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Hotel review:Hotel Vera,Ballarat,is perfect from bed to breakfast

Just 24 hours at Hotel Vera packs in the spoiling and serenity of a week-long wellness retreat.

  • byPaul Chai
Built in 1909 the art nouveau pub closed its doors in 2007 and lay derelict for years before a meticulous two-and-a-half-year restoration saw it reborn as a boutique 15-room hotel and restaurant.
Hotel Ernest inhabits Bendigo's oldest bank building,dating to 1864.

Hotel Ernest review,Bendigo,Victoria:New hotel a spectacular work in progress

If it's this good as a work in progress,the Hotel Ernest is going to be spectacular – and perhaps a destination unto itself – when the restaurant and bar are installed.

  • byJulietta Jameson
xx1ballarat One & Only Ballarat VIC Victoria; text by Lee Atkinson cr:Visit Victoria (handout downloaded from Visit Victoria,no syndication) Lydiard Street,Ballarat

Ballarat,Victoria travel guide and things to do:Nine highlights

Everything old is new again in Ballarat,a city that excels in imaginative and stylish makeovers and restorations of historic buildings.

  • byLee Atkinson
Head to Rosalind Park in the heart of the city at dusk to get a selfie with the Viva Bendigo installation.

Elvis:Direct from Graceland,Bendigo Art Gallery:Long live the king

Elvis:Direct from Graceland is on at Bendigo Art Gallery,but the city is rocking and rolling with 30 Elvis-inspired experiences right now.

  • byJulietta Jameson
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Battista in Ballarat.

Battista,Ballarat,review:A former church's miracle B&B restoration

It went from Baptist Church,to nightclub,to derelict pigeon haven. Now this graceful property has been beautifully restored.

  • bySue Wallace
Pepper Green Farm.

Bendigo,travel guide and things to do:Nine highlights

This Victorian town boomed during the gold rush era and offers plenty of history,along with art galleries,fine food and more.

  • byJulietta Jameson
Bridgewater Bakehouse's vanilla slice.

Best vanilla slice in Australia:O'Toole's Bridgewater Bakehouse reveals the secret to great pastries

Sure,every country town probably has a bakery claiming their version is the national champ. But the sweet treat created here is the official best.

  • byJulietta Jameson
Step back in time at Sovereign Hill,Ballarat's biggest attraction.

Ballarat,Victoria,UNESCO Creative City:Where history and modernity meet

Ballarat is using the skills and craftmanship of the past to forge a bright future.

  • byPaul Chai
A Murry Paddle steamer comes in to Echuca Wharf.

Echuca,Victoria:How this tiny river town became Australia's largest inland port

There's something romantic about being on board a paddlesteamer,unless you're the poor engineer.

  • byDavid Whitley