Ballarat

Ballarat is the third largest inland city in Australia. Gold was discovered in August 1851 and the small settlement was transformed as fortune seekers flocked to the area and its rich alluvial gold deposits. The city is famous for the 1854 Eureka Rebellion. The orginal Eureka Flag, which was the symbol of the rebellion is now displayed at the Musuem of Australian Democracy.

Today, Ballarat is a thriving hub of contemport arts, events, sport, food and wine against its facsinating historial past.

Ballarat and the surrounding areas are an ideal destination for the traveller with a disability with a high level of accessible facilities including, accommodation, cafes and restaurants, playspaces, gardens, attractions, and sporting and recreational facilities.

Things to Do

Zambrero

/

March 24, 2020

Located in Armstrong Street is Zambrero, Mexican Restaurant. It is an open plan design with ample space inside for people using mobility devices or wheelchairs. There are large gaps between the tables making it an ideal location for parents with prams.

Ballarat Aquatic and Leisure Centre

/

March 10, 2020

The Ballarat Aquatic and Leisure Centre is located in the Price of Wales Recreation Reserve, Lake Gardens. Disabled parking is available at the front and side of the building.

Ballarat Botanical Gardens

/

March 10, 2020

The Ballarat Botanical Gardens is situated on the edge of Lake Wendouree and occupies 40 hectares. It is a significant cool climate garden.

Ballarat Wildlife Park

/

March 10, 2020

The Ballarat Wildlife Park is located on the corner of Fussell and York Streets Ballarat East.

Ballarat Yacht Club

/

March 10, 2020

Two disabled parking bays are available in front of the club and access is available from a short level path. An accessible toilet is available on the outside of the building and combined toilet and accessible shower with fold-down seat just off the entry foyer of the building.

Blue Pyrenees Winery

/

March 10, 2020

The Blue Pyrenees Estate is located in Avoca. The cellar door is located on the hill behind the main administration building. There is no step free access from the main lower car park.

Cafe Sidra

/

March 10, 2020

Cafe Sidra is located in Learmonth. It is a country style cafe and events venue specialising in local cider.

Cave Hill Creek

/

March 10, 2020

Cave Hill Creek is a tourism award-winning group accommodation facility located in the picturesque Raglan Valley. It is a year-round operation hosting 10,000 guests annually on camps, walks and weddings.

Craig’s Royal Hotel

/

March 10, 2020

Craig's Royal Hotel is located on Lydiard Street and is the quintessential Gold Rush era grand hotel. Accessible entry is via the bistro doors. The hotel has three main dining areas, the Cafe and Larder, Craig's Wine Bar and The Gallery. as well as a lounge area and gaming room.

Creswick Woolen Mills

/

March 10, 2020

Creswick Woolen Mills is an award-winning family owned spinning mill in Creswick. Visitors can take a tour through the mill, shop in the retail outlet and feed Alpacas in the adjacent farm area.

Eureka Centre

/

March 10, 2020

The Eureka Centre is situated on the historic site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade and is surrounded by the scenic Eureka Stockade Memorial Gardens. It is the home of the original Eureka Flag.

Fika Café Ballarat

/

March 10, 2020

Next to Mitchell Harris Wine Bar is the Fika Cafe specialising in Australian cuisine and coffee. The entrance is level and wide. There is ample room to access the counter and a choice of seating. There is no accessible toilet available, the nearest being at the adjacent wine bar.

Golden City Hotel Ballarat

/

March 10, 2020

The Golden Hotel is an historic hotel/function centre in Sturt Street. The hotel has a bar, bistro and function area. Level access is via Sturt and Dawson Streets. All areas are well laid out with easy access and a wide choice of seating. Chairs are easily removed to suit wheelchair patrons.

Hop Temple

/

March 10, 2020

Hop Temple is a craft beer and food hall located in the laneway behind the George Hotel which also runs through to Armstrong Street. The design is open and it can be entered either through the side door or when the double doors onto the lane are open directly from the lane.

Hydrant Food Hall Ballarat

/

March 10, 2020

The Hydrant Food Hall is located at 3 McKenzie Street Ballarat. This unique venue is located in an old warehouse space and retains the character of the building. Inside it is well laid out with plenty of open space for manoeuvering. It has a children's play space against the back wall.

Kryal Castle

/

March 10, 2020

Kryal Castle is set on the side of Mt Warrenheip just before Ballarat on the Western Freeway from Melbourne.

Lake View Hotel

/

March 10, 2020

The historic Lake View Hotel was opened in 1875 and is now a contemporary venue on the edge of Lake Wendouree. Entry is through the wide main door. Both the bar and Bistro area are spacious with room to move through both spaces easily.

Mars Stadium

/

March 10, 2020

Mars Stadium is Ballarat's premium sports oval and is located at Wendouree. It has recently undergone a $15million upgrade to the western stand. The stadium adjoins the North Ballarat Sports Club. Designated disabled parking is available in the sports club car park.

