SUMMER IN BALLARAT: GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY AND TASTE BUDS TINGLING IN VICTORIA’S TOP TOURISM TOWN

Black Cat Truffles

SUMMER TRUFFLE HUNTS

Summer truffle hunts return to Black Cat Truffles, showcasing a special summer truffle variety rarely grown in Australia. With the help of truffle-sniffing dogs, hunters can enjoy a beautiful summer’s day in the magnificent Black Cat gardens followed by a decadent, truffle-focused long lunch by renowned local chef Liam Downes.

Every weekend this summer, Black Cat Truffles will two truffle sessions:

1. Morning truffle hunt followed by a six-course Chef’s Selection lunch
2. Afternoon truffle hunt followed by a grazing late lunch with live music

Both experiences will be paired with carefully selected wines, an extensive beer range and a cocktail list.
When: Weekends
Where: Black Cat Truffles - 150 Howards Road, Wattle Flat
Price: Morning Truffle Hunt: $180, Afternoon Truffle Hunt: $150
To book: blackcattruffles.au/truffle-hunts

FRUIT PICKING AT PAYNE’S ORCHARDS

Payne’s Orchards 

Pick your own summer fruits at Payne’s Orchards - a small, family-run orchard renowned for doing things the natural way. Spend a day rummaging through fruit groves to enjoy the fresh pickings of your hard work.
Enjoy cherries and berries in December; apricots from December to January; peaches from December to February; and nectarines from February into March.
When: Various dates across summer
Where: Payne’s Orchard - 372 Bacchus Marsh Road, Bacchus Marsh
To book: paynesorchards.com.au
Price: $5 per adult (12 years+) | $2 per child (3-12 years)

SUMMER SPIRITS MASTERCLASS AT ITINERANT SPIRITS

The team at Itinerant Spirits - Ballarat’s newest distillery and part of the recently opened The Goods Shed precinct - are launching a spirits masterclass just in time for summer.

The ‘explorer’ style sessions are an opportunity for spirit-lovers to explore not only Itinerant Spirits’ house made gin and vodka but also to discover the journey and origins of the raw ingredients sourced from across Western Victoria that are used in the spirits.

From foraged botanicals and locally malted grain through to a tour of the on-site distillery, the Itinerant Spirits team will take wannabe distillers through the process of using their unique copper stills and their own on-grains distilling method.

The Spirits Masterclass is an hour and a half and includes:

• Gallivanter Gin & Tonic or Vansetter Vodka & Soda on arrival
• Guided tasting of three core spirits (gin, vodka and new-make)
• Workshop to learn about the spirit-making process, plus the wondrous Itinerant Spirits backstory
• Distillery tour
• Finish with a Gallivanter Gin or Vansetter Vodka cocktail of choice

When: Various dates
Where: Itinerant Spirits - The Goods Shed, 200 Lydiard St N, Ballarat
To book: itinerantspirits.com
Price: $70 per person

BALLARAT RODEO

Ballarat Rodeo

Witness daring cowboys and cowgirls test their mettle as they ride, rope and wrestle the fiercest bucking broncos and bulls at the Ballarat Rodeo at the iconic Kryal Castle.

Along with the heart-pounding action, Ballarat Rodeo will offer a day and night full of entertainment for the whole family including live music, delicious food and beverages, plus an array of family-friendly activities.

Don’t miss out on watching the spirit of the Wild West come alive at the Ballarat Rodeo.
When: Saturday 6 January 2024
Where: Kryal Castle - 121 Forbes Rd, Leigh Creek
Time: 10:00am - 11:45pm
Price: Adult - $39.90 | Child - $19.90 | Family of four - $104.50
To book: kryalcastle.com.au

FREE EXHIBITIONS AT THE ART GALLERY OF BALLARAT

The Art Gallery of Ballarat has two new free exhibitions this summer:

Significant Others: 

Explore the profound visual connectivity that sits behind the term ‘significant other’ and celebrate the connections between artists as pairs - from partners to family members, teachers, mentors and friends. Notable pairs featured include Hans Heysen and Nora Heysen; John Brack and Helen Maudsley; Joy Hester and Albert Tucker; Inge King and Grahame King; and George Lambert and Thea Proctor.
Where: Art Gallery of Ballarat - 40 Lydiard St N, Ballarat Central
When: Until 11 February 2024
Price: Free

Layers of Blak:

Credit: Elijah Money (Wiradjuri) – Namesake
Photograph: Fred Kroh

Layers of Blak celebrates the creative outcome of the Koorie Heritage Trust’s second year of the Blak Design program, showcasing jewellery from eleven Victorian First Peoples artists.
Where: Art Gallery of Ballarat - 40 Lydiard St N, Ballarat Central
When: 9 December 2023 to 10 March 2024
Price: Free

JUNIOR KEEPER PROGRAM AT BALLARAT WILDLIFE PARK

Ballarat Wildlife Park’s ‘Junior Keeper Program’ returns this summer. The program (for children aged 6-15 years old) is an incredible three-hour adventure hosted by some of the Wildlife Park’s most experienced keepers and focuses on education and conservation through hands-on learning and interactivity.

Dressed in their own Junior Keeper shirt, participants will be introduced to several of the Park’s animals and learn fascinating facts about a range of different species. From preparing food using animal recipe cards to raking up roo poo, Junior Keepers will learn to work as a team to take care of the animals.

To remember the day, all participants receive a certificate as well as a group Junior Keeper photo.
When: Various dates
Where: Ballarat Wildlife Park - 250 Fussell Street, Ballarat East
Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Price: $99.00
To book: wildlifepark.com.au

HIKE MOUNT BUNINYONG

Mount Buninyong

If getting outside is your summer thing, Ballarat is ready and waiting with a smorgasbord of nature-based activities including hiking Mount Buninyong.

Only a 20-minute drive from Ballarat, Mount Buninyong is an extinct volcanic mountain 745 metres above sea level. Walk through the crater and up to the lookout tower to enjoy panoramic views of the Buninyong district and beyond.
Where: Mount Buninyong Road, Buninyong
More info: visitballarat.com.au/explore/mount-buninyong
* Riley Flower at riley@littlebigmarketing.com