Accessibility

We welcome people with disability and their carer and families, to join us at the Ballarat Heritage Festival events and attractions.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

Green lanyards are available and free for community members with hidden disabilities to take at a range of venues including: 

• Ballarat Visitor Information Centre 
• Ballarat Library 
• City of Ballarat Customer Service Centre, The Phoenix Building 
• Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre 
• Sebastopol Library 
• Parent Place 

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Before deciding what events to attend, we recommend you contact the event organiser and discuss your requirements. The contact details for each event organiser are available on the website for each event listing.  

Kerb and footpath standards in main commercial areas are generally suitable for people using wheelchairs, scooters, or other aids. We recommend that wherever possible you use designated crossing points for improved access.

For further accessibility information, please consult this document.

Ballarat Airport

4 Airport Road, Mitchell Park

• Access via Liberator Drive (off Link Road)
• Large Areas within the Airport that may not be accessible
• There will be portable Accessible toilets on site for the event
• Anyone with an Accessible parking permit will be directed as close to the terminal as possible by traffic management personnel.

Ballarat Library

178 Doveton Street North, Ballarat

• Automatic Entry Doors
• Accessible toilet facilities
• Elevator services the First floor
• Computers are Wheelchair accessible, and chairs will be taken away to accommodate access.
• There is an allocated Accessibility car spot
• More information: ballarat.vic.gov.au/community/accessibility, : https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/community/libraries/new-ballarat-library-facility-and-services.

Ballarat Mechanics Institute (BMI)

117 – 119 Sturt Street, Ballarat

• The BMI is completely wheelchair accessible with 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 for an accompanying person (if required).
• The lift is located on the ground level to the right just past the main stairs. The lift will take you to each of the spaces throughout the building.
• The 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/accessibility/

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 TGSIs (tactile ground surface indicators) leading to the main platform and into the ticket office. 
• The ticket and information windows are equipped with hearing loops and 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. 
• For people travelling by train, Traveller’s Aid can provide assistance weekdays from 7:30am – 3:30pm.
• More Information: V/Line accessibility – vline.com.au/Fares-general-info/Accessibility

Ballarat Town Hall

225 Sturt Street, Ballarat

• The Town Hall houses the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre
• The Visitor Information Centre is located to the rear of Town Hall.
• An adult changing facility with full-service hoist and a non-peninsula toilet is available behind the Town Hall in Bath Lane.
• Parking is available off Bath Lane, and in other nearby streets.
• The Visitor Information 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 – ballarat.vic.gov.au/community/accessibility

Civic Hall

300 – 304 Mair Street, Ballarat

• The Civic Hall consists of 2 levels – Auditorium and Balcony
• Wheelchair access to both levels is available.
• Accessible toilets are located on the ground floor.
• There are 3 large double doors for entry.  The larger access door suitable for wheelchair access is located on the far left.
• There are no fixed seatings so wheelchairs can be accommodated easily.
• More Information: Civic Hall City of Ballarat- ballarat.vic.gov.au/city/facilities-and-venues/civic-hall

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. 
• Wheelchairs are available on request. If required, we suggest that you book one to avoid disappointment.
• 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 loop 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: Eureka Centre – eurekacentreballarat.com.au/visit

Mining Exchange

12 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat

• The Mining Exchange is ground level only.
• Wheelchair access is through the front doors.
• There is a large iron gate and two internal automatic glass doors that provide easy access for wheelchairs.
• There is no fixed seating so wheelchairs can be accommodated easily, along with sufficient circulation room.
• More Information: Accessibility – Visit Ballarat – visitballarat.com.au/about/accessibility/
  
  

Regent Cinema Ballarat

29 Lydiard Steet North, Ballarat

• Auditoriums are wheelchair accessible.
• Recently upgraded levelled footpath at entrance
• Open Captain (OC) is only available for some sessions.
• Hearing Aid Loops are provided in all cinemas.
• Sensory Friendly (SF) for some movie screening
• More information: FAQ, Regent Cinemas Ballarat (regentballarat.com.au)

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 

Public Toilets 

National Public Toilet Map 

Visit the National Public Toilet Map to navigate the public toilet network in the City of Ballarat: 

National Public Toilet Map 

Changing Places and Adult Change Facilities 

• Mars Stadium (725 Creswick Rd Wendouree – CP for events only) 
• At the back of the Ballarat Town Hall (Bath Lane – ACF) 
• At North Gardens beside the Botanical Gardens (Zoo Drive Lake Wendouree – CP) 
• At the Victoria Park Inclusive Play Space (Off Russell or Gillies St South Newington – CP) 
• At Selkirk Stadium (989 Norman St Wendouree – CP) 
• Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre (off Gillies St Wendouree – ACF) 
• Stockland Wendouree Shopping Centre (Gillies St Wendouree – CP) 

Accessible Parking Permits 

In the City of Ballarat, the following Australian Disability Parking Permits allow: 

Category 1 Permit:

 
If you hold a Category 1 Australian Disability Parking (ADP) Permit for individuals (blue, purple in colour) you can: 

• Use accessible parking bays: park for the time displayed on the sign. 
• Extend time in restricted parking areas: park for twice the time shown on the parking sign in time restricted areas.  
• Unlimited meter parking: park in metered bays for as long as you need without paying or registering your car at the meter. 

Category 2 Permit: 

If you hold a Double Time (DT) Permit for individuals (green in colour), you are not eligible to park in accessible parking bays. However, You can: 

• Park for double the time in time-restricted parking bays: you can stay for twice the time shown on the parking sign in time-restricted bays. 
• Park for double the time purchased in paid metered parking bays: you can park for double the time you have paid for at metered parking bays. You must register or pay at the parking meter or via the parking app. The first hour of parking is free