My partner Lynda and I were pretty much forced into making a move from Melbourne a year ago due to the ridiculous rents that are being pillaged by landlords currently.
Having just been eligible for my Super, we made what has probably been the best decision we ever have, that of buying a 1930’s cottage, five minutes-walk to the centre of Ballarat.
That was a year ago this week so we will celebrate by having dinner at our local pub, The Grapes, tomorrow night.
This got me thinking about some of our favourite spots in Ballarat if ever one decides to pay a visit. It’s only a snapshot over twelve months but I hope it provides a taste of this great regional city.
1. The Grapes – We are both non-drinkers these days but we will always head to The Grapes for the occasional dinner. It’s pretty simple…Public Bar and Lounge. Built in 1858 you’ll be greeted by mine host Matt and his friendly crew before dining out on beautiful local produce. 121 Grant St, Golden Point.
2. The East Quarter – Like the pubs, there are lots of excellent coffee places for Melbourne snobs like us but my favourite is inside a fairly non-descript building owned by a lovely Columbian man named Hector and his sister Natalie who bakes amazing Columbian snacks. Hector has been in Ballarat for five years or so and makes superb coffee as well as being a wonderful conversationalist. The queue is long between 8am and 11am so I recommend before or after so you can have some chat time with the perpetually smiling Hector. 10 Eastwood St, Ballarat Central.
3. The Yacht Club – Sitting on the stunning Lake Wendouree, I love this place because not only is the food good and the milkshakes the best in the world, but the service is always bright and professional. It’s a popular place for Support Workers like myself to take clients as the staff are kind and engaging. Always busy and best to book. Wendouree Parade, Ballarat
4. The Bridge Mall – Now most locals throw their hands in the air whenever this little precinct is mentioned and I don’t blame them. However I do want to mention a few businesses here because of firstly their stamina and patience and secondly their incredible level of customer service. If you’re not a local you’ll be unaware that this reconstruction of what was a fading section of the city has taken longer than the Pyramids to complete. I can’t believe the shop owners have been able to survive, and some haven’t. I can only imagine that it’s because of the impeccable service of the following stores. Faulls Shoes, Wen & Ware Gifts and Café and Messer & Opie. If you are ever in town, go check out these Ballarat institutions and masters of customer service. They are extraordinary.
5. The Ballarat Aquatic Centre – Everything you need to keep the blood flowing. 50m pool, 25m pool, rehab pools, gym, classes, steam room and spa. $7.60 a session for the lot if you’re a senior. Brilliant and so are the staff. Prince of Wales Recreation Reserve, Gillies St North, Lake Gardens
6. Mt Buninyong – Approximately fifteen minutes from Ballarat is the charming town of Buninyong and the large hill that sits behind it. Mt Buninyong is very visible on a clear day if you’re wandering around Ballarat, and whether you drive up it, ride or hike, the views are very much worth it. There is also an extinct volcano up there you can check out. Mt Buninyong Rd, Buninyong.
7. Yarowee River Walk – Part of this trail runs adjacent to our house so it’s a popular one with us. We generally follow it to a place called the Yullies Wetlands where we tend to feed the ducks and Purple Hens some bread. It’s probably a ninety minute return walk through native bushland which is situated very close to the old gold diggings. If you’re game, the entire Yarowee River walk is forty three km, but for the time being we will stick to within the Ballarat perimeters thanks very much.
8. The Regent and Her Majesty’s Theatres – The closing of the Regent last month was devastating for us as we would see movies there almost weekly. It’s truly one of the most superb examples of art deco architecture imaginable but unfortunately it was running at a loss due to poor patronage. The good news is that there are rumours that someone with some vision may purchase it soon. Her Majesty’s is the oldest theatre on mainland Australia, beaten only in age by Hobart’s Theatre Royal. Her Majesty’s has been under renovations for as long as we’ve been here so all the bigger shows that have played in Ballarat have been moved to Civic Hall in the interim. We can’t wait to see the competed reno in November this year. Both theatres are located in the iconic Lydiard St, Ballarat.
9. The Ballarat Art Gallery – Bendigo would argue the point, but for mine, this is the best regional art gallery perhaps in Australia. They consistently have major showings and their permanent stuff is worth seeing no matter how many times you visit. It’s beauty is supported by the building itself which was built in 1884 and is grand. Everything about this place is calming and the staff are so friendly. Another gem on Lydiard St. (40)
10. Eureka Pizza and Bistro – Ballarat is becoming a real hotspot for fine dining. Be that as it may, give me a bog standard spaghetti marinara and I’m like a dog with two tails! Lots of places are called Eureka in Ballarat…vets, car washes, drycleaners, souvlaki joints, but there’s only one for me. Always good quality and value. Much like Sofia’s in Melbourne, without having to take a doggy bag home with you. A staple of the town since 1971. 314/316 Sturt St, Ballarat.
11. Trees, Gardens and Architecture – I’ve had to round these up into one because when you drive around Ballarat this is mostly what I see and they set the tone for this unique country city. Hats off to the gardeners of Ballarat. If you drive in from Melbourne you will quickly see immaculate garden beds and lawn shaved to look like the MCG, then go check out the amazing trees everywhere you look, especially around Lake Wendouree, The Botanic Gardens and the sprawling Victoria Gardens. Then there’s the houses. From the older majestic homes near The Lake to areas close to town like Redan and Brown Hill that contain street after street of colonial homes, I never get sick of driving around this city.
12. Bookshops – There are a plethora of excellent bookshops in Ballarat for both new and second hand. We are big on second hand so my recommendation is for two very different shops. The first one is called The Known World Bookshop in 28 Main Rd, Ballarat. The lady whose name escapes me is quite eccentric and her shop has some of the most incredible and rare books I’ve ever seen. The shop itself is almost Dickensian and could have come straight out of a 1800’s London backstreet. Definitely worth a look. But my favourite is Everybody Knows Books, 10 Sturt St, Ballarat. Owners Marion and John have just celebrated their shop’s third anniversary and this is as good a second hand bookshop as you could find anywhere. It helps when the owners have an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of books and have twenty two thousand of them on-line for sale also. They’ll even make you a coffee if you’re nice and definitely will if you barrack for Carlton.
Of course the other advantage of living in Ballarat is the train which takes an hour and fifteen to get to Southern Cross so we can still get to shows and to Marvel to witness the appalling state of affairs that is the St Kilda Football Club.
Hope to see you in ‘The Rat’ some-day.