Magpie Travel Guide
Ballarat
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.
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.
St Patrick's Cathedral
You can find out about the history of Ballarat with a trip to St Patrick's Cathedral. Stroll along the lakeside or experience the area's art scene.
Things to do
Gold City and Wildlife Day Trip in Ballarat and Sovereign Hill
Top hotels in Magpie
Quest Ballarat Station
Clean, spacious, comfortable. Have stayed here annually for a few years now, excellent standard has been maintained.
Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026
Mid City Ballarat
It was good the staff were very friendly the bed was very clean and comfortable great location the room was clean but it could do with some repairs on the walls otherwise yeah I would stay there again
Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026
RACV Goldfields Resort
Always clean and staff are friendly
Reviewed on 10 Jan 2026
Quest Ballarat
Great room and handy location for many aspects of our stay in Ballarat.
Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026
The Provincial Boutique Hotel
Clean room, unique French provincial styling. Staff very pleasant. Lovely fragrant aroma on entering the hotel. Free car parking.
Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026
Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre
Nice stay. Had to change rooms as there was not enough beds for our booking but it was clean and comfortablew
Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026
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 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.
Redan
Though Redan may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like St Patrick's Cathedral and Ballarat Town Hall.
