Magpie Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Popular places to visit
Sovereign Hill
Strike gold at this open-air museum, which tells the story of Ballarat’s first decade as a gold rush town with recreated buildings, goldmine tours and workshops.
Lake Wendouree
Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Lake Wendouree during your travels in Ballarat. Amble around the area's lakeside or experience its museums.
Ballarat Town Hall
Ballarat Town Hall is just one of the places to see in Ballarat, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander around the gardens or experience the area's art scene.
Art Gallery of Ballarat
Follow the history of Australian art from colonial to contemporary when you peruse the collection of Australia’s biggest and oldest regional art gallery.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Find out about the history of Ballarat with a stop at Ballarat Botanical Gardens. While you're in the area, find time to visit its spas.
Gold Museum
Find out about the treasured metal that enticed thousands of prospectors to find their fortune in the gold rush of the mid 19th century at this intriguing museum.
Activities
Sovereign Hill, Botanical Gardens and Melbourne Skydeck Bus Tour
Gold City and Wildlife Day Trip in Ballarat and Sovereign Hill
Our pick of the best Magpie Hotel Deals
Quest Ballarat Station
Excellent, well maintained and modern accommodation. Centrally located and easily by public transport with buses and trains nearby.
Reviewed on 7 Nov 2025
Mid City Ballarat
Close to hospital’s which was great. the room did smell musty when we first went in, had to leave door open for quite some time.
Reviewed on 4 Nov 2025
RACV Goldfields Resort
Great room and breakfast. Spa not working which was a shame. Kids liked the games room
Reviewed on 28 Oct 2025
The Provincial Boutique Hotel
Very clean, close to all amenities any yummy food at the restaurant downstairs
Reviewed on 25 Oct 2025
Sovereign Hill Hotel
Really enjoyed out stay! So close to Sovereign Hill and great value for money. The grounds were immaculate and the staff accommodating.
Reviewed on 3 Nov 2025
Quest Ballarat
Just a one night stay. Staff friendly and helpful in a very caring way. Room large and comfy. Great sleep on big comfy bed in quiet area. Bathroom fine and kitchen good too. Be handy for a long term stay.
Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025
Other neighbourhoods around Magpie
Mount Helen
While Mount Helen may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Ballarat Bird World and Union Jack Education Area.
Buninyong
If you're spending some time in Buninyong, Mount Buninyong Scenic Reserve and Union Jack Education Area are top sights worth seeing.
Sebastopol
The spas and theatres are just a few features travellers like about Sebastopol. If you want to do some sightseeing nearby, Sovereign Hill and Gold Museum are a few top places to visit.
Mount Clear
Mount Clear is well liked for its museums. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Ballarat area, you might plan a trip to Sovereign Hill or Gold Museum.
Mount Pleasant
While Mount Pleasant isn't home to many top sights, Sovereign Hill and Gold Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.
Canadian
Travellers like the parks in Canadian, and Lake Esmond is a top attraction you might want to visit.
