Weekend Getaways from Ballarat: Daylesford, the Grampians and Goldfields Country

Ballarat's central western Victorian location places it within easy reach of several outstanding regional destinations. Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, 45 minutes northeast via the Midland Highway, is Victoria's premier mineral springs and spa destination with the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, day spa operations and a sophisticated village food and arts scene. Castlemaine, 75 minutes north, is a vibrant creative hub with the Castlemaine Art Museum and a significant independent arts community. The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, 2 hours northwest, is one of Victoria's most dramatic landscapes with sandstone ranges, wildflowers and Aboriginal cultural sites at Brambuk Cultural Centre. The Pyrenees wine region between Ballarat and Stawell produces Shiraz and Cabernet of national recognition from volcanic soils at altitude. Skipton and the Western Plains have open volcanic landscape and lakes for birdwatching. The Great Ocean Road is 2 hours south, accessible via Colac, with the Twelve Apostles at Port Campbell and the rainforest coast of the Otway Ranges between Lorne and Apollo Bay. The Ballarat Wildlife Park on York Street provides Australian native animal encounters within the city.