Ballarat sits at 435 metres and is noticeably cooler than Melbourne — summer maxes around 26°C, winter minimums often below freezing with the occasional skiff of snow. The town is at its prettiest in autumn (April–May), when the plane trees on Sturt Street and around the lake turn gold and red; and in late spring when the botanical gardens are in bloom.
Begonia Festival in early March packs the gardens. Heritage Weekend in late May opens private buildings on Lydiard Street that you cannot normally see inside. Winter in Ballarat is cold but the Sovereign Hill Winter Wonderlights show in the evenings has become a serious draw. Mid-summer is the slowest tourist season — and the warmest weather of the year.