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.
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.
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.
Things to do
Gold City and Wildlife Day Trip in Ballarat and Sovereign Hill
Ballarat Gold Fields - Sovereign Hill & Winery Tour
Top hotels in Magpie
Quest Ballarat Station
I really enjoyed my stay and I will be coming back
Reviewed on 14 Mar 2026
Mid City Ballarat
Terrible smell in room, staff rude especially the receptionist they do sneaky things and don't and don't inform you about extra charges
Reviewed on 21 Mar 2026
RACV Goldfields Resort
Clean and spacious rooms, staff was amazing throughout my visit.
Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026
The Provincial Boutique Hotel
Great hotel with charm
Reviewed on 18 Mar 2026
Main Lead Ballarat Motel
Not so clean I saw spider web at the corners and some black worm at my room but bed was clean. It was not kitchenette and I ask for knife and spoon. Pool wan not so pleasing to use.
Reviewed on 22 Mar 2026
Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre
Overall very good, food in restaurant was fantastic
Reviewed on 21 Mar 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 Mount Buninyong Scenic Reserve.
Buninyong
If you're spending some time in Buninyong, Mount Buninyong Scenic Reserve and Union Jack Education Area 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.
