Next trip:
Saturday 25 October 2025
(Farmers Market Day)
Choose the places you want to visit and spend as much time there as you wish. The shuttle will pick up and drop off at no extra cost.
Entry fees to attractions (if any) are not included.
On the way back to Melbourne we stop at an extinct Volcano, beautiful Waterfalls and a huge Windfarm!
Ballarat is a city in the Central Highlands of Victoria. In 2020, Ballarat had a population of 109,553, making it the third-largest city in Victoria. In 1851, gold was discovered near Ballarat, sparking the Victorian gold rush. Ballarat subsequently became a thriving boomtown that for a time rivalled Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, in terms of wealth and cultural influence.
The city is home to nationally significant heritage structures. These include the Ballarat Botanical Gardens (Est 1857), with the greatest concentration of public statues, the official Prime Ministers Avenue, and the earliest and longest war memorial avenue (the Avenue of Honour, Est 1917 - 1919). Ballarat is most notable for the award-winning open-air museum known as Sovereign Hill, a recreated 1850s gold mining settlement opened in 1970. Sovereign Hill is Ballarat's biggest tourism drawcard and is consistently rated among the best outdoor museums in the world and continues to expand.
Lake Wendouree. The reed beds and scattered islands of the Fairyland Wetland form a vital sanctuary for wildlife, offering shelter and breeding grounds for a rich diversity of species. Among the 166 recorded bird species, visitors are most likely to spot black swans, Pacific black ducks, gliding across the water or nesting along the banks.
Running along the western edge of the lake, a vintage electric tramway offers visitors a nostalgic journey through Ballarat’s transport history. Operated by dedicated volunteers from the Ballarat Tramway Museum, the line showcases a lovingly preserved fleet of fifteen historic trams, along with a rich collection of memorabilia from the city’s tramway era.
Welcoming over 20,000 passengers each year, this living museum is one of Ballarat’s most cherished attractions—blending heritage, charm, and lakeside scenery into a truly memorable experience.
Mount Buninyong is an extinct volcano rising to 745 metres above sea level. Located within the Mount Buninyong Scenic Reserve.
This ancient peak occasionally receives light snowfall, averaging six days a year, and in colder winters, its summit may be briefly snowcapped, adding a rare alpine touch to the volcanic landscape. With panoramic views from the Observation Tower and rich ecological diversity, Mount Buninyong remains a cherished landmark for locals and visitors alike.
Lal Lal Waterfalls arguably the most breathtaking of Moorabool’s natural wonders, plunges 30 metres over dramatic basalt columns into a rugged, rocky gorge below. Its sheer drop and thunderous flow make it a standout feature in the region’s volcanic landscape.
Above the falls, an open grassy plain stretches toward the Lal Lal Falls Reserve, where visitors will find picnic tables, toilets, and interpretive signage to guide their exploration. With the sound of cascading water echoing across the reserve, it’s a perfect spot to pause, reflect, and recharge on the way back to Melbourne.
Lal Lal Wind Farm located near Ballarat is a striking example of renewable energy in action. Spanning two distinct sites roughly 9 kilometres apart, the farm features around
60 giant wind turbines, each harnessing the power of the region’s steady winds.
Set against the rolling landscape, these sleek giants offer a dramatic photo opportunity
Links to sites: Sovereign Hill, Ballarat Wildlife Park, Botanical Gardens, Tramway Museum, Eureka Stockade, Prisoner of War memorial, Ballarat BIRD WORLD.
CONVENIENT PICKUP LOCATIONS
9:00am 1st Pickup - ST KILDA -bus stop at the side of McDonald's St Kilda on Ackland St (carpark side)
9:15am 2nd Pickup - PORT MELB - Bay St cnr Liardet St, Bus stop in front of Coles supermarket.
9:35am 3rd Pickup - FEDERATION SQUARE - Cnr Flinders & Russell Streets Bus pickup zone.
9:45am 4th Pickup- bus stop at 361 QUEEN Street cnr A'Beckett St (Queen Victoria Market end)
10:00am 5th Pickup - FOOTSCRAY STATION South entrance Cnr Hyde & Bunbury Streets.
Shuttle bus leaves Ballarat back to Melbourne at 3:30pm (approx)
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