Ballarat

Where is it?

Ballarat is at the heart of the central Goldfields region; about an hour drive nearly due west of Melbourne.

What is it like?

A lively enough place but unlikely to hold your attention for more than a day, Ballarat is of massive significance to the history of white Australia.

Settled initially by the Aborigines and then by European farmers, the town was already established when gold was found in 1851. The gold was exhausted by 1918 but the town had already made its money and was set fair for the future.

The reason Ballarat is of importance is because of Eureka Stockade and the miners (diggers) rebellion of December 1854. The rebellion was about land rights, taxes, voting rights and mining licences. The diggers were barricaded behind a timber stockade when the state troopers attacked, 20 minutes later 35 lay dead including 30 miners. Despite the loss of life, the point was made and Eureka Stockade has become a symbol for the Aussie labour movement. It has also helped give birth to the enduring Aussie ideal of 'mateship'.

Despite the historical dimension the gold and the Stockade lend the town, the large student population ensures it is a lively enough place but as it is so close to Melbourne most choose not to sample the nightlife.

What to see and do.

To get a feel for the mining past visit Sovereign Hill a recreated mining town from the mid 19th century. This is a living museum with actors in period costume roaming around the place. A more traditional outlook is found at the Gold Museum opposite, with displays of gold and coins and a Eureka Stockade exhibit, this is worth a peek.

On the rebellion site stands the Eureka Stockade Centre with the Eureka Memorial Park nearby. Again, this fully illustrates the history and consequences of the rebellion.

For a breath of fresh air and a stroll it is worthwhile to take a look at the Victorian architecture, paid for with gold money and in good order 150 years later. If you prefer to take the air in a more pastoral setting then a visit to the Botanical gardens or a wander around Lake Wendouree might suit.

Eating, sleeping and drinking.

There is accommodation aplenty at all levels. Expect to pay more at the weekends.

For eating and drinking Ballarat is very well served, considering its size. There are over 40 pubs and a wide choice of places to eat. The nightlife buzzes more than it has a right to, live music can be found nearly every night of the week somewhere.