Discover Ballarat’s Best-Kept Secrets on Hidden Lanes Walking Tours
Guided walking tours through hidden laneways, historic buildings, and the untold stories of Ballarat’s gold rush.
Scheduled City Tales tours available weekly
Forget the Same Old Tourist Traps… Step Into a Ballarat You Never Knew Existed
Ballarat is more than gold rush stories and historic buildings.
Beneath its grand facades lie hidden laneways, underground secrets, vintage treasures, and forgotten tales, only if you know where to look. But most visitors never uncover the real stories behind this historic city. If you’re looking for a deeply immersive, story-rich experience, you’re in the right place.
View Upcoming Tours or Book a Private Experience
Choose your own Ballarat slow travel adventure
1. City Tales Tour + Coffee (2.5 Hours) Most popular
Step into Ballarat’s laneways, legends, and lost history on our signature walking tour. Includes a coffee or chai at a historic café.
Perfect for: History lovers, couples, friends, families, slow travellers, and first-time visitors.
View Dates →
2. Ballarat Vintage Fashion Tour (3 Hours)
A tour for those who love vintage fashion. Shop Ballarat’s best vintage shopping spots and discover the women who shaped Ballarat’s fashion history
Perfect for: Culture seekers, fashion lovers, and those who love a good story with their shopping. (Launching June 2026)
Book Now →
3. Ballarat Foodie & Gin Distillery Walking Tour (2.5 hours)
Join an intimate, small-group journey into the city’s vibrant foodie and gin culture & history with a light lunch and gin tasting included.
Perfect for: Foodies, slow travellers, first-time visitors, couples, friends
Book Now →
WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY
“Do yourselves a favour and try a Hidden Lanes Ballarat city tour. Very witty and informative…
We explored places not readily accessible to tourists, fascinating and very interesting.”
WHY THESe Hidden Lanes WALKING TOURS ARE DIFFERENT
We take you beyond the surface of Ballarat—into its hidden history, secret spaces, and forgotten stories.
• Real Stories, Not Just Facts
Scandalous tales, underground secrets, and hidden gems most visitors miss.
• Boutique, Small-Group Experiences
An intimate, curated journey—far from crowded buses.
• Beyond the Tourist Trail
From underground bakeries to secret basements, we take you where history still whispers.
• Feel Like an Insider
Explore Ballarat like a local, with expert storytelling guides.
Book Your Hidden Ballarat Experience
Spots are limited! Our tours sell out fast, and group sizes are kept small for a boutique experience.
Don’t miss your chance to discover Ballarat’s best-kept secrets. Book your tour now!
P.S. Got Questions?
Not sure which tour is right for you? Need a private group experience? We’ve got you covered.
📩 Contact us at hello@hiddenlanes.com.au
📞 Book via phone at 0455 528 741
In-person/cash bookings at 119A Sturt Street, Ballarat at The Ballarat Imaginarium
Let’s make your Ballarat experience unforgettable.
Slow travel
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meander along laneways
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buy local produce
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stop and take photos
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soak in the scenery
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Slow travel 〰️ meander along laneways 〰️ buy local produce 〰️ stop and take photos 〰️ soak in the scenery 〰️
thanks to our sponsors
With thanks to local historians Dr. David Waldron and Doug Bradby. This project was made possible by the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.
This tour was developed on the Country of the Wadawurrung who have performed age old cultural ceremonies, celebrations and traditions here for thousands of years. We would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Elders past and present.