Did this train trip on a weekday as that, from my reading, means it’s off-peak prices (assuming you do similar times to me). Pays to check.

My main purpose was to revisit the excellent Ballarat Art Gallery. It has a marvellous collection of Australian Art and is only about 5 minutes stroll from the main Ballarat train station. In fact, I don’t think I was ever more than about 15 minutes walk from the station during this whole trip.

This is a journey you can (must?) do using a Myki. You must top up well before you go, I’d suggest the day before. I paid full fare and it was $26.88 Return. Here’s a quick summary of the fun day:

Time Item
8:43 am Train from North Williamstown to Footscray
9:17 am V/Line Train leaves for Ballarat
10:33 am Train arrives at Ballarat (stops all stations)
– Walk south down Lydiard St. Morning tea at one of the cafes
– Visit Art Gallery in Lydiard St
– Continue south towards Highway (Sturt St). Lunch here or nearby. A few nice places on South side of Sturt St (see Notes below)
– Some post-lunch shopping and exploring of the area
1:12 pm V/Line Train leaves Ballarat back to Melbourne
2:17 pm V/Line Train arrives at Footscray (semi-express, picked on purpose)
3:23 pm Train leaves Footscray towards Williamstown
3:33 pm Train Arrives back at North Williamstown

Other notes:

  • I had lunch at DaVinci’s Italian Cafe which is at 29 Sturt Street. I loved it. They had a ‘main and drink’ lunch special

  • The Art Gallery of Ballarat web site has some useful information, including on their current exhibitions.

  • I walked to the station from home. So this journey was almost exactly like someone would have done 100+ years ago.