Planning a staycation this Easter or looking for things to do to entertain your visitors? There's plenty hoppening (sorry, we couldn't resist) to keep everyone happy.
WHAT’S ON
The Easter Bunny has a special delivery for Ballarat this autumn.
From 31 March-16 April, a colourful display of giant Easter eggs and neon lights will pop up in the Sturt Street Gardens.
This Insta-worthy activation will feature 18 larger-than-life eggs, plus 18 neon installations by acclaimed visual artist Carla O’Brien.
Think neon bunnies, Easter eggs and more.
But the Easter fun doesn’t stop there, with:
- the return of Kryal Castle‘s popular Unicorn Festival from 7-23 April
- the Ballarat Wildlife Park's Easter Hunt with a difference (7-9 April), designed to promote animal conservation and palm oil-free products. Using clues, kids must locate the names of some of the park's incredible animals to win a free treat
- a bumper A-League match between Western United and Central Coast Mariners at Mars Stadium on Friday 7 April from 3pm
- the Power FM Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday 8 April from 9am at Alfred Deakin Place, with age-specific sessions, free art activities with the Art Gallery of Ballarat, a roving magician, food trucks, a visit from the Easter Bunny plus Power FM broadcasting live
- Easter fun at the Bridge Mall on Easter Saturday from 10am-1pm, including live music, craft activities, jumping castle, the Easter Bunny with lots of Darrell Lea chocolate plus go for a ride on James the fire engine
- Junior Keeper sessions at the Ballarat Wildlife Park on Saturday 8 April and Sunday 9 April at 10am
- Easter Saturday fun at Central Square Ballarat, where you can meet the Easter Bunny and score free Easter gifts for the kids between midday and 3pm
- the family-friendly Hop Temple Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, part of the Blues, Brews & BBQ line-up
- festivities at Newlyn’s Maze House on Easter Sunday, with Easter eggs for those who complete the maze hunt plus old time carnival games dotted throughout the garden
- the Pyrenees Easter Hunt Competition. Visit the Pyrenees region and scan the QR codes at participating cafes, cellar doors, restaurants and retail outlets for your chance to win a $1000 Pyrenees holiday. Details at visitpyrenees.com.au
THINGS TO SEE & DO
Take advantage of Ballarat's incredible attractions and explore Sovereign Hill, the Ballarat Wildlife Park, Kryal Castle, Eureka Centre, Art Gallery of Ballarat and/or Creswick Woollen Mills.
Did you know you can book tickets to multiple attractions in the one spot with The Ballarat Pass? Be sure to check it out.
Other things to see and do in Ballarat over the Easter long weekend include:
- a visit to Lake Wendouree and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. And don't forget to check out the Robert Clark Conservatory's stunning display of begonias, on show until Sunday 16 April
- a stroll around the Ballarat Farmers Market at North Gardens on Saturday 8 April from 9am until 1pm
- a family walk or ride at Woowookarung Regional Park
- a fun-filled expedition to the state-of-the-art, multi-level indoor playground Chipmunks Ballarat (open Easter Saturday and Easter Monday 10am-3pm)
- nature, sightseeing and heritage tours with Golden Nugget Discovery Tours (closed Good Friday)
- real-life history lessons at the Arch of Victory, Avenue of Honour and Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
- old school fun at the Lake Wendouree Adventure Playground, Victoria Park Inclusive Play Space and the Eureka Stockade Gardens Playground
- trout fishing at Smeaton’s Tuki Trout Farm
- a day out surrounded by native Australian bird life at Ballarat Bird World
- a family battle at Ballarat Indoor Go Karts, Laserforce and Entertainment Centre
FOOD & DRINK
Take the stress out of meal times with these family-friendly dining options:
Cafes and casual eats
- 1816 Bakehouse (18 Armstrong Street North)
- The Pancake Kitchen (2 Grenville Street South)
- Lilly’s at Eureka Centre (102 Stawell Street South)
- Griller’s Mark (58 Lydiard Street North)
- The Turret Cafe (802 Sturt Street)
- Grill’d (37 Sturt Street)
- Il Piccolo Gelato (217 Sturt Street)
- Hideaway Coffee Bar (69 Water Street – closed Easter Monday)
- P. Frangos & Sons (313 Sturt Street – closed Easter Sunday)
Restaurants
- Golden Point Hotel (639 Main Road)
- Carboni’s (152 Eureka Street)
- Robin Hood Hotel (33 Peel Street North)
- Lake View Hotel (22 Wendouree Parade)
- Soldiers Woodfired Pizza (451 Doveton Street North)
- Oscars Hotel and Cafe (18 Doveton Street South)
- Bunch of Grapes Hotel (401 Pleasant Street South)
- Boatshed Restaurant (27 Wendouree Parade)
- The Red Lion Hotel (217-229 Main Road)
- Roy Hammond (24-28 Armstrong Street North)
- The Western Hotel (1221 Sturt Street)
- The Forge Pizzeria (14 Armstrong Street North – closed Good Friday)
- Hop Temple (rear of 24-28 Armstrong Street North – closed Good Friday and Easter Monday)
- Aunty Jacks (315-317 Mair Street – closed Good Friday and Easter Monday)
EASTER TREATS
Celebrate Easter with these special treats from some of our favourite Ballarat cafes and restaurants:
- The Little Cupcake‘s Easter cupcakes and bikkies (open Easter Saturday)
- Sovereign Hill‘s raspberry drop Easter eggs and rabbits
- Lucky and James‘ hot cross bun chocolate featuring candied orange, sultanas and currants coated in a special blend of hot cross bun spices and folded through either milk or dark chocolate
- Easter-themed cakes and slices at Lilly’s at Eureka Centre
- Vegas & Rose's bunny bark in two delicious flavours – white Belgium chocolate with organic roasted hazelnuts, pistachios and edible cornflowers; or milk Belgium chocolate with freeze dried raspberries
- The Forge Pizzeria's Caramello dessert pizza (Nutella base with Caramello easter eggs, vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce) and hot cross bun tiramisu (housemade tiramisu layered with 1816 Bakehouse hot cross buns and soaked in Grounded Pleasures spiced chai and masala wine)
- For the adults from 1-11 April, The Turret Cafe‘s mulled wine hot chocolate (Easter spiced mulled wine with Grounded Pleasures’ Sicilian orange drinking chocolate and pure Belgium dark chocolate) and hot cross bun benedict with maple bacon, Sunnybank Farm poached eggs, spiced hollandaise and cranberry dukkah
- Johnny Alloo's hot cross bun-style scrolls with orange, nutmeg, allspice, currants and walnuts
And for something a little bit different, Mia & Talbot Candles & Gifts’ range of non-chocolate goodies will include Easter bath bombs, candles and hampers.
Ballarat Candle Co has also released three limited edition Easter scents – Mr Davies' Hot Cross Buns, MacRobertson's Chocolate Delight, and Red Shop Tea Rooms Carrot Cake.