Makers
Breathing a new, artful, life into Ballarat with the Bromleys
Speaking with multidisciplinary creative duo, David & Yuge Bromley, about what they’ve already achieved in Ballarat in such a short time, and what they’ve still got in store, you can’t help but get swept away with the excitement for what this might mean for the town’s next revolution.
Wootten – the art of leather-crafting
The art of leather-crafting has been embedded in Ballarat’s cultural history since the gold-rush. The mid-19th century brought with it an unprecedented creative movement, and leathercrafting was just one of the trades that took pride of place amongst the likes of blacksmithing, wheelwrighting, and woodsmithing. So it really came as no surprise that former Prahran resident Jess Cameron-Wootten and his partner Krystina Menegazzo decided to relocate their business Wootten to Ballarat.
A weekend of woodwork with Green Woodsmith
Enter Paul Ryle’s workshop and suddenly you are transported back centuries to a slower-paced time, of muscle powered tools and the ethos that anything worth doing is worth doing well. Welcome to the world of the woodsmith.
Reviving Ballarat’s rich distillery heritage
Ballarat has a long and storied history when it comes to distilling spirits, tracing back to 1864 with Warrenheip Distillery, the only whisky distillery in Victoria for many decades. Now over 150 years later, the tradition lives on in Ballarat’s newest distillery, Kilderkin.
The black gold rush will wait for no one
Put on your gumboots, don your winter woollies then prepare to rush forth in search of Ballarat’s black gold – otherwise known as the truffle.
Stay & Play
Plate Up
Now in its second year, the month-long festival will showcase the region’s best growers, producers, chefs, restaurants and cafes this May 1 to 31. The festival’s line-up of more than 50 events will feature lunches and dinners, workshops, markets, food trucks, high teas, fashion, live music, competitions, and guided beer, wine, whisky and gin tastings.
LEARN MOREThe Provincial Hotel
A new luxury boutique hotel and restaurant offering has re-opened the doors of one of Ballarat’s most iconic heritage buildings. The boutique hotel and restaurant provides luxury, timeless beauty and quality nestled within regional Victoria’s western highlands.
LEARN MORETHE LOST ONES GALLERY AND BAR
Enter the ominous walls of a 19th century Masonic Lodge and wander through Ballarat’s contemporary art space The Lost Ones. Venture further below to the speakeasy-like basement bar and delight in tapas, wine and spirits as you while the evening away to a tune or two.
LEARN MORE