Dowling Forest Raceway has a long and proud place in Ballarat's sporting identity, and its harness racing meetings remain a genuine community occasion for locals and visitors alike.
When September arrives and the AFL finals begin, Ballarat comes alive with footy fever, and there are plenty of great spots around the city to soak up every moment together.
The forests and bush trails surrounding Ballarat make the city one of central Victoria's most rewarding destinations for mountain bikers and gravel riders of every level.
Ballarat's swimming community is welcoming and well-resourced, with competitive clubs, development squads and quality indoor pools serving swimmers of all ages.
Whether you want to follow the Western Bulldogs, the Ballarat Miners or the grassroots BFNL, here is how to catch every game from Ballarat without missing a moment.
Ballarat is one of Australia's great cycling cities, home to world-class courses, active clubs and the prestigious Australian Road National Championships each January.
From tiny tots running their first straight at Llanberris Reserve to masters athletes competing at state level, Ballarat's athletics community is active, welcoming and well-organised.
Fast, social and open to all fitness levels, touch football is one of Ballarat's most accessible team sports, with competitions running through multiple seasons each year.
Netball is one of Ballarat's most popular team sports, with a strong local association, thriving junior competitions and senior leagues running throughout the year.
Ballarat's bowling clubs are among the city's friendliest sporting institutions, offering something for everyone from first-time rollers to seasoned pennant competitors.
Ballarat's sporting community is committed to inclusion, with programmes across football, athletics, swimming and more welcoming participants of every ability.
Ballarat is one of Victoria's great football cities, and getting your child started in junior AFL through the Ballarat Football Netball League is straightforward and enormously rewarding.
Lake Wendouree hosted rowing at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and remains one of Australia's finest flatwater venues, with active clubs welcoming newcomers of all ages.
The Ballarat Sports and Events Centre and its centrepiece Selkirk Stadium offer world-class indoor sport right in the city, and they are well worth exploring.
