Ballarat

City in Victoria, Australia, 112 km/70 mi northwest of Melbourne; population (2001) 73,000. It is Victoria's largest inland city, the third-largest city of the state, and is an important railway junction. Industries include the manufacture of agricultural machinery, fibreglass, and paper; champagne, cheese, and lavender are produced in the area and tourism is important. Ballarat was founded in the 1851 gold rush, after the discovery of the largest gold reserves in Australia.

The mining village and workings have been restored for tourists, and there is a gold museum. The Eureka Stockade miners' revolt took place here in 1854.

Ballarat is 457m/139 ft above sea level, and has a pleasant climate. The Ballarat Wildlife Park includes a large collection of Australian wildlife including kangaroos, emus, wombats, birds, and snakes.