 Attractions
Ballarat Fine Art Gallery: Victoria's first provincial art gallery (established 1884) and one of its finest, in an 1887 neoclassical building. The collection includes early views of Ballarat by S T Gill and Eugene von Guerard and works by members of the famous Lindsay family. The original and tattered Eureka flag hangs here.
Botanic Gardens & Adam Lindsay Gordon Cottage: The gardens are notable for a fine collection of 19th century statuary donated by Scottish mining magnate T Stoddart in 1882. Beneath a tall stringy bark is Adam Lindsay Gordon's neat timber cottage.
Craig's Royal Hotel: Marvellous Italianate structure, begun by Walter Craig in 1859 on the site of Ballarat's first hotel, with colonnaded verandahs, an iron and lacework portico and garlanded wreaths, and ornate gas lamps on the footpath. The magnificent bar and beautifully turned woodwork of the staircase are especially noteworthy. There is an elegant restaurant, and accommodation is available.
Montrose Cottage & Eureka Military Museum: One of the first masonry cottages (1856) on the gold fields, montrose is a modest building of bluestone and hand-made bricks, built by Scottish stonemason John Alexander. Nest door is the Eureka Military Museum with military and gold fields relics. Open weekends, school holiday's and Easter. Inquires 053 32 2554.
Old Curiosity Shop: Curiour indeed, this cottage was built in the 1850's by Cornish bricklayer J Warwick from bricks made by hand from local clay, using powdered African shells for mortar. It is embellished with a mosaic of coloured glass, dolls' heads, crockery chips and assorted armaments. Open daily. Inquiries 053 32 3266.
Sovereign Hill: A meticulously researched and most entertaining reconstruction of an 1850s gold town on the site of the old Sovereign Quartz Mining Company. Walk along the winding streets, or take a jerky ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Stop for a meal in the New York Bakery before embarking on a tour of the mine shafts or panning for gold. Inspect the myriad potions in the apothecary, enjoy a vaudeville show and watch the presses at work in the Ballarat Times office. open daily. Inquiries 053 31 1944.
Statuary Pavilion: Delightful prefabricated garden pavilion (1887) of timber and iron, with glass walls, domed roof and octagonal lantern, erected to house statues donated by Scottish mining magnate J R Thompson. The centrepiece is the beautiful Italian marble Flight from Pompeii by G Benzori.
Tower Hill State Game Reserve: After many years of deforestation this ancient crater of 614 hectares now has a ring road you can drive around and observe the many wildlife being reintroduced to the area along with natural bush regeneration. See emus, koalas, kangaroos, sugar gliders and peregrine falcons.
The Twelve Apostles: These rock formations are huge stone pillars that soar out of the water amongst the crashing waves of the coast.
London Bridge: This bridge-like promontory arching across a furious sea collapsed into the sea in 1990 leaving some amazed tourist stranded at the outer end.
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum: What once used to be the sight of gun emplacements now houses a museum, restored sailing ships, maritime films and port buildings.
|