Maps
The City of Ballarat is one of the largest inland cities in Australia, with a population of over 87,000.
Strategically located in the Central Highlands Region of Victoria, Ballarat is approximately 110 km north-west of Melbourne, the State capital. Drive time between Ballarat and Melbourne is around 75 minutes, and less the States major airports Tullamarine International and Avalon Airport. Travel time to and from Melbourne by express train is 64 minutes.
Access to other key regional centres is excellent via the four main State Highways which radiate out from Ballarat ie. the Western, Midland, Glenelg and Sunraysia Highways. These Highways provide easy access to the major industrial centres of Melbourne, Adelaide, Geelong and Portland; regional centres such as Bendigo and Mildura; and agricultural areas in the Mallee and Wimmera.
The City of Ballarat lies on a gently undulating section of the midland plains which stretch from Creswick in the north, to Rokewood in the south, and from Lal Lal in the south-east and to Pittong in the west. These plains are made up of alluvial sediment and volcanic flows, and contain large areas of with rich agricultural soils.
The City displays a rich variety of topology and natural environment which comprises rolling hills, granite outcrops, heavily forested areas and numerous bodies of water. The urban settlement patterns offer a diversity of living environments, including small villages and country towns, as well as the main cityscape of central Ballarat, which includes heritage architecture of national significance and international interest.