Ballarat has long been forgotten over the summer period, with many local residents packing up the car and heading towards the coast.
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But they’re leaving behind a city with plenty of going-ons to keep the whole family entertained.
Sometimes the best things about summer can be found right in our own backyard.
The Courier has compiled a list of reasons to stay in Ballarat this summer, from emerging trends to hidden attractions, and we will be adding a idea each day over the next 10 days.
NUMBER EIGHT | Our waterholes
Thanks to record rains and shoreline upgrades it’s not just Lake Wendouree that’s picture perfect this summer. Read more here.
NUMBER SEVEN | Beer
Gone are the days of mass-produced beers filling the esky, because Ballarat has firmly embraced the craft brewing revolution. Read more about our beer evolution here.
NUMBER SIX | Our gardens
They might not be the first things to spring to mind, but Ballarat’s gardening scene is rich in history and is actually quite impressive. Read more about it here.
NUMBER FIVE | 2017 Cycling Road Nationals
Every year tens of thousands gather on the slopes of Mount Buninyong to witness one of Australia’s premier sporting events – the Cycling Australia Road Nationals. Read about it here.
NUMBER FOUR | 22nd Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields festival
This year is the 22nd Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields festival, and it’s your chance to hear music rarely played anywhere in Australia. Read more about it here.
NUMBER THREE | Lake Wendouree
Lake Wendouree showcases everything Ballarat does best on long, lazy days, making it the perfect place to be this summer. Read about what makes it so great here.
NUMBER TWO | Seductive Summer of Sound
Forget the beach. Ballarat is promoting a summer season saturated with music in a bid to lure visitors and entice residents to stay put. Read more here.
NUMBER ONE | Ballarat hosts 71st Australian Jazz Convention
This year’s five-day jazz convention kicks-off on Boxing Day with a brand new line-up of performers which are expected to draw in jazz lovers from around the world. Read more here.