Ballarat artists Travis Price, Ben Sanders and Caroline Keys have worked together to create a Christmas art trail chasing a pair of furry critters around the CBD.
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The Christmas Tale of Balla-Rat's Star focuses on two adorable rats, Balla and Pete, who on a quest to find the perfect tree topper.
Ms Keys, an illustrator, said the trail was a perfect opportunity for families to explore unseen parts of Ballarat and get some happy snaps.
“We wanted them to be friendly, because rats aren’t usually thought of in that way, and we wanted a sort of vintage feel,” she said.
“The was the best part was the three of us are used to working on our own, so it was really good to collaborate, weave it all together and bounce ideas off each other.
“I think people who live in Ballarat will feel very proud, because its a uniquely Ballarat story, can’t take this art work anywhere else.”
As part of the city’s festive decorations, Sturt Street has been dotted with topiary reindeers, baubles, stars and a giant Christmas tree.
A giant Santa will also appear outside Parent Place on Sturt Street.
“The spirit of Christmas in Ballarat has morphed over the years into a celebration of our city's creatives who are constantly challenging traditions to create something that is uniquely Ballarat,” said mayor Samantha McIntosh.
The trail starts in McKenzie Street, near Armstrong Street North, and finishes in Bakery Hill.
A map to all 10 art locations can be found at hello.visitballarat.com.au/2018-christmas-in-ballarat