Ballarat Tours

Discover Ballarat

Tours & Experiences

Ballarat to Melbourne Airport
Ballarat – Melbourne Airport Transfers
0

(0 reviews)
Transfers
From$266.00
1.5 - 2 Hours
Ballarat
Melbourne Penguin, Wildlife And City OF Gold Rush Ballarat Bus Tour
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Historical Nature Wildlife
From$119.00
Ballarat
Melbourne to Ballarat Bus Service
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Bus Coach
From$91.00
1 Hour 45 Min
Ballarat
Sovereign Hill Ballarat Gold Mine Tour :From Melbourne
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Historical Sightseeing
From$169.00
8 Hours
Ballarat
Sovereign Hill, Botanical Gardens and Melbourne Skydeck Bus Tour
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Historical Sightseeing
From$189.00
10 hours
Ballarat
Werribee Mansion & Sovereign Hill Gold Mine Day Tour
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Historical Nature
From$148.00
1 Day

Ballarat

Ballarat is a historic city in Victoria, Australia, located about 100 kilometers northwest of Melbourne. Founded during the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s, Ballarat became one of Australia's most prosperous inland cities and retains much of its 19th-century grandeur today. The city is famous for Sovereign Hill, a living museum that recreates the gold rush era, and for its well-preserved Victorian architecture, including the stunning Art Gallery of Ballarat and the impressive Town Hall. Ballarat also holds significant place in Australian history as the site of the Eureka Rebellion in 1854, where miners protested against mining licenses and taxation without representation. Today, it's home to Federation University and serves as a regional center for education, tourism, and industry, while maintaining its reputation as one of Australia's most beautiful heritage cities.

What to see and do.

Ballarat offers a rich mix of historical attractions, cultural experiences, and outdoor activities. Sovereign Hill is the city’s crown jewel – an authentic recreation of an 1850s gold mining town where you can pan for gold, explore underground mines, and watch live demonstrations of blacksmithing and candle making. The Eureka Centre tells the story of the famous 1854 Eureka Rebellion through interactive exhibits and multimedia displays.

For art and culture enthusiasts, the Art Gallery of Ballarat houses Australia’s oldest regional art collection, while Her Majesty’s Theatre hosts touring productions and local performances. Take a stroll through the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, featuring beautiful conservatories, statues, and the begonia collection that’s spectacular in summer.

Lake Wendouree is perfect for walking, cycling, or boating, surrounded by gardens and sporting facilities. The historic Ballarat Railway Station and nearby Lydiard Street showcase magnificent Victorian architecture, with heritage buildings housing cafes, shops, and restaurants. Don’t miss the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E.), which explores Australia’s democratic story.

For families, there’s Kryal Castle, a medieval-themed attraction, and the Ballarat Wildlife Park where you can interact with native Australian animals. The city also offers excellent dining experiences, from historic pubs to modern restaurants, and serves as a gateway to exploring the wider Goldfields region with its charming historic towns and wineries.

Bus services from Melbourne to Ballarat and within Ballarat

Bus Options

V/Line Coaches: Service departs from Southern Cross Coach Terminal with a journey time of approximately 1 hour 32 minutes, costing around $22.60 with Myki.
Firefly Express: Daily service from Southern Cross Coach Terminal to Ballarat, journey time is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, with tickets costing $62-$65.

Airport Transfer

Ballarat Airport Shuttle Bus operates services from Melbourne Airport to Ballarat every 3 hours, with tickets costing $32 and a journey time of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Within Ballarat

Local Bus Network

Buses in Ballarat are operated by CDC Ballarat, part of CDC Victoria. The local bus network includes numerous routes connecting different suburbs to the Ballarat Station hub, including:

Routes 10-15: Connecting Wendouree Station and Ballarat Station via various suburbs (Lucas, Howitt St, Forest St, Invermay Park, Black Hill, Brown Hill)
Routes 20-26: Connecting outer suburbs like Canadian, Buninyong, Federation University, Mount Pleasant, Sebastopol, Delacombe, and Alfredton to Ballarat Station
Routes 30-31: Connecting Creswick and Miners Rest

Payment

You’ll need a Myki card for all public transport in Ballarat. The card costs $6 and can be purchased at newsagents and railway stations, or you can top up online.

Tourist Tips

Ballarat Station serves as the main public transport hub
Check the PTV website (ptv.vic.gov.au) or download the PTV app for real-time timetables and route planning
For tourist attractions like Sovereign Hill and Lake Wendouree, local buses provide connections from the station