What to know about Ballarat
- Most of Ballarat's bus services use the central bus interchange next to Ballarat Railway Station, which passengers can reach from Lydiard Street or Nolan Street.Source: City of Ballarat
- Upgrades to Ballarat Railway Station began in January 2025. The City of Ballarat directs travellers to the state's Big Build project page for changes to bus services and parking during the works.Source: City of Ballarat
- For an AFL match at the Creswick Road stadium in May 2023, the City of Ballarat announced a drop-off and pick-up zone directly outside Gate 2 on Creswick Road.Source: City of Ballarat
- For the 2023 Begonia Festival parade on Monday 13 March, Wendouree Parade was closed from Carlton Street to St Aidans Drive from 6.30am until at least 12.30pm.Source: City of Ballarat
- In Victoria, drivers of commercial tour and charter bus services need driver accreditation from Safe Transport Victoria, which requires a full Victorian licence, at least six months on a full Australian or New Zealand licence, medical fitness to drive a bus and a national criminal history check.Source: Safe Transport Victoria
- The Ballarat Significant Urban Area had 111,973 people at the 2021 Census.Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Around Ballarat Railway Station
The station precinct is the hub of Ballarat's bus network. The City of Ballarat's transport guide says most local bus services use the central interchange next to Ballarat Railway Station, reached from Lydiard Street or Nolan Street. The same guide notes that station upgrades began in January 2025 and points to the state's Big Build project page for changes to bus services and parking while the works continue. If your Ballarat group is meeting near the station, check those notices and give the operator a clear pickup street.
Event days in Ballarat
Big days change the street layout. For an AFL match in May 2023, the City of Ballarat announced a drop-off and pick-up zone directly outside Gate 2 on Creswick Road. For the 2023 Begonia Festival parade, Wendouree Parade was closed from Carlton Street to St Aidans Drive from 6.30am until at least 12.30pm on Monday 13 March. Arrangements vary from year to year, so tell the operator the event and the time you need to arrive near Lake Wendouree or the stadium.
Victorian driver rules and the Ballarat area
Safe Transport Victoria requires drivers of commercial tour and charter buses to hold driver accreditation, which calls for a full Victorian licence, at least six months on a full Australian or New Zealand licence, medical fitness and a national criminal history check. You can ask the operator to confirm it. The Ballarat Significant Urban Area counted 111,973 people at the 2021 Census, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Requests come from Wendouree, Alfredton, Sebastopol, Delacombe, Mount Clear and Miners Rest.
Ready to move your Ballarat group? Send a request with the date and headcount.
Ballarat charter hire: questions
Can a charter bus collect a group from Ballarat Railway Station during the upgrade?
The City of Ballarat says changes to bus services and parking during the Ballarat Railway Station upgrade are published on the state's Big Build project page. Check it before the day and agree a nearby street with the operator.
Does a Ballarat request cover Buninyong and Miners Rest?
Yes. Buninyong, Miners Rest, Canadian and Brown Hill all route to this Ballarat page. Enter the pickup town and choose VIC.