The only reason why you should ponder Ballarat vs Bendigo is that you don’t have time. If you do, go to both cities. They are amongst the nicest historic towns in Australia. You get nature and architecture!
We’ve been to both several times and always had a blast. Therefore, no matter which one you choose for your first trip, you will have a good time. On your next trip to Australia, you visit the other one.
Ballarat is 70 miles (110 km) northwest of Melbourne. Trains there take approximately 1.5 hours. Bendigo is 95 miles (150 km) north of Melbourne. The train takes two hours. Take note that there are no trains connecting both cities.
Quick Comparison
Some 103,000 people live in Bendigo, while 116,000 do in Ballarat. Ballarat has an area of 132 sq miles (343 km2), and Bendigo of 111 sq miles (287 km2). That’s why Ballarat feels like a small city and Bendigo like a town.
The gold rush began first in Ballarat. The city was established in 1838, while Bendigo was in 1855. However, Ballarat kept growing after the gold rush and became a wealthy city in the 20th Century. Bendigo’s fortunes ended when the gold ended.
Today, both are historic towns with a fun local population. Farms and fields surround them both. Ballarat is at the foothills of the Central Highlands. Bendigo is near the Greater Bendigo National Park. The weather is similar in both.
If You Have to Choose
If you have to choose, we advise you to go to Ballarat first. Since the city is bigger, it offers a bit more than Bendigo. Not that Bendigo isn’t fascinating, but we like Ballarat a bit more.
Architecture lovers and history buffs will be in heaven in Ballarat. The city is linked to the history of Victoria and Australia. You get to see firsthand how the country got built and changed through the centuries.
Due to its wealth, Ballarat has more historic architecture from the 19th and 20th Centuries. Now, if you like charming small towns, go to Bendigo. We love walking along its leafy streets enjoying the relaxed vibe. The architecture is great too.
Ballarat
Ballarat is a perfect destination to spend a couple of days. Most tourists drive there from Melbourne in an hour and a half. We take the train. The journey is an attraction in itself, so grab a window seat.
As soon as you exit the city, you go through the local bush and agricultural land. If you go early in the morning or late afternoon, you will see kangaroos from your window. Most historic architecture is in the center, around the train station.
Historic houses line the leafy streets. The residential areas are next to the center. You can walk under old trees admiring old houses. Not everything is old in Ballarat. Today, the city has a vibrant cultural life and restaurant scene.
Main Sights
Ballarat is famous for its historic architecture. The train station is from 1862. The Town Hall from 1870 is a block south on Sturt Street. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral from 1871 is next door. St. Andrews Uniting Church from 1873 is in front.
Historic buildings line this park-like boulevard. The Post Office is from 1864. St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral from 1864 is next. The area around Lydiard Street is interesting. Check out the Queen Victoria Wards from 1890. The Synagogue on Princess St. is from 1861.
Don’t miss the historic Ballarat Fire Station and the oldest operating theatre in Australia: Her Majesty’s Theatre. We love the plants and statures inside the Ballarat Botanical Gardens by the Lake Wendouree. Walk or bike around the incredible lake.
Museums
Our favorite museum is next to the train station. The Art Gallery of Ballarat from 1884 is the oldest and biggest regional museum in Australia. Both the building and the collection inside are awesome. The railway station has a small museum.
The Mechanic Institute on Sturt Street is from 1860. Today, it’s the best cultural center in the city. The Ballarat Tramway Museum is by the lake. From there, walk south to the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial.
The Sovereign Hill is a replica of a gold town half an hour walking from Sturt Street. It’s got two sections: the Center for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades and the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections. It’s got live shows!
Hotels
The best places to stay in Ballarat are in the center. We always stay at the Provincial Boutique Hotel opposite the train station. The hotel opened in 1909. The hotel features old furniture, antiques, and lots of class. The best rooms have a kitchenette and a balcony. It’s got parking.
Mark Twain stayed at Craig’s Royal Hotel. The only 5-star hotel in the city opened in 1853 in the heart of the city. The rooms are big, extra comfy, and have marble bathrooms. The Royal Suite has its own spa.
If you are looking for apartments, book one at Ballarat Premier Apartments. The historic mansion built in 1901 is on Lyons Street South in the center. All of the units come with a fully equipped kitchen. It has free onsite parking.
Restaurants and Bars
You won’t get hungry or thirsty in Ballarat. All types of eateries line Sturt Street. For simple top quality local food, we go to Country Roasts Ballarat. The Turret Café is in a historic house. The fancy restaurant specializes in international dishes.
Our favorite restaurant in Ballarat is The Lake View Hotel. The historic brick building is gorgeous and faces the lake. The food is delicious. For coffee, we usually go to Webster’s Market and Café on Webster Street. Their food is excellent too.
For cocktails in an authentic vintage setting, go to the 18th Amendment Bar on Camp Street. To listen to live music, grab a bite or a drink, head to Piano Bar Ballarat on Sturt Street. RJM’s Wine Bar on Mair Street has a wide selection of local wines.
Moving Around
The best way of moving around Ballarat is by walking. The historic core is not that big, and you can walk from attraction to attraction. We walk around the city all year round! Don’t forget a hat in summer and an umbrella in winter!
Biking is another fantastic way of exploring Ballarat. Several scooter and bike-sharing companies operate in the city. There are a couple of bike rental places in the center. You can take your bike on the train from Melbourne.
The city has a top-notch transportation system that includes trams, buses, and trains. Here you’ll find official information on routes and schedules. The system operates with the same Myki card used in Melbourne. Buy it at the train station.
