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.
Where to eat, drink & stay
Ballarat is a perfect backdrop 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.
If you’re from outside of Ballarat and looking for some local travel inspiration and information, check out our valued tourism partners for places to stay, suggested bars, restaurants and entertainment for the whole family.
RACV Goldfields Resort
Stay overnight at RACV Goldfields Resort during the festival, use promo code FOTO2023 to save 15%. T & C’s apply.The George Hotel
1 min walk to Festival HubQuest Ballarat Station
5 min walk to Festival HubStay at Quest Ballarat Station during the festival, use promo code FOTO2023 to save 12%. Conditions apply.
Hotel Vera
10 min walk to Festival HubMitchell Harris
5 min walk to Festival Hub
Mount Langi Ghiran
45 min drive to BallaratBallarat Municipal Observatory and Museum
6 minute drive from Festival HubBallarat Trades Hall
3 minutes walk to Festival HubBallarat Welcome Centre
15 minute walk to Festival HubBibo Cafe & Restaurant
10 minute walk to Festival HubCafe Lekker
6 minute walk to Festival HubCollins Booksellers
1 minute walk to Festival HubCraig's Royal Hotel
3 minute walk to Festival HubCreative Framing Gallery
3 minute walk to Festival HubDrive Cafe
3 minute drive to Festival HubEastern Peake Vineyard Cellar Door
24 minute drive to Festival HubEllington's Wine Bar & Rooftop
6 minute walk to Festival HubEureka Centre Ballarat
7 minute drive to Festival HubEverybody Knows Books
3 minute walk to Festival HubFairbanks Eye Gallery
15 minute walk to Festival HubFika Coffee Brewers
6 minute walk to Festival HubGrainery Lane
4 minute walk to Festival HubHattie and the Wolf
4 minute drive to Festival HubHomeground Cafe
2 minute walk to Festival HubHop Temple
5 minute walk to Festival HubHotel Canberra
4 minute drive to Festival HubHydrant Food Hall
5 minute walk to Festival HubIl Piccolo Gelato
2 minute walk to Festival HubIneXterior Cafe
6 minute walk to Festival HubIrish Murphy's Ballarat
3 minute walk to Festival HubJohnny Alloo
15 minute walk to Festival HubKilderkin Distillery
4 minute drive to Festival HubL'espresso Ballarat
7 minute walk to Festival HubLydiard General
9 minute walk to Festival HubMaggie and Kate
14 minute drive to Festival Hub
Mercure Ballarat - Hotel and Convention Centre
5 minute drive to Festival HubMidtown Cellars and Bar
6 minutes walk to Festival HubMorton & Co
6 minute walk to Festival HubMr Jones Dining
10 minutes walk to Festival HubNorth Britain Hotel
16 minute walk to Festival HubOdessa at Leaver's Hotel
18 minutes drive to Festival HubOxygen College
12 minute walk to Festival Hub
P. Frangos & Sons
4 minute walk to Festival HubRacers Bar and Cafe
5 minute drive to Festival HubRadmac Office Choice
7 minute walk to Festival HubRegent Cinemas
1 minute walk to Festival HubRenard
2 minute walk to Festival HubRoy Hammond
4 minute walk to Festival HubSchnitz Ballarat
4 minutes walk to Festival HubSovereign Hill Gift Store
5 minute drive to Festival HubStudio g.a.s Ballarat
3 minute drive to Festival Hub
The Botanical House Ballarat
5 minute drive to Festival HubThe Forge Pizzeria
4 minute walk to Festival HubThe Grand Ballarat
5 minute walk to Festival HubThe Known World Bookstore
9 minute walk to Festival HubMarket Hotel
8 minute drive to Festival HubThe North Star Hotel
9 minute walk to Festival HubThe Provincial Hotel
5 minute walk to Festival HubThe Shared Table
16 minute drive to Festival HubTin Roof Ballarat
3 minute drive to Festival Hub
The Unicorn Ballarat (foyer)
2 minute walk to Festival Hub