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. 

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.
• More Information: Art Gallery of Ballarat | Art Gallery of Ballarat

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)

MINERS 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
  

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)

SHIPPING CONTAINER – Corner Doveton and Sturt Street, Ballarat – A Wadawurrung Dja, Mount Buninyong and Mount Elephant Dreamtime Story

• This is a Converted Shipping Container
• It has been transformed into a Sensory and Visual experience.
• Recorded Audio on loop
• There is Wheelchair access by the way of a ramp.
• Seating is available within the container.
• Nearest Accessible toilets located at Town Hall during Business Hours
• More information:   Accessibility | City of 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