What’s Special about Ballarat
Ballarat is special because of its historic architecture. The city is known around the world for its colonial Victorian buildings. Some of the best early 19th Century buildings in Australia are in the city. Besides, everything is in great shape and in use.
We believe you should visit Ballarat to experience the real Australia. Sydney and Melbourne are big cosmopolitan cities. Ballarat on the other hand is completely Australian. It’s got its own culture, and at the same time is modern and vibrant.
Due to its location, Ballarat is a great place to relax and enjoy nature. You get the best of both worlds. Ballarat is a fun city, with bars, restaurants, and history, but with parks and nature all around.
Bendigo
If you love cute towns, you have to go to Bendigo. The town is under two hours by train from Melbourne. Though you can go on a day trip, we strongly recommend spending at least one night.
The Dja Dja Wurrung owned the land until the Europeans came in the 1830s. Bendigo was a sheep outpost until gold was discovered in the 1850s. Europeans and Chinese flocked to the area afterward. At that time, Bendigo was called Sandhurst.
It got its current name in 1891. The next decades made Bendigo the richest gold mining town in Eastern Australia. Thus superb Victorian architecture populates Bendigo’s streets. Today, Bendigo is a fun town with a renowned bar and restaurant scene.
Main Sights
Bendigo’s Town Hall from 1859 stands tall in a garden in the center. Walk one block to the world-famous Pall Mall. The city’s grandest Victorian architecture lines the leafy boulevard. The lush Rosalind Park from the 19th Century is here too.
The park is huge and includes an 1897 Conservatory, statues, avenues lined with ancient trees, cascades, and a children’s area. There is also a Chinese Garden. Queen Elizabeth’s Oval from 1897 is behind the park. You can walk along Bendigo Creek too.
Walk half an hour east to Lake Weerona. The 1870 Chinese Joss House Temple is north. Visit the massive Sacred Heart Cathedral from 1908 in the center. Check the Colonial Bank Building from 1887 and the Institute of Technology from 1894.
Museums
The Bendigo Post from 1887 is today the city’s art gallery. The collection inside is as grand as the building. The Bendigo Law Courts are next to the museum, inside Rosalind Park. The Military Museum from 1921 is a block east.
Climb the historic former Mine Poppet Head inside the park and admire the city. The Bendigo Art Gallery is next door. The gallery occupies buildings from the 1890s, but the façade is from 1962. Walk east inside the park to The Ulumbarra Theatre.
It used to be the Sandhurst Gaol from 1860. Today, it’s the best cultural center in the city. The Golden Dragon Chinese Museum is in front. Take the historic tram to Central Deborah Gold Mine. You can tour an underground mine!
Hotels
The best hotel in Bendigo is the 5 star Hotel Ernest in the park. The building from 1864 used to be the Commercial Banking Company. The rooms are huge and fancy. The hotel has a fantastic sun terrace and a garden.
We usually stay at the historic Shamrock Hotel from 1864 and rebuilt in 1897. It’s got the best location in town: in front of the park. The best rooms have a spa and balcony. Locals love the hotel’s bar.
Stay next to the lake at the Tea House Motor Inn. The 4-star hotel has a heated outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a lovely garden. All of the rooms have a fully equipped kitchen and a seating area.
Restaurants and Bars
Bendigo has a wide selection of restaurants and bars. Our favorite restaurant in the city is The Dispensary in the center. They serve local and international food. The place is super cool and has a selection of over 100 beers!
For a cocktail and a bite listening to live music, we go to Piano Bar Bendigo next to the Shamrock Hotel. Chinese food we always have at House of Kong, in front of the Town Hall gardens.
Our favorite coffee house in the center is Café Essence. It’s got sidewalk tables, a balcony, and the best homemade pastries in town. To eat next to the lake, go to the Boardwalk Café. The place is beautiful, and the food is superb.
Moving Around
The best way of moving around Bendigo is on foot. If you like to walk, you will love Bendigo. The city is laid back, and there isn’t much traffic. Our favorite walk is from Rosalind park to the lake.
You can also take public transportation. Here you have official info on routes and schedules. Take note that you need a Miky card, which you can buy at the station. The one from Melbourne works too. Biking is a great option.
There are a couple of bike rental places and international scooter services. You can bring your bike from Melbourne on the train. We love taking the 19th Century trams. The historic trams go from Deborah’s Mine to the Joss House Temple.
What’s Special about Bendigo
We love Bendigo because it’s the perfect size, not that big or small. It is a charming town with grand historic architecture and lots of history. Therefore, visit Bendigo if you want to relax. You will experience Australia’s history while enjoying its local culture and food.
However, what makes it special is the locals. Friendly and warm, they make you feel at home. Bendigo has attracted people from nearby towns and even city dwellers from Melbourne searching for peace and quiet.
Bendigo is traditional and modern at the same time. Thus the vibrant bar and restaurant scene. Since it’s small, you can chill at the park, visit a museum, and have a cocktail in a historic bar on the same day!
If You Still Haven’t Decided
The main difference between Bendigo and Ballarat is their size. Both cities have some of the best historic architecture in Australia and fantastic parks and lakes. As architects ourselves, we believe Ballarat is a bit more interesting because it’s bigger.
Therefore, it all depends on you. If you like towns, you will fall in love with Bendigo. Nobody rushes here, and there’s always time to chat and get to know the locals. All you have to do is share a beer.
Ballarat, on the other hand, is an architect’s dream. You can spend days discovering fascinating buildings. That said, it’s still small and relaxed. If you have 3 days, spend two nights in Ballarat and one in Bendigo.
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