Gold rush heritage, wildlife adventures and gourmet goodness, the Goldfields region dazzles in different ways every day.

Born in the 1850s gold rush and shaped by generations since, Ballarat is a bubbling hub of commerce, art, culture and leafy gardens. Turn history’s page and discover a golden past and glittering present perfectly merged.

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat’s much-awarded recreated gold rush town and outdoor museum, tops the list for most visitors. Spend a day (or two) exploring its tunnels, shops, streetscapes and swag of experiences – panning for gold, dipping candles the old-fashioned way, riding a stage coach through the busy street, or going underground on a fully guided Secret Chamber tram ride.

In town, wander history-rich thoroughfares and hidden laneways. You’ll find galleries, eateries and architecture harking back to a bygone era.

Wander in The Ballarat Wildlife Park where more than 100 kangaroos roam free, and dozens of other animal exhibits will have you reaching for your camera.

For a journey back into an opulent past, try The Provincial Hotel a bespoke boutique hotel with its signature restaurant Lola using only the best of regional food and wine. Hotel Vera is located in a 19th-century mansion in the heart of Ballarat and merges moderninity and sustainability.

In outlying villages, seek local haunts – eateries reflecting the land and the artisans who make the most of it. Find a treasure trove of boutique wineries in the Pyrenees and Ballarat wine regions, and a myriad of eating places, both in town and further afield, from gastro pubs and fine restaurants to cafés and pizzerias.

Drive west to the Grampians or east through Daylesford to Melbourne.