2-Day Ballarat Boutique Escape: High Tea & Heritage Hotel

Vintage high tea overlooking the lake, a night in a restored Victorian mansion, and hidden laneways of gold-rush Ballarat

This 2-day Ballarat tour pairs a privately hosted vintage high tea picnic in the Botanical Gardens with an overnight stay at Hotel Vera, a beautifully restored heritage residence, and a guided City Tales walking tour uncovering the city's hidden architecture and stories. Breakfast, the high tea with sweet and savoury treats, a historic tram ride, and a signature Hidden Lanes apron and tea towel set are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Historic Architecture Walk & Luxury Stay

• Join Hidden Lanes City Tales walking tour
• Explore Ballarat's gold-rush architecture
• Discover hidden city corners
• Overnight stay at Hotel Vera

Day 2: Vintage High Tea Picnic & Gardens

• Breakfast at Hotel Vera
• Enjoy vintage high tea picnic
• Wander Ballarat Botanical Gardens
• Relax by Lake Wendouree

The experience

The itinerary opens with a guided City Tales walking tour at 10:00 AM on Day 1, moving through Ballarat's hidden laneways and grand gold-rush architecture with a live English-speaking guide who shares the stories of the people who shaped the city. That evening you stay at Hotel Vera, where Victorian character meets contemporary design in a heritage-listed residence. Breakfast is waiting for you the next morning before you leave.

Day 2 centers on a vintage high tea picnic set up in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, overlooking Lake Wendouree. You'll be served sweet and savoury treats on vintage teaware while hearing stories of the gardens themselves, then ride Ballarat's historic tram as part of the experience. The pace is deliberately slow. There's time to wander the Botanical Gardens and enjoy the lakeside without rushing.

What arrives with you at the end is a souvenir Hidden Lanes Black Cockatoo apron and tea towel set, plus a complimentary coffee or hot drink on the morning you leave. The whole arrangement (the picnic, the hotel, the walking tour, the breakfast) is designed to let you experience Ballarat unhurried and personal, without piecing together separate bookings.

What’s included

• Vintage high tea picnic at Lake Wendouree with sweet and savoury treats served on vintage teaware.
• one night's accommodation at Hotel Vera.
• breakfast on Day 2.
• a guided City Tales walking tour of Ballarat's hidden laneways and architecture.
• a ride on the historic tram.
• complimentary coffee or hot drink on the morning you depart.
• Hidden Lanes Black Cockatoo apron and tea towel set.

Options for this experience

2 options

Instant booking available for mid-week datesGuide in English · Available from 26 Oct 2027Breakfast at Hotel Vera and a high tea picnic included in the stay

Instant booking available for mid-week datesGuide in English · 12:00Breakfast at Hotel Vera and a high tea picnic included in the stay

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you check availability.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesdayDeparts at 12:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hidden Lanes

Is this one for you?The City Tales guide speaks English, so you follow the stories and history without translation. The pace across both days is deliberately slow (no rushing between stops, no packed itinerary), which suits anyone who wants to absorb Ballarat's character rather than tick off a checklist.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start.

What happens on the first day of this Ballarat tour?

Day 1 begins with the Hidden Lanes City Tales walking tour at 10:00 AM, where you uncover Ballarat's hidden laneways, grand architecture and the stories of gold-rush Ballarat with a guide. You then check in to Hotel Vera for the night.

What is included in the vintage high tea picnic?

The high tea picnic at Lake Wendouree features sweet and savoury treats served on vintage teaware, stories about the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and a ride on Ballarat's historic tram. It takes place on Day 2 afternoon.

Is breakfast included, and what about other meals?

Breakfast is included on Day 2 morning at Hotel Vera. The vintage high tea picnic on Day 2 afternoon covers that meal. Other meals are not included.

What is Hotel Vera like?

Hotel Vera is a beautifully restored heritage residence where Victorian character meets contemporary design. It is one of Ballarat's most distinctive stays and serves as your accommodation for the single night of this tour.

How much walking is involved in the City Tales tour?

The City Tales walking tour covers Ballarat's hidden laneways and grand architecture on foot. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the overall 2-day experience is designed to be unhurried rather than strenuous.

What souvenir do I take home?

You receive a signature Hidden Lanes Black Cockatoo apron and tea towel set as a souvenir, plus a complimentary coffee or hot drink on Day 2 morning.