Mitchell Harris Wine Bar Ballarat

/

March 10, 2020

The Mitchell Harris Wine Bar is located at 38 Doveton Street. The wine bar has level access from the street and an accessible toilet at the rear of the main bar area. At the time of our visit, all of the furniture in the bar was "high top".

Overwrought Gallery

/

March 10, 2020

Overwrought Gallery is located on the Midland Highway in Blampied. Its garden art is a unique wrought iron metalwork collection, including unique gates, metal wall art, outdoor garden furniture and benches, laser cut privacy and garden screens, garden art and sculpture.

RACV Goldfields Creswick

/

March 10, 2020

RACV Goldfields is located in Creswick.

Regent Cinemas Ballarat

/

March 10, 2020

The cinema complex has full wheelchair access throughout with designated wheelchair positions in each cinema. The armrest lifts allowing people to transfer into a cinema seat if they wish. Gold class is also accessible via a small elevator to the right of the stairs.

Saigon Allee

/

March 10, 2020

Saigon Allee is a Vietnamese Restaurant located at 30 Armstrong Street. It is an open design with a large door, level street entry and a spacious interior. Seating is moveable providing a choice of seating options.

Sovereign Hill Museum

/

March 10, 2020

Designated disabled parking bays are provided in front of the main building. The public bus network, which is equipped with low floor buses stops adjacent to the disabled parking bays. Entry to the main building and ticket office is via a ramp in front of the building.

The Boatshed Ballarat

/

March 10, 2020

The Boatshed is located over the water on Lake Wendouree. Both the internal and outside dining areas are open with ample room. The tables and chairs in both locations are accessible for wheelchair users and people using mobility devices.

The Forge Pizzeria and Housey Housey

/

March 10, 2020

The Forge is a traditional Pizzeria. Entry from the sidewalk is through a wide level door. The interior is spacious allowing easy navigation for users or mobility devices or parents with prams. The furniture is movable allowing a choice of seating location.

The Western Hotel

/

March 10, 2020

The Western Hotel is located at 1221 Sturt Street Ballarat.

Victoria Park Inclusive Playspace

/

March 10, 2020

The Victoria Park Inclusive Playspace was opened in 2016. It was a community partnership with the City of Ballarat and the Touched by Olivia Foundation. Since its opening, it has become a major attraction with over 170,000 people visiting the site annually.

Windmill Playground Lake Wendouree Ballarat

/

March 10, 2020

The Windmill Playground on the shoreline of Lake Wendouree is an older style wooden structure that is a great example of an accessible playspace. It is ramped throughout and has made provision for children using wheelchairs on most of its activities.

The George Hotel, The Lane Cafe & Heritage on Lydiard

/

March 10, 2020

The George Hotel is the second oldest licensed hotel in Ballarat. Accessible entry to the hotel is via the laneway. The Lane Cafe is open with a variety of seating options. The floor is tile and polished concrete.

Art Gallery of Ballarat

/

March 13, 2019

The gallery is located on Lydiard St. Entry is Level via self-opening doors. The entry from the street is level. The reception counter is to the left. An accessible toilet is located on the ground floor.

Places to Stay

The Provincial Hotel Ballarat – A Luxury Accessible Getaway

/

March 10, 2020

If you are looking for accessible luxury, boutique accommodation, coupled with service guaranteed to exceed expectation, Simon and Gorgi Coghlan have created the perfect destination at The Provincial Hotel in Ballarart.

Cave Hill Creek

/

March 10, 2020

Cave Hill Creek is a tourism award-winning group accommodation facility located in the picturesque Raglan Valley. It is a year-round operation hosting 10,000 guests annually on camps, walks and weddings.

Craig’s Royal Hotel

/

March 10, 2020

Craig's Royal Hotel is located on Lydiard Street and is the quintessential Gold Rush era grand hotel. Accessible entry is via the bistro doors. The hotel has three main dining areas, the Cafe and Larder, Craig's Wine Bar and The Gallery. as well as a lounge area and gaming room.

RACV Goldfields Creswick

/

March 10, 2020

RACV Goldfields is located in Creswick.

Ballarat Primavera

/

March 10, 2020

Ballarat Primavera is private accommodation that can be rented as a whole house or by individual room. It is 8 minutes by car from the centre of Ballarat.

Sovereign Hill Hotel

/

March 10, 2020

The Sovereign Hill Hotel sits above and adjacent to Sovereign Hill Museum. There is a designated disabled parking space at reception, to the left next to the brown building. A brick path/ramp leads to reception.

The George Hotel, The Lane Cafe & Heritage on Lydiard

/

March 10, 2020

The George Hotel is the second oldest licensed hotel in Ballarat. Accessible entry to the hotel is via the laneway. The Lane Cafe is open with a variety of seating options. The floor is tile and polished concrete.