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#VISITBALLARAT

The new kids on the block

Visit Ballarat

31 May 2021

Filed underSee & Do

We might be smack-bang in the middle of a pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped our wiz-bang local entrepreneurs starting some very cool new ventures in Ballarat. 

From a new cocktail bar and micro-brewery, to self-contained accommodation and airstream cider bar, there’s plenty to look forward to when you’re in town next.

Renard (French, Re•Nar — ‘Fox’)

This self-titled bistro-esque discotheque is Ballarat’s newest cocktail bar and social club. Made for pre and post-dinner drinks, this new Mair Street venue also serves small snackable dishes to pick at, such as Meredith’s goat cheese doughnuts and truffled honey, oysters with green mignonette and, fried Jerusalem artichoke with miso cream.

Clothesline Cafe

Wondering what could have inspired the name of Ballarat’s newest cafe? Well it is quite literally the good ol’ hills hoist – and it’s so worth checking out! Sitting pretty in a beautifully renovated heritage home, the team behind this new venture have perfectly married a seriously impressive menu with a just as impressive renovation.

Battista

Ballarat has a unique new accommodation offering – a former Baptist church which underwent a major renovation on ABC Australia’s Restoration Australia last year. Built in the 1860s, the Dawson Street church has also served as a restaurant and nightclub in its time.
It is now a grand home with a one-bedroom apartment which can be rented through Airbnb.

Grandad’s Sweater

New to Ballarat’s vintage shopping scene is Grandad’s Sweater. Led by a team who specialise in buying and reselling high-quality vintage clothing, your next one-of-a-kind statement piece is closer than you might think.

Bankhouse Brewery

Located on the side of the main thoroughfare through Dean (a short 20- minute drive from Ballarat), this micro-brewery and cellar door – which has been converted from an old bankhouse – might just be Australia’s smallest brewery.

Little Sid at Cafe Sidra

A big cheers to Café Sidra for bringing us this very cool cider bar IN AN AIRSTREAM! So, not only will you get to taste damn good locally-made cider, but you can do it while snapping a photo in front of this new edition to the café’s courtyard.

Honey Bun, the baby golden wombat

Let us introduce you to Honey Bun, the newest edition to the Ballarat Wildlife Park’s wombat colony. Her striking gold coat, which is a rare gene in Southern Hairy-Nosed golden wombats, is earning her lots of attention.

The Green House

Housed in a historic warehouse, this indoor plant store has become a favourite weekend destination for locals. Even more so with the opening of their new café and regular workshops, including make your own clay planter and macrame wall hanger sessions, and mosaic plate making.



Across Victoria’s Midwest, we acknowledge that we travel across the ancient landscapes of many First Peoples communities.

These lands have been nurtured and cared for over tens of thousands of years and we respect the work of Traditional Custodians for their ongoing care and protection.

We recognise the past injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country. As our knowledge grows, we hope that we can learn from their resilience and creativity that has guided them for over 60,000 years.

As we invite people to visit and explore Victoria’s Midwest, we ask that alongside us, you also grow to respect the stories, living culture and connection to Country of the Ancestors and Elders of our First Peoples.