Garden events, tours and attractions

When: 2nd and 4th Saturday of the Month 
Where: Zoo Drive, Lake Wendouree (Windmill Drive in winter)
Time: 9am–1pm

The markets operate on the Second and Fourth Saturdays of each month and feature the same management & core stallholders. (In the Winter months, we shift to Windmill Drive, about 400m south of our regular location. Windmill Drive is fully paved and a much more suitable venue for the wet, cold months!)

For further information visit Ballarat Farmers Market

When: March Long Weekend 
Where: Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree

Established in 1953, the Ballarat Begonia Festival is a unique horticultural event centred around our world-renowned rare collection of Begonias. Each year the City of Ballarat’s horticultural team grows and nurtures thousands of begonias to showcase during the annual event held in the Botanical Gardens in March. The Begonia Festival represents an authentic part of Ballarat’s story and is one of Ballarat’s largest events drawing thousands of visitors to the city. 

For further information visit ballaratbegoniafestival.com

When: Every Sunday in January 
Where: Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree
Time: 4-8pm

Spend Sunday afternoons soaking up the sun in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, with live music – featuring household names and emerging talent – food trucks and a pop-up Garden Bar.

For further information visit summersundaysballarat.com.au

Murrup Laarr

Murrup Laarr translates as ‘Ancestral Stones’ in Wadawarrung. This artwork was installed in the North Gardens Indigenous Sculpture Park by Dr Deanne Gilson, a Wadawarrung Traditional Custodian and established artist. Murrup Laarr is a contemporary artwork consisting of a traditionally built stone hut in the middle of a circle of basalt standing stones, marked with ceramic plates reflecting the stories and symbols of dreaming, memory, ceremony. 

Wetlands

The North Garden Wetlands are man-made wetlands built in 2001, with the purpose to assist purification of storm water before it enters Lake Wendouree. This more natural looking area is considered a sanctuary for nature lovers, providing habitat for local fauna and flora, and is a popular location for viewing birds and rakali.  

Pedestrian access to the Wetlands is available from Gregory Street, Wendouree Parade, or Zoo Drive in the North Gardens Reserve.

POW Memorial

The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial was opened on 6 February, 2004 to recognise and honour the 36,000 Australians who became Prisoners of War during the Wars of the 20th century.

Designed by local sculptor Peter Blizzard, the Memorial is a place of quiet reflection to remember loved ones and to mourn the 8,600 Prisoners of War whose lives were lost in captivity and remain buried on foreign shores.

The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial is located in the South Gardens on the corner of Wendouree Parade and Carlton Street, Ballarat. Free and always open.

Visit Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial for more information.

Ballarat Tramway Museum

The Ballarat Tramway Museum preserves the tramway experience that existed on the streets of Ballarat between 1887 and 1971.

The tram depot located at the south end of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, is home to a tramcar collection, a museum display with photographs, videos, tramway memorabilia, trammie stories, souvenirs and book shop.

The Ballarat Tramway Museum also operate the trams that travel along Wendouree Parade most weekends and Victorian School Holidays. Popular with families and visitors to Ballarat, the tram uses authentic methods of operation including conductors in traditional uniform.

Visit Ballarat Tramway Museum for more information.

Ballarat Fish Hatchery

The Ballarat Fish Hatchery is the oldest fish hatchery on mainland Australia. Managed by the volunteers of the Ballarat Fish Acclimatisation Society since 1870, the Ballarat Fish Hatchery is a popular place to visit. Located on the Gillies Street side of the South Gardens is open to the public for tours and restocking fish can be purchased.

Visit Ballarat Fish Hatchery for more information.

Lake Wendouree

Situated in the heart of Ballarat, Lake Wendouree is one of Ballarat's most popular attractions.

Lake Wendouree plays host to a wide range of attractions and recreational activities including the six kilometre Steve Moneghetti walking, running and cycling track, rowing, kayaking, sailing, yachting, canoeing, fishing, bird watching and much more.

It's also home to a number of play spaces and excellent picnic and BBQ facilities.

Playgrounds

There are four play spaces on the foreshore of Lake Wendouree. The closest play space to the Botanical Gardens, and the largest, is the Adventure Playground located opposite the South Gardens. A liberty swing is available and close by is the indigenous themed play space for younger children. Both play spaces are surrounded by BBQ, picnic and toilet facilities.