48 HOURS IN BALLARAT & SURROUNDS

Great eats

1. MR JONES

This hatted contemporary Asian restaurant serves fresh, balanced food with just the right amount of heat. The banquet menu changes weekly, so no two (or more) visits are ever the same. Add a signature cocktail and you could almost be on a beach in Asia. mrjonesdining.com.au

2. THE FORGE PIZZERIA

You’ll find all your favourites at The Forge – set in a former antique shop right in the middle of town – with many dishes celebrating the region’s best produce like Salt Kitchen Charcuterie, Meredith Dairy goat cheese and Western Plains Pork. Our hot tip? Leave space for one of the delicious dessert pizzas. theforgepizzeria.com

3. JOHNNY ALLOO

Named in honour of the Australia’s first Chinese restaurateur, John Alloo, this allday Ballarat eatery serves specialty coffee, a thoughtful wine list and hearty yet refined food. The 1870s building has been meticulously transformed into a calming place where the team aim to connect people and bring joy through great food and drink experiences, just like John did on Ballarat’s goldfields in 1854. johnnyalloo.com

4. ROY HAMMOND

This eclectically-dressed bar and restaurant showcases an Asian-inspired menu to die for. Think Korean fried chicken, bao of all descriptions, bahn mi and more, plus a mouth-watering array of libations served from a glowing golden bar. royhammond.com.au

5. HYDRANT FOOD HALL

Must-do activities

1. ART GALLERY OF BALLARAT

Over the autumn and winter months, Australia’s oldest regional gallery presents several special exhibitions worth making a trip to see. In an Australian exclusive, the Art Gallery of Ballarat will give an intimate and rare glimpse into the world of the Pre-Raphaelites. Meanwhile, alongside in a special double feature will be an exhibition of historical and contemporary Australian artworks drawing from the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites, particularly celebrated designer William Morris. artgalleryofballarat.com.au

2. RELAX BY DOING

Unlock a hidden talent during a hands-on adventure. Let your inner artist shine with a Made of: Ballarat Experience. This new series of creative experiences range from casting silver jewellery, hand painting a pot or vase, to capturing Ballarat’s beauty on an old-school camera and heading off the beaten track to forage for clay. madeofballarat.com

3. UN-WINE-D WITH A LOCAL DROP

Get your nature fix

1. LAKE WENDOUREE

The jewel in Ballarat’s crown really does sparkle. Watch local swans gliding along the glistening waters as you walk, run or ride around the six-kilometre Steve Moneghetti Track. Grab a coffee from a lakeside cafe, or plan a picnic with delicious local produce from 1816 Bakehouse and Campana’s.

2. WOOWOOKARUNG REGIONAL PARK

Woowookarung – meaning ‘place of plenty’ – is part of the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung people. The 641-hectare regional park, which is home to Australia’s first Dementia-friendly Forest and Sensory Trail, is perfect for bushwalking, trail running and cycling. Head to The Lookout for evoking views over Ballarat’s township.

3. MOUNT BUNINYONG

An extinct volcano rising 745m above sea level, Mount Buninyong is a short 20-minute drive from Ballarat. Take in the bush surrounds as you wind your way up to the lookout tower, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular, sweeping views of the region.

Sleep in style

1. HOTEL VERA

This newly-opened seven-room hotel takes luxe to the next level. Suites have been injected with sustainability and are individually styled (there’s even a dogfriendly room with a private courtyard for those well-travelled pooches). hotelballarat.com.au

2. BATTISTA

This circa 1860 Baptist church underwent a major renovation that was followed by the ABC’s Restoration Australia. Today, it’s a grand one-bedroom apartment with glass walls providing guests uninterrupted views of the incredible bones of the old building. battistaballarat.com.au

3. QUEST BALLARAT STATION

Quest Ballarat Station makes the ideal base for your Ballarat adventure. It features 77 stylish apartments and is a short stroll from restaurants, retail offerings and the Wallaby Track. questapartments.com.au

Discover a deeper form of escape with a circuit-breaking 48 hours in Ballarat.

Tucked away down an old bluestone laneway, Hydrant Food Hall is one of Ballarat’s best cafes. Set in an historic warehouse punctuated by an original Grinnell sprinkler system, the menu here is driven by seasonality and local produce combined with specialty coffee. thehydrant.com.au

The Ballarat region – and beyond – is home to a vast array of boutique and iconic producers, winemakers, distillers and brewers. From the big bold reds in nearby Pyrenees, to more localised offerings like brews from Aunty Jacks and navy strength gin at Kilderkin Distillery, there’s plenty to get your tastebuds tingling. Be sure to plan a tasting or two during your stay.

PRE-RAPHAELITES: DRAWINGS & WATERCOLOURS

May 20 – August 6

The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood are amongst the most loved artists of the 19th century. They looked back to the simplicity and directness of Mediaeval and Renaissance art with naturalistic poses and the use of brilliant colour, painting with originality and authenticity.

In The Company Of Morris

May 20 – August 6

This exhibition celebrates the ongoing legacy of the Pre-Raphaelites and William Morris in the work of Australian artists in the Art Gallery of Ballarat Collection from the 19th century until today. Artists included in the exhibition include Norman Lindsay, Deborah Klein, Elizabeth Pulie, William Strutt, Emily Floyd, Fiona Hiscock and Paul Yore.