menu on Friday and Saturday evenings only. Chef Derek Boath spent time in the kitchen at New York’s Michelin-starred Per Se, and he brings a sensibility for technique and high-quality produce to his unassuming Ballarat restaurant. Reservations open on the first day of each month and get snapped up quickly. Derek’s menu changes depending on what’s in season. But past dinners have looked like this: butter-poached Port Phillip Bay calamari with raw peas, wild fennel, meyer lemon and just warmed buttermilk. Lamb rump from Castle Hill with choy sum, black garlic, sesame, ginger and lamb consommé. Canalé de Bordeaux with caramelised Jerusalem artichoke and Perigord truffle.
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Travelling through other parts of Victoria? Perhaps you’d be interested in some of our other regional food and wine guides. Take a look:
