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Experience Ballarat at a slower, more refined pace with this thoughtfully curated 2-day boutique escape.
Designed for travellers who value atmosphere, local stories and experiences with a personal touch, this getaway combines a boutique overnight stay at Hotel Vera with a privately hosted high tea in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and our signature Ballarat City Tales walking tour.
Arrive on Tuesday with time to settle into Ballarat before beginning your escape with high tea among the gardens. Stay overnight at beautiful Hotel Vera, then enjoy breakfast before discovering the city with Hidden Lanes on Wednesday morning.
Day 1 — High Tea Lunch, Botanical Gardens & Hotel Vera
Arrive in Ballarat at your leisure before meeting your Hidden Lanes host for a beautifully prepared high tea picnic lunch in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
Enjoy a generous selection of sweet and savoury treats in a relaxed garden setting, followed by time to explore the gardens and their stories.
As part of your Tuesday experience, you’ll also have the opportunity to ride Ballarat’s historic tram through the gardens, adding another little piece of living history to the afternoon.
In inclement weather, your high tea will be relocated to a charming historic indoor setting.
Afterwards, check into Hotel Vera, a beautifully restored boutique heritage residence combining Victorian character with contemporary design. The rest of your evening is yours to enjoy — relax at the hotel, head out for dinner, or explore Ballarat at your own pace.
Day 2 — Breakfast & Ballarat City Tales
Begin Wednesday with breakfast at Hotel Vera before joining our signature Ballarat City Tales walking tour.
Departing at 10:00am, this relaxed, story-led walking experience takes you through hidden laneways, grand heritage streets and unexpected corners of the city, uncovering stories of Ballarat’s gold rush past and the people who shaped the city it became.
Along the way, enjoy a drink at one of Ballarat’s historic venues and receive a locally designed keepsake print to take home.
The tour concludes around lunchtime, leaving you free to enjoy lunch, continue exploring Ballarat or begin your journey home.
What’s Included
- 1 night’s boutique accommodation at Hotel Vera
- Breakfast at Hotel Vera
- Privately hosted high tea picnic in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens
- Historic Ballarat tram ride
- Ballarat City Tales walking tour
- Drink during your City Tales experience
- Locally designed keepsake print
- Curated local recommendations for your stay
Who This Experience Is For
Perfect for couples looking for a special Ballarat getaway, travellers who enjoy history and beautiful places, and visitors who prefer a thoughtfully curated experience without having every moment of their stay scheduled.
Important Information
Instant-book itinerary: Tuesday arrival, Wednesday departure.
High tea takes place on Tuesday afternoon, followed by your overnight stay at Hotel Vera. Ballarat City Tales departs at 10:00am Wednesday; please arrive 10 minutes before departure.
The walking tour covers approximately 1.5 km at a relaxed pace.
High tea is normally held outdoors in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. In unsuitable weather, an alternative historic indoor location will be arranged.
Other dates may be available on request. Please contact Hidden Lanes at hello@hiddenlanes.com.au before booking to enquire about alternative dates.
Dear friend,
Thank you for booking your Hidden Lanes Hotel Vera Escape. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Ballarat for two days of beautiful gardens, local stories, heritage and a little time to slow down.
Here are the details for your stay and experiences.
Day 1 — High Tea Picnic & Hotel Vera
Your experience begins at approximately 12:00pm with your private high tea picnic in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
Picnic meeting location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xVfuiZoEf97ZDDyJA
If you would prefer to begin at 1:00pm or a little later, please contact Emma on 0455 528 733 and we’ll be happy to adjust the time where possible.
Your high tea picnic lunch is included, so there’s no need to eat beforehand. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring clothing suitable for the weather.
If the weather isn’t suitable for an outdoor picnic, we’ll relocate your high tea to a sheltered rotunda or inside Pipers by the Lake and let you know the arrangements.
Hotel Vera
If you’re travelling with luggage, you’re welcome to drop your bags at Hotel Vera before the picnic. The hotel can look after them until it’s time to check in later in the afternoon.
Hotel Vera location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sHz2PPNoaC3Fk2kr8
After your Botanical Gardens experience, check into Hotel Vera and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your own pace.
Breakfast at Hotel Vera is included the following morning.
Day 2 — Ballarat City Tales
After breakfast, join us for our signature Ballarat City Tales walking tour at 10:00am.
Please meet your guide at:
St Paul’s Anglican Church
Bakery Hill, Ballarat
Please arrive 5–10 minutes before the 10:00am departure.
During the tour, you’ll explore Ballarat’s historic streets and hidden laneways while discovering stories of the people and events that shaped the city. A coffee, chai or hot chocolate and a Hidden Lanes keepsake print are also included.
If you have any questions before your visit, please feel free to get in touch.
We hope you have a wonderful journey to Ballarat and look forward to sharing this special escape with you.
Warm regards,
Emma & Jarrod
Hidden Lanes Slow Travel
