To the immediate south of Ballarat's marvellous 1862 roofed railway station, the Lydiard and Camp Streets area is chock-full of solid bluestone and brick buildings dating from around 1860 to 1900 or so.

Admire both streetscapes. Great for the photography boffin.

The Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, a historic hotel, pleasant cafes and an olde-style cinema complex (The Regent) are among the many buildings worthy of note in Lydiard Street, while Camp Street has more of an emphasis on government buildings. There is a small plaza linking the two if you look hard enough.

Best of all, it costs nothing except your time to look!