Canberra to Ballarat

I often travel this distance and the best way is via Hume Hwy to Melb. continue via the ring road and turn off at the well marked exit to Ballarat.There is no shorter way and very confusing roads if you try to shortcut..Watch your speed as there are fixed cameras on the freeways. Have a good drive ..Murranji

Hi Steven,
If you plan to come down the Hume Hwy, you could turn off at the Broadford exit and go via Kilmore, Lancefield, Woodend, Tylden, Trentham, Lyonville, Daylesford, Creswick and then Ballarat, this would be a more scenic route, but some parts of the road is narrower and hence slower travelling.

Or, you could continue on down the Hume hwy to Melb. taking the Craigieburn bypass (well sign posted) until you come to the Western Ring Road, keep in the right hand lanes to enter the Western Ring Road and continue on for about 23 kms and exit left to the Western Hwy (Ballarat Rd). Turn right onto Western Hwy and continue on to Ballarat (approx 95 klms) At least with this route it is Freeway/Highway all the way, (80, 100, 110 klms/hr)

Hope this helps and have a great holiday,
Cheers,
John

Well that's ok mate , follow the Hume to Craigieburn Bypass, then right onto the ring road and hop off at the Western Fwy and straight out to Ballarat would be much much quicker than winding your way through Dayelsford etc

Steven,

I live in Ballarat and travel to Sydney regularly.

Both ways as described by John D are the recommended ways. It would depend for me what time I was going to hit the Ring Rd. If it was during peak hour traffic times then best going via Woodend IMHO. If not during peak traffic then go via the Ring Rd and Western Highway.

Steve.

18 months ago we moved from Ballarat to a place close to Seymour, itself close to the Hume. I have lost track of the times we have travelled back and forth taking the Melbourne route if we leave late on Friday and coming home via Daylesford during the day. In fact we have found the Daylesford way quicker, only by 10-20 minutes though. I prefer the Daylesford way every time, more scenic, no rush, no city! Only take the city way if travelling late as there's lots of bush and kangaroos the Daylesford way.

Cheers,

Mark.

I was in Melbourne recently and went out to do a bit a genealogy in Ballarat and Daylesford. I found it fascinating that they had fast food places ie maccas attached to the service stations that are are tucked well off the freeway. We don't have anything like that over here. Very cool idea.

Peter

Detour through RUTHERGLEN and buy yourself a good port to keep warm in Ballarat