Ballarat: Exploring Australia’s Lakeside City
Found in the Australian state of Victoria, Ballarat, Australia is a city along the Yarrowee River. It sits at the foot of the Great Dividing Range and is named after the gentle hills and its mountain-less landscape. Ballarat is home to over 105,000 residents, making it the third biggest inland city in the country. The city developed into a major settlement, following the Victorian gold rush between the 1850s to the 1860s. Guests can easily find a wide array of hotels and accommodations near the downtown area and Lake Wendouree.
Best Time to Visit
The city of Ballarat hosts a handful of events all year round, one of the biggest being the Ballarat Begonia Festival held in March. This activity celebrates the city’s world-famous begonias with colorful gardener’s market, wine offerings, food events, and live entertainment. The fall is just starting by this time of year, so the weather is typically moderate and chilly. This season is also the slowest in tourism, so expect cheaper Ballarat, Australia hotels. On the other hand, coming in the summer will be more expensive as there are a high number of tourists in the area.
What to Do & Area Attractions
You should not miss visiting Lake Esmond Botanical Garden and the Ballarat Wildlife Park while you are in the city. The Gold Museum is also an interesting attraction in Ballarat, housing a diverse range of collections, from military items to mining finds. For a scenic apartment, you can check out Lake Wendouree Luxury Apartments on Webster, which overlooks the lake. If you’re in for convenience, book your suites at Ansonia on Lydiard, which is in the city center.