Day Trips from Ballarat: Goldfields, Wineries and the Great Ocean Road

Ballarat's central position in Victoria makes it an excellent base for day trips across the goldfields and beyond. Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, about 45 minutes to the northeast, are Victoria's spa and wellness destination, with mineral springs, bathhouses and a strong food and accommodation scene. Bendigo, another major goldfields city, is about an hour and 40 minutes northeast and offers its own excellent art gallery, heritage buildings and the Central Deborah Gold Mine. The Great Ocean Road is approximately two hours south via Colac, making a long day trip feasible for those wanting to see the Twelve Apostles. The Grampians National Park is around 90 minutes west, with sandstone ranges, wildflowers and Aboriginal rock art.