Come for the football, stay for the food and family fun this long weekend in Ballarat.
On Sunday afternoon the Western Bulldogs take on St Kilda at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium as part of the JLT Community Series.
If you’re looking to make the most of the long weekend and getaway, there’s plenty to see and do in Ballarat and the surrounding areas, highlighted by the Ballarat Begonia Festival.
If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat, before or after the game, there’s a wide range of local cafes, pubs and eateries to chose from.
Equally if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the cultural aspects of the region, there’s no shortage of attractions, galleries, museums and exhibitions to check out
For more information on what’s on this long weekend in Ballarat, check out details on some of the feature events below, or head to www.visitballarat.com.au for more information.
Ballarat Begonia Festival
When: Saturday, March 9 - Monday, March 11, between 10am and 5pm.
Where: Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Lake Wendouree.
Details: Three days jam-packed with entertainment, activities, talks, culinary delights and celebrity guests awaits at the 2019 Ballarat Begonia Festival. Returning this year are the ever-popular dirtgirl from Get Grubby TV and television personality Costa Georgiadis. For the first time, the free festival will also feature Paul West, the former host of SBS TV series River Cottage Australia.
Professional Bull Riders Australia Ballarat Invitational
When: Saturday, March 9, from 6pm (gates open at 4pm).
Where: Ballarat Showgrounds, Creswick Road, Ballarat.
Details: Watch some of the best bull riders in the world battle the sport’s toughest bovine athletes as part of the PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) Monster Energy Tour. Choreographed with pyrotechnics, concert sound system, mega screen replays and multiple camera angles that will take you behind the scenes and inside the bucking chutes as riders prepare for the ride of their life whilst delivering you the ultimate live event experience.
Miners Rest Community Cup
When: Monday, March 11, from 11am.
Where: Ballarat Turf Club, 240 Kennedys Road, Miners Rest.
Details: Make the most of the Labour Day public holiday with a day at the races at the Miners Rest Community Cup. Just a short 10-minute drive from the CBD, the Ballarat Turf Club boasts a country atmosphere with metropolitan quality.
Ballarat Antique Fair
When: Saturday, March 9 (10am-6pm), Sunday, March 10 (10am-5pm), and Monday, March 11 (10am-4pm).
Where: Civic Hall, 300 Mair Street, and St Patrick's Cathedral hall, 3 Lyons Street South, Ballarat.
Details: The 2019 Ballarat Antique Fair will boast some amazing antique finds, one-of-a-kind items and lots of exciting things to see. A free shuttle bus will operate between both venues, car parks and the train station.
Ballarat Begonia Stamp and Coin Fair
When: Monday, March 11, between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
Where: Ballarat Specialist School (Farm Campus), 800 Norman Street, Ballarat.
Details: Enjoy more than 35 dealer and club tables, prizes, giveaways for children and free valuations at this annual free event.
