Accessibility

The Ballarat Heritage Festivals events and attractions are becoming more and more equipped to cater for people with disabilities and their carers. 

Planning your visit

We want your Heritage Festival experience to be enjoyable and easy to plan. Many events take place across different heritage venues in Ballarat, so it’s helpful to consider how you will travel, where to park, and what facilities are available before you arrive. A full list is below of all of the accessibility information for each venue.

The City of Ballarat Accessibility Map is an interactive tool integrated with Google Maps designed to assist people with disability, carers, and support workers in easily locating accessible facilities and inclusive venues across the municipality.

Key information to help you plan:

• Accessible parking and drop-off: Available at many key venues. Details are listed under each venue where known.
• Accessible toilets: Located across central Ballarat and at major venues (see summary below).
• Staff support: Festival staff and volunteers are available to assist—please ask if you need help.
• Assistance animals: Assistance animals are welcome at all festival venues.
• Crowds and noise: Some events include large crowds, amplified sound, live music, machinery, horses, or steam displays. See event notes for details.

Sensory and crowd information

We have developed a social story to help you prepare for what to expect at Heritage Festival which includes a wide range of event types and environments.

Things to be aware of:

• Busy events: Opening weekend, markets, and popular performances may include crowds and queues.
• Noise: Some events may include amplified sound, live music, or announcements.
• Industrial and heritage demonstrations: Steam engines, machinery, and vehicles may create loud or sudden noises.
• Animals: Some events may include horses.
• Lighting: Certain indoor or evening events may have low lighting.

Where known, specific sensory considerations are included under each venue or event.

View the Ballarat Heritage Festival social story, here.

View the accessibility map, here.

BALLAARAT MECHANICS INSTUTUTE (BMI) – 117 – 119 Sturt Street, Ballarat

• The BMI is completely wheelchair accessible and lift access throughout the building.
• We have a LH Accessible bathroom on the mezzanine floor (accessible via the lift).
• For theatre seated performances we reserve seats for people who use a wheelchair and an accompanying person.
• The lift is located on the ground level to the right just past the main stairs. The lift will take you to each of our spaces throughout the building.
• Our lift also has a Voiceover to notify you of which level it is stopping at, and which way the lift is heading (up or down).
• The BMI has two accessible bathrooms.
• We welcome all assistance animals into our building.
• More Information:Accessibility - Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute (ballaratmi.org.au)

BALLARAT TRAIN STATION - Lydiard Street North, Ballarat 

• The train station has easy access from the bus exchange and from the drop off points. 
• The bus exchange has full TGSI’s leading to the main platform and into the ticket office. 
• The ticket and information windows are equipped with hearing loops & communication cards. 
• The accessible toilet has been recently upgraded to new standards. 
• The existing toilet height, handrails and basin are compliant. 
• The access to the second platform is via the pedestrian crossing over the rail tracks in Lydiard St. 

BALLARAT TOWN HALL - 225 Sturt Street, Ballarat

• The Town Hall houses the Ballarat Visitor Centre
• The Visitor Information Centre is located to the rear of Town Hall. It has an adult change room with full-service hoist and a non-peninsula toilet. 
• Parking is available off Bath Lane. 
• The Visitor Centre can be accessed from the rear of Town Hall through self-opening doors and is well laid out with easy access to brochures and staff. 
• The Town Hall has a self-guided tour via a downloadable app and QR Codes. 
• Access to the upper level is via a lift in the foyer. 
• More Information:  Accessibility | City of Ballarat

CIVIC HALL - 300 – 304 Mair Street, Ballarat

• The Centre consists of 2 levels – Auditorium and Balcony
• Wheelchair access to both levels available
• Accessibility Toilets are located on the ground floor.
• There are 3 large double doors for entry.  The larger Wheelchair access doors to the far left.
• There are no fixed seatings so wheelchairs can be accommodated easily
• Layout of Antique Fair egress?
• More Information: Civic Hall | City of Ballarat
• Accessibility - Visit Ballarat

CRESWICK WOOLLEN MILL - Railway Parade, Creswick 

• The entire mill building area is a flat concrete floor. 
• All the corridors are wide and easy to navigate. 
• Fonts on displays are large and easy to read. All displays are positioned at 1 metre or less. 
• Broad mesh fencing gives a good view of the equipment regardless of eye height. 
• The retail area is well laid out with multiple level displays. 
• There is an accessible toilet with side & rear grab rails and a padded backrest is located off the main entrance. 
• More Information:  The Creswick Woollen Mill | Creswick Wool

EUREKA CENTRE - 102 Stawell Street South, Ballarat 

• The Eureka Centre has designated accessible parking in the main car park opposite the centre. 
• A gently sloping concrete path leads to the centre. 
• Entry to the foyer is through a wide self-opening door. 
• A ramp leads to the lower-level exhibition space. 
• The upper level of the 140-seat theatre is accessible from the upper level opposite reception. Inside, there is a large area for wheelchair users. The lower level is also accessible and four seats at either side of the theatre in the front row are removable to allow for wheelchair seating. The theatre is also equipped with hearing augmentation. 
• The displays and cafe have good circulation space. 
• There is an accessible toilet on the upper level opposite reception. It has side and rear grab rails and a padded back rest. 
• More Information: Home Page | Eureka Centre (eurekacentreballarat.com.au)

MINING EXCHANGE – 12 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat

• The Mining Exchange is ground level only
• Wheelchair access through the front doors on ground level
• There is a large iron gate and to internal glass doors that has easy access for wheelchairs.
• There is no fixed seating so wheelchairs can be accommodated easily
• More Information: Accessibility - Visit Ballarat
  

SOVEREIGN HILL - Bradshaw Street, Ballarat 

• Disabled parking bays are provided in front of the main building. 
• Entry to the main building and ticket office is via a ramp in the front of the building. 
• Road and pathways through the site are gravel. The surface is fine with aggregate of less than 13mm and is hard packed. All the paths are step-free. 
• Main St is a gentle slope until the red brick chimney at the mine tour office where the slope increases. 
• On the edges of Main St are bluestone gutters. 
• A boardwalk is in front of the shops on both sides of the road. 
• Wooden bridges give access to the boardwalk between each set of steps. 
• Most of the museum shops have wide level doorways allowing access. 
• Accessible toilets are located behind the photographic studio, in the United States Hotel, next to the fire brigade, next to the main theatre in the entrance building, and at the cafe. 
• Full accessibility information (including Auslan, Social Scripts and a downloadable PDF map): www.sovereignhill.com.au/accessibility