There are few places in Victoria with more history and heritage to celebrate than Ballarat and the
Ballarat Heritage Festival 2021 promises to do that in style.
To be held from Friday 7th May to Sunday 30th May, the festival will provide unprecedented access for visitors to participate in more than 80 events, exhibitions, shows and tours celebrating the cities rich and complex history.
The Mining Exchange in Lydiard Street is a Ballarat focal point. Photo: Copyright Ian Gill / Footloose Media
Take the time to attend exhibitions, including the Restoration Ballarat Showcase, the Anson Aviation and Ballarat Aviation Museums, a Craft Lab and Design Expo or the Heritage of the Lake Exhibition.
There'll be great entertainment in the form of shows like the Red Mill Revue, a Faulty Towers Dinner Show, a Vintage Car Show and the not to be missed 2021 Victorian Pinup Pageant.
A host of historical tours include walking tours of the World War 1 and Chinese sections of Ballarat New Cemetery, an Old Gaol Tour & Exhibition, Ballarat Foto Tours and, for a fee of $25, a Mount Mitchell Estate tour complete with morning or afternoon tea.
Ballarat's history and heritage is reflected in its goldrush roots. Photo: Copyright Ian Gill / Footloose Media
Presented by the City of Ballarat the 2021 Heritage Festival is a magnificent opportunity to tour this iconic gold rush city, experience its expansive history and eat & drink at any number of venues that combine to create Ballarat's unique wining and dining scene.
The Sovereign Hill poppet head is just one of many goldrush landmarks that dot the Ballarat city skyline. Photo: Copyright Ian Gill / Footloose Media
The cost of entry varies but many events are FREE and others require just a gold coin donation but with far too many events to show here in detail, you'll need to go to the website
www.ballaratheritagefestival.com.au for the full list of events, costs if appropriate and bookings where necessary.
Ballarat Town Hall circa 1870 .....
..... and the Trades Hall Building circa 1887 reflect both Ballarat's wealth and its working class heritage. Photos: Copyright Ian Gill / Footloose Media
Ballarat is 116-Kilometres northwest of Melbourne, about a 1-hour 40-minute drive via the Western Freeway. Alternatively
V-Line run regular fast rail services between Melbourne (Southern Cross) and Ballarat.
