Visit the nearby Ballarat Wildlife and Reptile Park. Tour through Eureka Street and the Stockade Precint, sites of the civil uprising battle. Historic town recreation at Sovereign Hill. View the excellent period architecture in Lydiard Street. Explore the relics at Lal Lal and the water wheel at Andersons Mill.
Local wineries produce some well known labels.
Nearby Buninyong hosts the annual Gold King Festival in February. Arts, crafts, galleries and antiques all year round Stawell - continue on the Western Highway from Ballarat. Best known for the annual Stawell Gift, a professional foot race with a history back to the gold rush days. National Trust classified period buildings and the Chiming Clock with animated figures of working miners. Hang gliding from Mt Cole Forest Range.