Accessibility

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

Before deciding what events to attend, we recommend you contact the event organiser and discuss your special needs and their level of access. Each event organisers contact details are available on each event listing’s website.

Our main city is wheelchair aware with kerb and footpath standards in main commercial areas allowing ease of use.

PUBLIC AMENITIES

BALLARAT VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE AT THE BALLARAT TOWN HALL

225 Sturt Street, Ballarat

• 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

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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.

ATTRACTIONS

ART GALLERY OF BALLARAT

40 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat

• Level entry from Lydiard St via self opening doors.
• An accessible toilet is located on the ground floor.
• A small elevator services the two levels.
• Large power wheelchairs & mobility scooters may require the service elevator to gain access to the second level.
• All spaces are large & easy to navigate.

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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

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CRESWICK WOOLLEN MILL

Railway Parade, Creswick

• The entire mill building area is a flat concrete floor.
• All of 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.

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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.

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BALLARAT BOTANICAL GARDENS

114 Gillies Street North, Ballarat

• The Ballarat Botanical Gardens are situated opposite Lake Wendouree.
• There is disabled parking at both ends of the garden.
• The parking bays at the Nursery Drive end have an extended area behind them making them suitable for rear loading vans.
• The terrain is flat making it easily accessible to wheelchair & mobility device users as well as slow walkers.
• The surface of the paths through the gardens are either asphalt or fine, hard packed red gravel.
• Seating is provided at regular intervals throughout the gardens, as are wheelchair drinking fountains.
• Accessible toilets are provided at both ends of the garden adjacent to the disabled parking areas.

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Mount Mitchell Estate

When arriving at the National Trust listed bluestone homestead (1861), the grass carpark is on the left. Access to the main homestead and to all areas of the property are via gravel pathways so assistance will be necessary. All areas from carpark and front area are flat with no steps, however there are two steps to access the vegetable garden at rear of the homestead.

Access to building where tea will be served is via a slightly raised threshold at front door opening up into a level floorspace. However, flooring is paved due to age of building some assistance maybe necessary, seating is open at standard tables.

Unfortunately, due to the age of the homestead there are no disabled toilets available and limited standard toilets. Therefore, it is best to plan toilets before arriving, which are located close by at Waubra Reserve. There are ambulant toilets available which are at the front RHS are accessed by a gravel roadway, the surface is uneven so assistance will be necessary.

If further help is required for preplanning, please contact the venue who are here to help ensure you have a lovely visit on ph.: 0400899075.

Post Office Gallery

The Post Office Gallery front entry which is on Sturt Street has steep incline which may be hard to access with assistance.

However, the gallery can be accessed with assistance via the Building P archway on Lydiard Street. Turn right once pass the archway and follow path down to metal walkway on the RHS then door on the right. Call for assistance and Shelley the curator can lead you through to the gallery section, all flooring throughout building is open and flat without steps.

The gallery section is open and spacious level floor and easy to move around unassisted.

Access to the accessible toilet is through same passageway when first entering if assistance is necessary, please ask staff.

If further help is required for preplanning, please contact gallery curator Shelley who is here to help ensure you have a lovely visit on ph.: (03) 5327 8615.