Magpie Travel Guide
Ballarat
Popular places to visit
Sovereign Hill
Strike gold at this open-air museum, which tells the story of Ballarat’s first decade as a gold rush town with recreated buildings, goldmine tours and workshops.
Lake Wendouree
Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Lake Wendouree during your travels in Ballarat. Amble around the area's lakeside or experience its museums.
Ballarat Town Hall
Ballarat Town Hall is just one of the places to see in Ballarat, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander around the gardens or experience the area's art scene.
Art Gallery of Ballarat
Follow the history of Australian art from colonial to contemporary when you peruse the collection of Australia’s biggest and oldest regional art gallery.
Gold Museum
Find out about the treasured metal that enticed thousands of prospectors to find their fortune in the gold rush of the mid 19th century at this intriguing museum.
St Patrick's Cathedral
You can find out about the history of Ballarat with a trip to St Patrick's Cathedral. Stroll along the lakeside or experience the area's art scene.
Top hotels in Magpie
Quest Ballarat Station
Very clean rooms the staff were friendly and cheerful. 10/10 Highly recommended.
Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026
Mid City Ballarat
Room was very old and dated, mattress cover was filthy, air vent in shower and fire sprinkler heads were covered in dirt and dust. The blinds do not block out much light at all. The air cons on the wall had black dirt marks all over them. There’s not even charger points up near the bed side tables, ...
Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026
RACV Goldfields Resort
Nice setting!
Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026
Quest Ballarat
Had a wonderful stay at quest Ballarat. Clean room, very spacious. Quiet! Staff were very friendly and informative. Thank you!!!!
Reviewed on 11 Feb 2026
Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre
The room was clean
Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026
The Provincial Boutique Hotel
The room was clean and had everything we needed, albeit on the smaller size, but no great issue for us in that regards. However, we weren’t all that happy with the number of steps, in particular at the entry to our room and into the bathroom. These presented as tripping hazards for us and required ...
Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Magpie
Mount Helen
While Mount Helen may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Ballarat Bird World and Sovereign Hill.
Buninyong
If you're spending some time in Buninyong, Mount Buninyong Scenic Reserve and Buninyong H18 Bushland Reserve are top sights worth seeing.
Sebastopol
The spas and theatres are just a few features travellers like about Sebastopol. If you want to do some sightseeing nearby, Gold Museum and Sovereign Hill are a few top places to visit.
Mount Clear
Mount Clear is well liked for its museums. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Ballarat area, you might plan a trip to Lake Esmond or Sovereign Hill.
Mount Pleasant
While Mount Pleasant isn't home to many top sights, Gold Museum and Sovereign Hill are some notable places to visit nearby.
Canadian
Travellers like the parks in Canadian, and Lake Esmond is a top attraction you might want to visit.
