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Ballarat, VIC

  • City Info
    City of Ballarat, VIC

    Ballarat was establised in the 1850s after discovery of very rich gold fields in the area.

    Location

    Ballarat is a city located on the Yarrowee River in the Grampians region of Victoria, Australia. The city is approximately 105 Kms West-North-West of the state capital Melbourne.

    Ballarat, VIC CBD

    Ballarat has many Victorian buildings in the CBD from the Gold rush era.

    Seasons

    Winter
    Jun to Aug
    10°C - 22°C

    Spring
    Sep to Nov
    13°C - 25°C

    Summer
    Dec to Feb
    18°C - 30°C

    Autumn
    Mar to May
    15°C - 25°C

    Time

    Eastern Daylight Time: GMT +11hours. Daylight Saving Time ends April, starts October

    No Smoking

    In Ballarat (Victoria) smoking is prohibited in all enclosed workplaces and certain public spaces where members of the public gather and smoking banned at all outdoor dining areas when food is available for consumption.

    Post Office

    Mon – Fri: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    * Some Open Saturday: 09:00 am – 12 noon

    Population

    99,000 people

    Money

    Notes or Bills
    $5, $10, $20, $50, $100

    Coins
    5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $2 (odd cents rounded to the nearest 5¢)

    Education providers

    CRICOS registered institutions for international students: 3 Public Universities, 1 Vocational Colleges, 2 English Language Centres

    Electricity

    240/250volts/50Hz

    Weather

    Seasonal Climate

    Shopping

    Mon – Fri: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    * Some Open Saturday 09:00 am – 12 noon

    Banks

    Mon – Thu: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
    Fridays: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Some bank branches open Saturday morning: 9:30 am – 12 noon

  • Explore

    EXPLORE BALLARAT

    Ballarat is a city located on the Yarrowee River in the Grampians region of Victoria, Australia. The city is approximately 105 kilometres west-north-west of the state capital, Melbourne, with a population of some 99,841. It is the third largest inland population for a city in Australia. Locals are known as ‘Ballaratians’. Ballarat is arguably the most significant Victorian era gold rush boomtowns in Australia. Just months after Victoria was granted separation from the state of New South Wales, the Victorian gold rush transformed Ballarat from a small sheep station to a major settlement. Gold was discovered at Poverty Point on 18 August 1851, and news quickly spread of rich alluvial fields where gold could easily be extracted. Within months, migrants from across the world had rushed to the district in search of gold. Unlike many other gold boom towns, the Ballarat fields experienced sustained high gold yields for many decades, which can be evidenced to this day in the city’s rich architecture. The Eureka Rebellion began in Ballarat, and the only armed rebellion in Australian history, the Battle of Eureka Stockade, took place on 3 December 1854

    Main attractions include:

    Sovereign Hill
    Art Gallery of Ballarat
    Kryal Castle
    Ballarat Wildlife Park
    Sturt Street Gardens
    Ballarat Botanical Gardens
    Weekly markets selling quality fashion, art, handcrafts, fresh produce, etc.

    (Courtesy of Wikipedia & Google)

    EXPERIENCE THE LIFESTYLE IN BALLARAT

    www.visitballarat.com.au
    www.kidsafensw.org/
    www.volunteeringaustralia.org

  • Transport

    Ballarat Airport

    Nearest airports in Melbourne (see Tullamarine and Avalon)
    From Melbourne (Southern Cross Station)
    B 125 Kms approx. from Melbourne CBD
    1h30min minutes (allow more time for peak traffic hours)

    Getting around

    It is important to learn about all the public transport modes around Ballarat including nearby Melbourne. The cheapest and more convenient way to go around is get a Myki card which you can use on buses and trains see www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/how-to-use-myki/ . You can also purchase a ticket when boarding the bus or a train ticket from railway station. The closer your destination, the cheaper the fare is.

    Useful tips

    • Students doing VET (Vocational programs) and Higher Education (University undergraduate courses) can obtain discount in public transport. See https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/fares/concession/students/international-students/iusepass-for-students/. If you are entitled to Student discount, carry your student ID card with you at all times.
    • If you are travelling late at night on weekends, find out if there is a night route that goes near your destination as some routes are not scheduled on weekends.
    • Disabled and elderly people as well as pregnant women have priority seating.
    • Do not eat, drink or smoke in public transport or in taxis. Always make sure that you have your Myki Card topped up.

    Forms of transport

    For the bus, and train the fare you pay for the trip depends on how far you travel (zones) and also the time of the day. Always keep a bus/train time table in your wallet see www.ptv.vic.gov.au/timetables . Or go to www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/mobile-apps/ to download the app. Remember that times for the above services change on weekends and designated holidays.

    WALKING

    is a healthy alternative for transport. When crossing a street, wait for the green pedestrian icon. Do not walk or run over a red pedestrian light.

    RIDE A BIKE

    To cycle you must wear a helmet at all times and follow the road rules.

    BUSES

    Make sure you hail the bus so the driver stops to pick you up! Always touch on at the beginning of the trip and then off at the end of trip before you leave the bus.

    TRAINS

    Each train line has a distinctive colour in the map and on the screens at the station to help you find your way easily.

    RIDING A MOTORCYCLE

    Always wear a helmet. Check with VicRoads at https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/motorcyclist-safety.

    DRIVING

    We drive on the left side of the road. To drive in Australia, you need an English translation of your driver’s license. Check this link for road rules in Victoria https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules. If you are going to drink alcohol, do not drive.

    TAXIS

    A safe mode of transportation in particular if you have been drinking after a party. You can pay the taxi fare with your credit card if you do not carry cash. Always ask for a receipt.

  • Hospitals

    IMPORTANT NOTE:

    International Students must go to Public Hospitals as their Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) does not cover expenses in private hospitals.

    Seeking Medical Assistance

    • Carry your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) card with you at all times.
    • When visting the doctor, you will need to pay for their services (some doctors may bulk bill at no cost to you).
    • Keep all receipts so you can obtain reimbursement later.
    • All medical emergencies are covered by your Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC).
    • If you are unable to attend classes due to being sick, you should obtain a medical certificate from your doctor.
    Ballarat Health Services

    (03) 5320 4000
    1 Drummond St N, Ballarat Central VIC 3350

    Ballarat Health Services

    (03) 5320 3700
    102 Ascot Street, Ballarat, Vic 3350

  • Government Offices
    State Library

    N/A

    City Library

    Website
    https://www.centralhighlandslibraries.org.au/

    Australian Taxation Office

    Website
    https://www.ato.gov.au

    Residential Tenancy Authority

    Website
    https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing-and-accommodation

    Dept. of Immigration & Citizenship

    Website
    https://www.border.gov.au

    Fair Work Ombudsman

    Website
    https://www.fairwork.gov.au

  • Emergency & Assistance

    How to make an International call:
    0011 + Country Code + City Code + Number
    If you don't know your country code, call 1225

    National Phone Codes

    (02) Sydney (NSW) & Canberra (ACT)

    (07) Brisbane & Gold Coast (QLD)

    (08) Perth (WA), Adelaide (SA) & Darwin (NT)

    (04) Mobile (Australia wide)

    (03) Melbourne (VIC) & Hobart (TAS)

    (13 or 1300) Local calls

  • Student Services Directory

    There are no Education providers yet in ballarat