Christmas in Ballarat

Ballarat is Victoria's (Australia) third largest city, located just over an hour by road or rail west of Melbourne. Ballarat has enjoyed a rich and prosperous heritage thanks to the Gold Rush which began in 1851. By 1855, Ballarat had grown to a city with a population of 100,000 people. These days, long after the gold has run out, the city retains much of its rich gold heritage in the form of opulent buildings, fountains, and tourist attractions which celebrate the city's history. Notable buildings include Ballarat's Town Hall, Her Majesty's Theatre and Craig's Hotel.
An important asset to Ballarat is Lake Wendouree, a man-made lake covering 200 hectares. The Botanical Gardens are situated near the western side of the lake and feature a floral conservatory, fernery, lawns and an avenue of bronze busts of all the Australian prime ministers. A vintage electric tramway operates along Wendouree Parade between the Botanical Gardens and lake foreshore.