Plan your visit

BIFB presents The Real Thing, a dynamic view of modern life through the lens of local, national and international photographers and how their images and the channels they use shape us.

Do you see a powerful person, or a person in their power, does their story come through the light in their eyes, their expression, or stance, has the artist opened a window into their soul? Inevitably we all ask ourselves what is this story? What do I really see, what can I learn or make from this experience? How does this influence the way I view my world? Ballarat is a perfect backdrop for this festival, as its businesses, venues, laneways, and historic venues become a full city living exhibition, a trail for visitors to appreciate, something unique at every turn.

Because it’s always best to be prepared, here are a few places you might begin your trip.

Ways to explore the program

Here are a few ways into the program, so you can find what you’re looking for and also happen across a few things you weren’t.

Festival Guides

The official 2023 Festival Guide is available for sale at the Festival Hub in Lydiard Street North. The Festival Guide is $5.00 and contains detailed information about each exhibition, including location maps.

Getting to the Festival

Public Transport

We are striving to deliver a sustainable festival, and encourage you to use public transport where it is safe and viable to do so. Trains and buses run frequently every day from Melbourne and Geelong. Ballarat railway station and bus interchange is just a few minutes walk from the Festival Hub. To plan your journey, use Public Transport Victoria’s Journey Planner or Google Maps.

Parking

Ballarat is a comfortable 90-minute drive from Melbourne along the Western Highway (or only an hour from Melbourne Airport). Once in Ballarat, you’ll find indoor and outdoor photography and events in Lydiard Street and surrounds. There’s plenty of street parking within walking distance of the Festival Hub in Lydiard Street and accessible car spaces are available for permit holders.

During the Festival Where to Eat and Stay

If you’re from outside of Ballarat and looking for some local travel inspiration and information, check out the venues below for suggested bars, restaurants and accommodation.

Rain, Hail or Shine

BIFB is an all-weather festival. We’ll proceed rain, hail, or shine unless it is deemed unsafe to do so. Grab a BIFB yellow umbrella from the Festival Hub.