Ballan: River Walks, Trees and Art

Ballan offers several reasons to spend time outdoors and discover local attractions: walks and old riverside trees take centre stage along the Werribee River, while the Historic Tree Walk draws attention to the town’s historic trees. There is also a monthly Farmers Market, changing art exhibitions and a community-organised festival. When planning your trip, consider whether you want to visit for a specific event or explore Ballan’s walks, park and reserve.

Market and festival dates

The Ballan Autumn Festival takes place every year in March. The community organises the event; dates and programme vary from year to year. If the festival is the reason for your trip, check the details for that year’s event. The Ballan Farmers Market has a regular monthly date: it takes place on the second Saturday of each month. As the recurring schedule may change, it’s worth checking the current calendar before your trip. The market usually has at least 25 stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, regional produce, unique arts and crafts, and artisan breads and pastries. The number of stalls and the selection of products may vary from one market day to another.

Riverside walks and a waterside picnic spot

Caledonian Park covers 24.2 acres, with the Werribee River flowing through it from east to west. You can walk along the river and admire the old trees on its banks. The park also has a large playground with a wave slide and a curved slide, climbing wall, tunnel, ladder, vertical square rope climbing frame, swings and fireman’s pole. Facilities may change over time. If a particular piece of playground equipment is important for your visit, check the latest information.

The Ballan Mineral Spring Reserve, next to Bostock Reservoir, offers a different setting. From the picnic tables, you can look out over the eastern arm of the Moorabool River. Visitors can fill their own containers with spring water and take it with them. The spring water is compared with water from the Hepburn Springs region. The reserve therefore offers a waterside view and the chance to take spring water home, making it a different experience from a riverside walk in Caledonian Park.

Historic trees, art and golf

The Ballan Historic Tree Walk is a relaxed stroll through Ballan where you can see the town’s historic trees. An interactive map guides you along the walk; QR codes at individual trees provide stories about each one and horticultural information. The walk is therefore about not only the trees themselves, but also their individual stories.

The Ballan Arts Space regularly presents new special exhibitions and changing collections by members of the Ballan and District Artists Collective. The gallery shop sells works by local artists and craftspeople and is open during the Collective’s exhibitions. If you’d also like to visit the shop, you can plan your stay around one of these exhibitions.

Ballan Golf Club has a shady, tree-lined course that is mostly flat, with a few short, steep climbs and river crossings. It also features Santa Ana couch grass greens. Course conditions and layout may change; if you’re planning to play golf, check the latest information before your round.

Plan your stay and accommodation search

The reason for your trip may influence your choice of hotel: if you’re visiting for the festival or Farmers Market, check the dates; if you’re interested in art, check the exhibition schedule if you’d also like to visit the gallery shop. For a stay without a fixed event date, the Historic Tree Walk, riverside park and reserve offer different experiences.

Discover more destinations

Curdievale, Cocamba, Kangaroo Flat, Ensay, Pomonal, Strzelecki, Wesburn, Toongabbie

For the main travel overview: Victoria.