G'day Ballarat! The CBD has turned into a bit of an art hunt this week, which is probably a good excuse to stop staring at my phone while walking (guilty!).
We’ve also got Ballarat’s new Latin Club throwing its first party this Saturday, a fresh indoor home for pickleball enthusiasts, and a play representing Ballarat in the Victorian Drama League Awards.
Enjoy the read and the weather!
– Luciano Devoto
PS: Want to get your business or event in front of 6,700+ locals? We can help.
SPONSOR
300m of inflatable chaos is coming to Ballarat
If the kids still have energy left these school holidays, Tuff Nutterz may sort that out.
The giant inflatable obstacle course is coming to Ballarat Showgrounds from 3 to 5 October, with 300 metres of tunnels, climbing walls, slides and plenty of bouncing packed into each 105-minute session.
There’s also a smaller course for younger kids, plus optional giant slides and games. Tickets start at just $30, with group discounts available for groups of four or more.
FEATURE
Ballarat’s CBD has become an art hunt
Photo: Caroline Keys
Ten local artists have turned Ballarat’s CBD into a nine-stop art hunt, with large-scale works now appearing on walls from Bridge Mall to Sturt Street.
The Ballarat In The Know Art Trail asks each artist what they love about the city, and the answers cover local food, Lake Wendouree, wildlife, architecture, Asian heritage and even a Victorian ghost.
The temporary works are on display until 25 October, which gives us a good excuse to look up from the footpath.
COMMUNITY
Ballarat’s Latin community is getting its own club
Photo: Ballarat Latin Club
Ballarat’s new Latin Club is officially launching this Saturday with Primavera Fest, a big night of Latin music, dancing, food and family entertainment.
It runs from 5.30 pm to 11.30 pm at Ballarat East Bowling Club, with live music from Los Locos and kids under 12 free. It may be organised by Ballarat’s Latin community, but the invitation is much broader: everyone is welcome, wherever you’re from.
Cafs gets a bigger role helping local renters
From January, Cafs will deliver the new Renter Rights Service across Ballarat and the Central Highlands, offering renters advice, support and advocacy.
It replaces the existing tenancy assistance program as part of a statewide expansion expected to help more than 25,000 renters each year. So if a rental dispute gets messy, there’ll be more local help available.
Ballarat’s kids’ rehab hub gets a makeover
Ballarat’s Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service at the Queen Elizabeth Centre has been transformed with refreshed therapy rooms, child-sized furniture, new specialised equipment and interactive resources.
The upgrade was funded through community donations, including the Grampians Health Christmas Appeal, Hopathon and more than $23,000 given in memory of baby Edith Blake Wallace.
Ballarat theatre takes on the state stage
Ballarat National Theatre has chosen Dead Man’s Cell Phone as its sole 2026 entry in the Victorian Drama League Awards.
The dark comedy follows a woman who answers a dead stranger’s ringing phone and gets pulled into the life he left behind. It runs 23 October to 1 November, with the awards presented on Sunday 6 December.
COUNCIL
Nearly one in three locals is 55+
Ballarat is getting older, and Council is asking locals to review its draft Ageing Well Strategy 2027–2030.
It covers areas including connection, communication, transport and safety, with feedback open until Friday 2 October. It’s a chance for older residents and their families to say what would make Ballarat easier to age in.
What Ballarat families say they need
576 participants helped shape Council’s new Family and Children’s Strategy, and the feedback was pretty clear.
Families raised the cost of activities, long service waitlists, limited after-hours support and a gap in programs for kids aged 7 to 12. Council is now asking if the draft has got those priorities right.
BUSINESS
Pickleball has a new home in Mitchell Park
RUSH Pickleball officially opened this Monday at 11 Mentay Way, Mitchell Park, with five indoor courts, giving locals somewhere to play year-round without negotiating with the weather.
There are memberships available now, with organised programs coming soon. Handy timing, considering I only discovered last weekend how much fun pickleball actually is.
HOUSE HUNCH
27 Lyons Street North, Ballarat Central
Source: realestate.com.au
5🛏️ 3🛁 2🚗 | House | 1,008m2
Originally built as bluestone stables in the 1850s, this Ballarat Central home was later reworked by architect Peter Elliott. Inside are multiple living spaces, a substantial library/home office and a bespoke kitchen, while mature gardens, a private courtyard and large entertaining deck wrap around the home.
What’s your price hunch?
WHAT’S ON
Things to do this week
Discover all events, activities, and live music around Ballarat each week inside our events calendar. Check it out!
Festivals & Major Events (1)
Markets (2)
Performances (5)
Live Music (4)
Community Events (10)
Family & Kids (8)
Health & Wellness (5)
Art & Exhibitions (11)
Sports & Recreation (1)
Talks & Ideas (2)
Food & Drink (4)
Bingo, Trivia & Karaoke (6)
Workshops & Classes (7)
Weather Forecast
The Bureau of Meteorology
What did you think of today's Ballarat Life?
Big thanks for subscribing to Ballarat Life! If you’d like to support this free community newsletter and keep local stories brewing each week, you can shout me a coffee. ☕
Until next Thursday!
P.S. Want to get your business in front of 6,700+ Ballarat locals? We can help.
