Explore Ballarat

Ballarat is a city rich in historic splendour yet bustling in contemporary offerings. Your stay at Lascelles will be complimented by a vast array of things to see and do and culinary experiences to be had.

SEE + DO

Lascelles is located in the very heart of the Ballarat CBD, making it only a stone’s throw away from the major attractions. Take a stroll down the main boulevards and admire the historic 19th-century architecture in all its gold rush glory. Visit Australia’s largest and oldest regional gallery, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, and wander through the spaces filled with contemporary, colonial and indigenous artworks. The Ballarat arts precinct is also rich in a number of other galleries including The Lost Ones, Post Office Gallery and Backspace Gallery, each exhibiting a diversity of pieces from Ballarat and beyond.

For families, award-winning attractions including Sovereign Hill, the Wildlife Park and Kryal Castle are only a few minutes’ drive from home base and perfect for rounding off a day of exploration in the city.

EAT + DRINK

There should be no doubt in your mind that your stay at Lascelles will be accentuated by an intense
culinary experience.

Over the last few years, Ballarat has fast-become home to a number of cafes, restaurants and bars that pride themselves on serving up a true paddock-to-plate experience.

For brunch, cafes including Johnny Alloo, Yellow Espresso, L’espresso, Eclectic Tastes, Hydrant Food Hall, Higher Society and Fika Coffee Brewers serve up some of the best in Melbourne coffee beans along with everything from the classic Smashed Avo to a mouthwatering Eggs Benny
with a twist.

The Lascelles top recommendations for a divine dinner include contemporary Asian restaurants Moon and Mountain and Mr Jones, pasta and wine chateau Ragazzone, the family-friendly Forge Pizzeria and the fine-dining experience that is Underbar.

For an evening tipple, bars including Mitchell Harris, Hop Temple, 18th Amendment and The Comfort of Strangers bring some of the best in regional beer, wine and spirits to the tap ready to complete your stay.

Images: Underbar Ballarat – Jo O'Kelly – The Local Cafe – Martin Shew

OUTDOOR PLAY

With its warm summers, mild springs, autumns denoted by red, orange and yellow, and winters glistening in rain and snow, Ballarat is beautiful to visit anytime of the year.

Take a walk to Lake Wendouree, and stroll along the lakeside before enjoying a picnic with loved ones at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. During the summer, hit up one of the surrounding swimming holes at St George’s Lake or Lake Esmond.

Ballarat is also home to a number of local parks, reserves and walking trails worth discovering, including the Yarrowee Trail, Black Hill Reserve, Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail, Woowookarung Regional Park and Gong Gong Reserve. Whether you’re an avid biker, jogger, runner or cyclist, your getaway will be as plentiful as you like.

No matter the season, exploring the city’s outdoor wonders is a must during your Lascelles stay.

THE VILLAGES

Lascelles acts as the ideal home base to explore the region’s surrounding villages and townships, each with their own claim to fame.

Visit the charming Buninyong with its own majestic mountain, quaint cafes and restaurants; take a drive to Lal Lal in the wintertime and admire tha awe-inspiring waterfalls; venture out to Talbot for the acclaimed monthly Farmer’s Market; journey 20 minutes to Creswick and devour the handmade French pastries at Le Peche Gourmand; or explore the 19th-century wonders of Clunes with its historic thoroughfare and heritage facades.

THE WINE REGION

The Lascelles accommodation offerings are located an easy 30-minute drive from the Pyrenees Wine Region. Boasting several five-star-rated wineries, the Pyrenees is renowned for its diverse mix of microclimates, allowing for a wealth of grape varieties, cool climate vino and a range of red, white and sparkling. Savour the region’s rolling hills and sweeping views, visit the Cellar Doors and meet the winemakers, enjoy award-winning vino alongside a locally-produced cheese platter, and take a few bottles back home as you while the evening away in pure luxury.