48 Hour Girlfriends Getaway

Transcription

1 48 Hour Girlfriends Getaway ITINERARY Fashion, food, art & shopping Ballarat s season of the arts offers the perfect two-day escape for you and the girls. Take delight in the high-end fashion, boutique shops and contemporary art, stay overnight in one of our luxury hotels and savour some of our region s top drops and fine food. Now there s a getaway to write home about.

2 Your YOUR Itinerary Evening 1 ITINERARY Sleep tight Catch the train to Ballarat and check-in to one of our boutique accommodation providers housed in some of our most historic locales. For a dose of nouveau with a Victorianera twist, check out the newly-renovated Lascelles Terraces or Twelve Errard. Luxury accommodation Ballarat Premier Apartments or the cosy yet contemporary Greenfield Place will also provide the girls with a stunning home base. Wine and dine Get comfortable at one of our award-winning restaurants or wine bars such as The Forge or Catfish Thai. Cosy up by the fire at Mitchell Harris Wines and order yourself a locallyproduced gourmet dinner accompanied by a glass of red. For something a bit more casual, head to Ballarat s newest beer hall Hop Temple or traditional pub The Mallow and indulge in some warming ales and equally warming eats (think toasties, burgers, pizzas and parmas).

3 Day 1 Fashion fix Ballarat s ever-growing boutique shops will leave you speechless with the likes of Blanc, Such N Such and Wen and Ware stocking the most on-trend threads, while retailers including Lark, Antipodean Love, and Gems + Jewels offer a plethora of unique and quirky gift ideas (for yourself of course). Ballarat is also home to Australia s only regional boutique perfumery Sweet Fern. Stocking a range of niche perfumes from Australia and overseas as well as an extensive range of Aesop products, this little shop is full to the brim with charm. A hot tip, make sure to schedule in a perfume masterclass for the girls before your trip. You ll regret it if you don t. Café brilliance Settle in to one of our prized cafes Webster s Market and Café or The Local for a hearty and cosy lunch. Hit up Little Bird for a vintage diner experience (and some delectable donuts), or take up a table at Yellow Expresso and indulge in one of their locally-renowned souvlakis. Girls night out Finish your evening with a night out on the town. Hit up the iconic Her Majesty s Theatre for a theatrical experience with a difference or visit one of several live music venues such as Karova Lounge, Suttons House of Music or The George Hotel s The Lane to catch some of the biggest music acts from Ballarat and beyond. During spring, the city will also play host to the inaugural SongWays Festival from October 13 to 16. The four-day event will celebrate the vibrancy of regional music and showcase some of the best musicians from near and far.

4 Day 2 Immerse yourself in historic and contemporary art Head on into the Art Gallery of Ballarat Australia s oldest regional art gallery. Located in one of the city s most iconic thoroughfares Lydiard Street, the gallery will provide you with a decent dose of history. Take your time as you walk through the permanent collection of historic fine art as well as the indigenous and contemporary art. After you ve looked through the permanent collection, head along to this year s prestigious Archibald Prize featuring portraits of some of Australia s most renowned and controversial subjects. Following your gallery visit, pop into the adjoining Kittelty s café and grab yourself some lunch. The café menu sources local ingredients and the coffee is locally-made. Afterwards, head over to The Lost Ones Gallery and admire the contemporary art housed in an old Masonic lodge. Pamper up Finish off your getaway with some much-needed pampering. Day Spas including Elysium, Rejuvenation Treatment Centre or Sanctuary will give you the relaxing feels you ve been searching for all weekend. If you venture a little further out, Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa also has an array of packages that will suit the girls just fine, thanks very much.

5 Day 3 Discover the hidden gems Explore Ballarat s ever-increasing offering of galleries and museums. Head to The Lost Ones Gallery and delight in the contemporary and quirky art housed in an old Masonic lodge, or scrub up on the city s gold history at the Gold Museum. Venture a little further out and marvel at the works of the artistic Lindsay family at the Creswick Museum. An outdoor twilight affair If you re up for the drive, head out to the Pyrenees where wineries and wonderments are ample. Admire the rolling hills and stunning vineyards before you find your place at a local winery or restaurant and indulge in the best food offerings straight from the paddocks, patches and vines.