Ballarat’s culture gold rush
The Archibald Prize comes to Ballarat in October along with festivals, museum shows and plenty to make your weekend away unforgettable
FAMOUS FOR ITS gold mining past, Ballarat is rapidly transforming into a cultural hub. There’s no better time than now to visit Ballarat and check out all that’s on offer.
Love your art? Visit Australia’s oldest regional art gallery, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, to view the this year’s finalists in the Archibald Prize, Australia’s famous competition for painted portraiture. Did Louise Hearman deserve to win the $100,000 prize for her painting of Barry Humphries, or are you more with Betina Fauvel-ogden’s gritty rendering of George Calombaris? More than 50 of the finalist works will be on show. While you’re there, browse the gallery’s impressive permanent collection. 40 Lydiard St North, Ballarat 3350.
Make your way to the Lost Ones Gallery if you’re in need of a contemporary art fix, and catch Roz
Avent: Nature Brute – an exhibition of Avent’s large, evocative charcoal drawings of Central Victorian landscapes. 14 Camp St, Ballarat Central 3350. Until Oct 9. Take a trip down memory lane with
one of the city’s guided heritage walking tours. Admire Ballarat’s historic 19th-century buildings and monuments, if you’re still yearning for more knowledge, continue onto the city’s Gold Museum. Bradshaw St, Ballarat 3350. Visit the Eureka Stockade, the birthplace of Australia’s democracy, and browse the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka. Wander through the museum’s interactive installations and learn about the infamous rebellion that helped make Australia what it is today. 102 Stawell St South, Ballarat 3350.
Head to Ballarat Mining Exchange for Ballarat Cabaret (October 7-9), Australia’s only regional festival dedicated to the art of cabaret. Guests artists include Vince Jones and Paul Grabowsky performing
Provenance; the inimitable Meow Meow presenting Feline Intimate; and there’ll even be the chance to attend a cabaret masterclass with Amelia Ryan and Michael Griffiths. 17 Lydiard St S, Ballarat Central 3350. Songways Festival is a four-day, two-night celebration of local music running October 13-16. Homegrown talent will perform in the city’s various music venues. Head to Karova Lounge ( 15 Field St, Ballarat Central 3350) or Suttons House of Music ( 31 Sturt St, Ballarat 3350) to enjoy the tunes from the best musicians from Ballarat and beyond.