Ballarat Historic Buildings Tour
Monday 17 November from 12pm - 1pm
Take a stroll past the 1862 Ballarat Railway Station down to Lydiard Street, to experience the dazzling gold rush streetscape from the second storey verandah of the George Hotel. While enjoying this exceptional viewpoint, learn about the development of this highly intact nineteenth century commercial and civic precinct, which is associated with one of the richest goldfields in the world. Continue to Sturt Street and enjoy a glimpse of our famous boulevard including the Sturt Street gardens and the Ballarat Town Hall.
Conducted by the City of Ballarat’s heritage team, this free event departs from the Goods Shed conference venue.
The walk is 1km and will take approx. 30mins on a flat accessible surface, building access includes stairs or elevator. Please wear comfortable footwear.
Delegates are welcome to indicate their attendance when registering
Ballarat Craft Loop - A Guided Creative Journey
UNESCO City of Craft & Folk Art
Tuesday 18 November from 12pm - 2pm
As part of the conference program, delegates are warmly invited to take part in the Ballarat Craft Loop, a curated journey through Ballarat’s vibrant community of artists and makers.
Ballarat is proud to be recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art, a testament to its rich artistic heritage and thriving contemporary craft scene. The Ballarat Craft Loop is an open studio trail that offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with local artists, explore their working studios, and gain insight into the creative processes that define Ballarat’s cultural identity.
This is a unique chance to explore Ballarat’s creative heart and connect with the people and practices that make it a global centre for craft and folk art.
Tour Details:
- Guided Bus Tour (capped at 48 pax - places are limited)
- Departing from The Goods Shed
- Includes visits to five (5) selected artist studios
- Fee includes transfers, entry and each artists availability
Delegates are welcome to indicate their attendance when registering.
Image credit: Tony Evans
Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections
Tuesday 18 November from 12pm - 2pm & 5pm - 7pm*
Come and take a tour of the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections – where objects of significance related to Australia's gold rush story and its legacy are cared for. The centre’s vast collection of more than 150,000 objects is brought to life through research, programs and provocation.
All year round the Centre has something for visitors to engage with, explore, touch and understand more deeply.
This venue is wheelchair accessible.
The fee for this tour includes transfers and entry to the venue.
Delegates are welcome to indicate their attendance when registering.
*3x 40 mins sessions per 2 hour tour, with a max of 10 pax per group. Tours will held during lunch and prior to the conference dinner.
Eureka Centre Ballarat Tour
Tuesday 18 November from 12pm - 2pm
Gain entry to tour the Eureka Centre, home of the Eureka Flag. Explore the social history and cultural impact of the Victorian gold rush and honour the stories of the men and women who risked their lives in the fight for miners’ rights.
The Eureka Centre is located at the National Heritage Listed Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, considered to be the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade where the rebellion took place.
The Centre is also the home of the Ballarat Research Hub, combining the City of Ballarat’s Australiana Research Collection, the Public Records Office Victoria’s Ballarat Archive Centre and the Ballarat and District Genealogical Society.
The fee for this tour includes transfers and entry to the venue.
Delegates are welcome to indicate their attendance when registering.
Australia ICOMOS and the City of Ballarat are proud to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land which includes Ballarat today, the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung People, and recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways.
We pay our respects to all Elders, past and present, and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.