When the temperature drops, Ballarat turns up the charm. Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, this historic region transforms into a haven of roaring fires, truffle-infused menus, indulgent hot chocolates and pie-fuelled adventures, all set against a backdrop of crisp air and golden light.

Ballarat does winter right, delivering a curated cool-cation packed with cosy corners, seasonal flavours and unexpected discoveries at every turn. Here a taste of what’s on during the cooler months:

• Ballarat Winter Festival | 5–27 July 2025
• Ballarat’s Best Pie | 1–31 August 2025
• Obsidian Dark Beer Festival I 28 June 2025
• Celebration of SAORI Exhibition | 7–22 June 2025
• Truffle season at Black Cat Truffles
• Cosy up by the fire: Ballarat’s warmest corners
• The road to red: Escape to the Pyrenees

Ballarat Winter Festival: 5–27 July 2025

This July, the Ballarat Winter Festival will blanket the city in three weeks of family fun, culture and frosty festivities.

Key highlights include:

• Pop-up Ice skating rink: Lace up and hit the rink, with themed disco nights every Friday and Saturday.
• Ballarat’s Hot Choc Showdown: Sip your way across more than 25 venues serving up cocoa with a twist, from kid-friendly hot chocolate bombs to adults-only marshmallow espresso martinis.
• Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill: A must-see spectacle of light, music and magic at an iconic Ballarat attraction.
• Ukiyo Spiegeltent: This opulent tent will host a range of comedy, circus and family shows including Dr Hubble’s Bubbles and The Great Dave.
• Kryal Castle’s Knights of Fire: Step into a medieval fantasy with flaming swords, snow queens and potion-making.
• The Design Exchange Winter Market: One-of-a-kind finds from local artists and designers (5–6 July).

Ballarat’s Best Pie: 1–31 August 2025

Ballarat’s Best Pie returns this winter with more than 35 savoury and sweet contenders up for the tasting.

Accolades will be awarded across seven categories, including three new additions:

• Brilliantly Unexpected Pie
• Pie with Purpose (celebrating sustainability and local ingredients)
• People’s Choice Pie (public vote)

Indulge in flaky delights with everything from classic favourites to brilliantly unexpected creations. Highlights include Hop Temple’s goat barbacoa pie, Kilderkin Distillery’s limoncello meringue pie and the beef cheek & merlot pithivier from reigning champions Itinerant Spirits.

This year’s judging panel features beloved author and TV presenter Julia Busuttil Nishimura, renowned chef Alejandro Saravia, Melbourne food and wine writer/critic Kara Monssen, local culinary favourite Tim Bone, and esteemed food journalist Richard Cornish.

Obsidian Dark Beer Festival: 28 June 2025

Immerse yourself in the rich world of dark beers at Ballarat’s Obsidian Dark Beer Festival.

Think 15 independent breweries, 30 unique dark beers, one all-inclusive ticket.

Returning to the historic Ballarat Mining Exchange on Saturday 28 June, this one-day event will be spread across two session times (11am-3pm and 4pm-8pm).

• Where: Ballarat Mining Exchange, 12 Lydiard Street North
• More information: hullabalooevents.com.au/obsidian-dark-beer-fest

Celebration of Saori Weaving: 7–22 June 2025 
Australia’s largest SAORI weaving exhibition returns to Clunes

SAORI is a Japanese freestyle weaving technique centred on creativity, mindfulness and self-expression. Over 100 woven artworks by 30 artists will be on display as the Celebration of SAORI Exhibition returns to Clunes in 2025.

Curated by Clunes-based SAORI teacher Prue Simmons, the exhibition invites visitors to view, purchase and even try their hand at this expressive form of textile art.

Free demonstrations and talks will run throughout the exhibition.

Where: Esmond Gallery at The Warehouse, 36 Fraser Street, Clunes

More information: dyeingtoweave.com.au/exhibition

Truffle season at Black Cat Truffles | 150 Howards Road, Wattle Flat

Winter is prime time for truffle hunting at Black Cat Truffles, located just outside of Ballarat. This working truffle farm offers an immersive seasonal experience where guests can join expert handlers and their trained dogs on a guided truffle hunt, followed by indulgent dining featuring truffle-focused cuisine crafted by chef Liam Downes.

Experiences on offer include:

• Friday truffle hunts (3pm–4pm, $75 per person)
  A one-hour guided truffle foraging tour led by expert handlers and truffle dogs.
• Saturday & Sunday degustation lunch (12pm–3.30pm, $220 per person)
  Includes a truffle hunt, cider on arrival, and a six-course degustation menu showcasing fresh truffles.
• Afternoon truffle experience (3.30pm–5.30pm, $140 per person)
  Features a truffle hunt, cider, and a grazing menu focused on truffle dishes.

Bookings essential: blackcattruffles.au

Cosy up by the fire: Ballarat’s warmest corners

Whether it’s for a slow Sunday lunch or a sneaky midweek escape, Ballarat’s cafes, restaurants and bars know how to turn up the warmth.

• Aunty Jacks | 315-317 Mair Street, Ballarat | Open Wednesday-Sunday
  An eccentric brewpub filled with steampunk décor, signature beers and burgers served beside a roaring fire.
• Wayward Winery |  76 Quoin Hill Road, Waubra | Open Friday-Sunday
  Overlooking the Pyrenees foothills in Waubra (just a 25-minute drive from Ballarat),  this modern cellar door delivers fire-cooked cuisine, sweeping vineyard views, and a wood-fired heater perfect for cosying up next to with a glass of red.
• Renard | 209-211 Mair Street, Ballarat | Open Wednesday-Sunday
  A sleek cocktail bar with not one but two fires to settle in beside. Sip something strong and snack on pepper leaf flatbread with burnt butter and espelette.
• Johnny Alloo | 32 Drummond Street North, Ballarat | Open daily
  A historic corner café and all-day eatery with an original wood fireplace and exposed brick charm. An inner-city sanctuary on a chilly winter day, Johnny Alloo offers specialty coffee, a thoughtful food offering, wine and beer.
• Hop Temple | 24-28 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat | Open Wednesday-Sunday
  Big beers, even bigger couches. This hidden laneway venue is all about craft brews, comfort food and vintage lounge vibes, with over 220 craft beer and ciders to choose from.
• Hideaway | 69 Water Street, Brown Hill | Open daily
  One of Ballarat’s most loved neighbourhood cafés serving toasties and flaky pastries by the fire with excellent coffee on the side.
• Carboni’s | 152 Eureka Street, Ballarat | Open daily
  Cosy up with an Italian feast beside the fireplace at this local favourite. Think woodfired pizzas, housemade ravioli and a sparkling prosecco or two.
• Hydrant Food Hall | 3 McKenzie St, Ballarat  | Open daily

Tucked down a cobbled laneway, this beautifully-restored industrial space is home to a centrepiece wood fire and a seasonal brunch menu worth writing home about.

The road to red: Escape to the Pyrenees

If a winter road trip is calling, head west and take the scenic route to Victoria’s Pyrenees wine region, where bold reds and cosy stays await.

Discover a less-travelled wine trail featuring boutique cellar doors like Dalwhinnie, Taltarni, Summerfield, and Wayward Winery, renowned for their rich, characterful shiraz and cabernet sauvignon.

For the ultimate winter hideaway, book one of three secluded tiny homes at the historic Mooramong Estate near Skipton. Set in native countryside on a working farm, these homes provide a peaceful retreat where guests can relax and embrace the scenic winter views.