Car Rental Ballarat Downtown

Ballarat sits just short of an hour and a half’s drive from Melbourne. It is located north in the centre of what once was Victoria’s goldfields. The history of Ballarat is the history of Australian democracy - it was the site of the Eureka Rebellion, where gold miners from Ballarat rebelled against the authority of the United Kingdom, one of the few battles ever fought on Australian soil between Australian rebels and British soldiers. Due to its influx of gold and wealth, Ballarat became a thriving 1800s colonial boomtown. The Architecture of Ballarat has resulted from this wealth, with many of the buildings making up Ballarat built during this time. A great way to spend an afternoon is to travel around Ballarat in your rental car and see all the old buildings; Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Ballarat Railway Station, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Lydiard Street are within driving distance of the Ballarat CBD.

Experience the taste of the region's craft beer and award-winning wineries. The top wines of the region being pinot noir, chardonnay and a variety of sparkling wines. One particular winery and vineyard in the area is the Michael Unwin Wines Estate, just 14-minutes outside central Ballarat in Windermere. A fun activity offered is the ‘Fill your own’ where guests can bring along and fill their own bottles. Barrel topping, labelling and bottling are also available, and of course, tasting. If you’re heading to one of the local wineries, please ensure you have a designated driver. 

Galleries, Gardens and Goannas in Your Car Hire

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is the oldest regional gallery in Australia. Located in the Ballarat CBD, the gallery has an incredible collection of local, Australian and international artworks. The gallery offers free guided tours every day, run by voluntary gallery guides who are filled with enthusiasm and knowledge. The Backspace Exhibition showcases artists from around the region, often giving artists their first exhibitions in a professional gallery. Located on Lydiard Street, the heritage-listed building is surrounded by other heritage buildings and makes for part of a great tour.

The Ballarat Botanical Gardens are located 4 kilometres or a 7-minute drive from the Ballarat CBD. The 40-hectare garden sits on the banks of Lake Wendouree. Filled with mature trees and marble statues, the park offers a serene walking experience. The Sensory Garden is designed to evoke responses from sight, sound, smell and touch. 

Located just a short drive from the Ballarat CBD is the Ballarat Wildlife Park. See live feedings of crocodiles and other native Australian animals such as kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, wedge-tailed eagles and much more. The park is even home to a Sumatran tiger named Satu, raised at Australia Zoo. One on one interactions with certain animals are available with private bookings; pat a koala or a wombat and take a photo to commemorate the furry interaction. 

Drive to Sovereign Hill in Your Rental Car

No trip to Ballarat is complete without experiencing Sovereign Hill, a 5-minute drive from central Ballarat. Step back in time to the days of the Victorian gold rush in the mid-1800s. This outdoor museum brings to life that period in a living, breathing town. Experience diggings, mines, costumed characters, shops, trades, schools and homes. You can even pan for gold yourself. Maybe it will be your lucky day? 

Sovereign Hill is full of interactive exhibits demonstrating the past, from blacksmithing to confectionary making, all the way to printing and musket-firing. It is a full day's experience, and over 450,000 people a year travel to Sovereign Hill to experience the attraction.

Ballarat and the surrounding region are filled with cultural, natural and modern experiences to explore in your rental car, so start planning your regional Victorian trip today.