Makers
Setting a New York standard in the Ballarat culinary scene
One chef. Twelve Seats. More courses than you can count. Friday and Saturday night only. Booking months in advance. This is Ballarat’s newest and most progressive hatted degustation restaurant, Underbar, by Chef and Owner, Derek Boath, fresh from New York’s three Michellin Star, Per Se.
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.
A hot chocolate as complex as a fine wine
“Deep and powerful, with delightful hints of plum, dried cherry and sun-dried muscatels. It finishes off with an amazing textural resonance on the tongue and in the mouth that echoes delightfully for an age.” These are the words of Craig McKenzie, describing his drinking cocoa.
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.
Follow the umbrellas to a haven of local hops
It was about five years ago when Brian, colloquially known as BT around the traps, started thinking about a concept that would take Ballarat to new heights and demonstrate exactly why the city was a hotspot for good brews.
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.
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