Ballarat to Ararat distance, driving time & best stops

The Ballarat to Ararat drive covers a 93km distance, with a driving time of around 1h4m. The best road trip stops along the way are Beaufort and Mount Buangor State Park.

The drive from Ballarat to Ararat connects two Victorian towns with a proud gold-mining heritage. The main reason to visit Ararat these days is the ghost tours of the former J Ward Lunatic Asylum.

To reserve your Ararat ghost tour with instant confirmation and mobile-friendly tickets, book here.

Ballarat to Ararat distance and driving time

The distance from Ballarat to Ararat is 93km. You can expect a driving time of around one hour and four minutes.

4 Ballarat experiences to book in advance ⬇️

Sovereign Hill tickets – visit Australia’s best open air museum. Give it a full day, too – there’s so much to see and do.
Ballarat Wildlife Park entry – meet loads of cute native Aussie animals.
Kryal Castle admission – enjoy a bizarre knights in armour theme park.
Beer-making course – learn to brew, with tastings and lunch thrown in.

The drive is almost entirely along the Western Highway, and forms a section of the longer Melbourne to Halls Gap road trip.

Ballarat to Ararat road trip: Lake Burrumbeet and Beaufort

Attractions along the Ballarat to Ararat drive include Lake Burrumbeet, which has an appealing lakeside park.

The most appealing town along the route, however, is Beaufort. It’s a place lined with handsome 1850s buildings and quirky antiques shops.

Other things to do in Beaufort include picnicking or fishing at Beaufort Lake and smelling the flowers at the Beaufort Memorial Rose Garden.

Ballarat to Ararat drive: Mount Buangor State Park and Mount Langi Ghiran winery

A little further along the drive to Ararat is Mount Buangor State Park, which has several good walking trails. And many of them are blessed with kangaroos, echidnas and koalas.

The 1km walk from the Ferntree campground, passing Cascade Falls and Ferntree Falls, is a highlight reel for the time-pressed.

Langi Ghiran State Park is next. There are fine views from the Reservoir Lookout, and the Mount Langi Ghiran winery is just at the eastern edge.

Shortly afterwards, you’ll arrive in Ararat.

If you’ve got time in Ballarat beforehand, the unquestioned highlight is Sovereign Hill. To save queuing when you get there, book your tickets online.