Ballarat: The Highlander, The Lane Cafe and Bar, Roy Hammond

Take a break from the city and travel to Ballarat for a winter getaway with warm pubs, exotic drinks and plenty to explore.

Grace McKinnon

3 min read

April 24, 2021 - 1:43PM

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Ballarat Landmark Icons Ballarat Town Hall. Photo: Chloe Smith.

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Take a break from the city hustle and splash some cash in regional Victoria.

Here is the perfect way to spend a weekend in Ballarat; from crackling fires to a murder mystery luncheon.

There’s a lot more to Ballarat than the Sovereign Hill open-air gold rush museum, and a lot more to Sovereign Hill than what you saw on that school excursion many moons ago.

You can still pan for gold and see the sound and light show, but it’s worth visiting when the weather gets cooler for the Ballarat Heritage Festival in May.

EAT & DRINK

Highlander Hotel

This Ballarat pub has had a few name changes in its time. Most recently it was David Bromley’s Pub With Two Names, but this year it reverted to the identity it held for the first 100 years of its life — The Highlander. Come for the steaks, long whisky list and good times.

Doveton St and Mair St, Ballarat thehighlanderballarat.com.au/

The Lane Cafe & Bar

Come for a rainbow sour straw milkshake and stay for a warm cuppa on a cold day.

Open everyday until 3pm, The Lane Cafe and Bar is located within The George Hotel. 27 Lydiard St, Ballarat Central.

Roy Hammond

Enjoy Ballarat’s newest watering hole with a large whiskey, gin and wine range paired with an Asian fusion menu.

24-28 Armstrong St N, Ballarat Central www.royhammond.com.au/

STAY

Stay in the heart of Ballarat’s CBD in Lascelles Terraces. The revamped Provincial Hotel, opposite the train station, is another great spot to recharge the batteries. Fail-safe family options include Ballarat Windmill, located just outside of town, and Ballarat Goldfields holiday parks, each with cabins and villas.

Craigs Hotel – Murder Mystery

If you want to take your weekend away to the next level, book the murder mystery dinner or luncheon and stay at the Craigs Hotel.

As part of the Heritage Festival the hotel has partnered with the Ballarat Mechanics Institute to host party guests through a murder mystery adventure based on the town’s dark past.

Find out who tricked the Learmonth family into selling their gold mine while enjoying a three-course meal.

For bookings go to craigsroyal.com.au/accommodation/packages

PLAY

The Ballarat Heritage Festival

Far from a stuffy history lesson, the Ballarat Heritage Festival is packed with exhibitions, shows, music, talks and tours.

Highlights include:

Buninyong Progressive Dinner ‘Taste of History’ – A progressive lunch through Buninyong, established on Wadawurrung country in the 1850s. Walk the streets, enjoy delicious local food and hear entertaining tales and stories of the fun characters and the rich history of our gold rush town.

Beard & Stache Competition: The Ballarat Beard & Stache Competition is an annual event celebrating all forms of facial hair. There’s a category for everyone.

Steam Train Shuttles: Ride the historical steam shuttles departing the heritage railway station.

To find out more about what’s on at the festival visit, ballaratheritagefestival.com.au

Ballarat Gin Launch: Official Launch of the brand new gin, specifically created by The Little Lon Gin Distillery & the George Hotel. Bringing the rich Ballarat history to life with refreshing gin and botanicals.