Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

BALLARAT: GOLD-RUSH CITY 571
wicker chairs. Studio rooms are simply but comfortably furnished, and have nice
polished floorboards. The executive doubles are larger and a little plusher. The two
family rooms can sleep four people in two bedrooms. There is a comfortable
library and sitting room with an open fire and tea- and coffeemaking facilities, and
plenty of flowers and art everywhere. Smoking is not allowed on the property.
32 Lydiard St. S., Ballarat 3350. & 03/5332 4678. Fax 03/5332 4698. www.ballarat.com/ansonia.htm. 20
units. A$135 (US$88) double; A$150 (US$98) executive double; A$175 (US$114) suite; A$215 (US$140) family
room; A$210 (US$137) apt. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Restaurant; tour desk; babysitting;
laundry service; same-day dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room: TV, dataport, hair dryer, iron.
Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park This very nice tourist park is a good
option if you are staying around here for a couple of days. There are plenty of campsites
and places to park your motorhome/campervan, lots of pleasant wooden cabins,
green spaces, and shade. The pool’s very nice, too. The park is a stroll to the
main street, and a short drive to the main attractions.
108 Clayton St., Ballarat 3350. & 1800/632 237 in Australia, or 03/5332 7888. www.ballaratgoldfields.com.
au. A$20–A$22 (US$13–US$14) campsite (motorhome/caravan/tent); A$56–A$66 (US$36–US$43) cottage
shared bathroom;A$66–A$80 (US$43–US$52) cottage with bathroom;A$76–A$90 (US$49–US$58) 1-bedroom
villa; A$92–A$105 (US$60–US$68) 2-bedroom cottage. Amenities: Outdoor heated pool; tennis court; Jacuzzi;
children’s playground; barbecues; TV and game rooms; indoor Camp Kitchen; fax facilities; Internet kiosk. In
room: A/C, TV, cooking facilities.
The Sovereign Hill Lodge The colonial-style wooden buildings adjacent to
the Sovereign Hill were built to resemble an 1850s Government Camp that was
used to control (and tax) the mine fields. The residence building has rooms with
queen-size beds and a set of single bunks, and the Offices building has heritage
rooms with four-poster beds and Baltic pine furnishings, some with Jacuzzis.
There are eight double rooms in the Superintendent’s house, while the Barracks
houses dorm rooms that sleep up to eight people. There’s a bar, 24-hour reception,
and a game room. Guests get a 10% discount off entry to Sovereign Hill.
Magpie St., Ballarat, VIC 3350. & 03/5333 3409. Fax 03/5333 5861. www.sovereignhill.com.au. 37 units.
A$126 (US$82) double; A$138 (US$90) heritage room. A$32–A$55 (US$36–US$21) dorm rooms. Extra person
A$14 (US$9.10). Ask about packages. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; spa (in
heritage room); babysitting; laundry service; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV, iron.
WHERE TO DINE
Lake Pavilion Restaurant Café INTERNATIONAL I like this restaurant
across from the Botanical Gardens and on the shores of Lake Wendouree. The
Lake Pavilion was constructed in 1890 and still has that old-world atmosphere,
with polished floorboards and high ceilings. You can eat either indoors or outside,
but either way you have some good views across the gardens and the lake.
The menu includes pizzas, focaccia sandwiches, various pasta dishes, salads,
steaks, and seafood. It’s licensed, but you can also bring your own wine. A kiosk
adjacent to the restaurant sells cheap snacks.
Wendouree Parade (across from the Botanical Gardens). & 03/5334 1811. Main courses around A$11
(US$7.15). AE, MC, V. Daily 9am–6pm. Bus: 15 Mon–Sat.
Robin Hood Family Bistro BISTRO The Robin Hood is located in a big old
pub—not exactly a place where you’d expect to find a bistro catering to healthy
eating. The bistro, though, is a past winner of the Real Meal Award, handed out
by the Australian Hoteliers Association and aimed at promoting healthier pub
food. Everything here is made with low-fat/low-cholesterol ingredients. On the
menu you’ll find steak-and-kidney pie, beef curry, and several types of steak. Not