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3BED| 3BATH| WOOD FIRE| AIR-CON | SLEEPS 8 | OFF STREET PARKING | PET FRIENDLY

Family-friendly holiday home in Ballarat

Photo gallery for 3BED| 3BATH| WOOD FIRE| AIR-CON | SLEEPS 8 | OFF STREET PARKING | PET FRIENDLY

MODERN EXTENSION -INDOOR | OUTDOOR LIVING AND DECKED AREA WITH BBQ
LIVING ROOM - RELAX ON THE SOFA BY THE FIRE, NETFLIX AND GOOGLE CHROME CAST INCL
ENJOY INDOOR \ OUTDOOR LIVING - THE PERFCT ENTERTAINERS HOME.
INDOOR | OUTDOOR LIVING - THE IDEAL SET UP ON A BALMY SUMMERS EVENING!
SITTING ROOM - THE PERFECT ROOM TO ESCAPE FOR A READ, NAP OR A QUIET DRINK.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
Ballarat Central, VIC
  • Place, Ballarat Town Hall
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, St John of God Hospital Ballarat
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, Ballarat Base Hospital
    ‪12 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Bunk Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

3BED| 3BATH| WOOD FIRE| AIR-CON | SLEEPS 8 | OFF STREET PARKING | PET FRIENDLY

"The Californian" Ballarat, is a beautiful 1920's Californian Bungalow that has been fully renovated with all the luxury modern conveniences whilst paying homage to and retaining its breathtaking original period features.

The property is centrally located on Dana Street, within walking distance to the CBD, Sturt Street,Shopping, Cafe's & Restaurants, The Art's & Theatre Precinct, Lake Wendouree, Ballarat Base and St Johns Private Hospitals, and Ballarat Central Train/ Bus Station.

The space
The facade of "The Californian" retains its period charm and includes a welcoming Entry with original lead light doors and high ceiling, 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 2 Living Zones, Dining, Meals, large Outside Deck/BBQ area and mesmerising French Cheminees Philippe wood fired heater.

The modern extension at the rear of the property is the main Living and Entertaining zone.

An open plan Kitchen with separate Meals area. Complete with Asko and Miele appliances make it the heart of the home and is very well equipped for keen entertainers. It overlooks the 8 seat Dining Table, Living Room with King Living sofa and wood fired heater.

The home has 2 large En-suite Bathrooms and a central Family Bathroom with Soaking Tub. All bathrooms have monsoonal Rain Shower Heads.

The "Sitting Room" is our second Living Zone. The beautiful light filled room is a perfect space for relaxing with a book and a cuppa or an afternoon nap!

A European laundry located in the homes hallway is equipped with Miele Washing Machine and Condenser Dryer.

The Outdoor Decked area is large and fully enclosed for your privacy. An outdoor Dining Setting and Weber BBQ (gas included) complete a Summer's day experience.

The Californian has off street tandem parking for 2 cars, with access off Lyons Street South.

The Californian is a pet friendly home!

• Price per night is based on up to 4 guests.

• Additional charges are $50 per person per night after thereafter.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Port-a-Cot and High Chair provided
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Events

No events allowed
No Parties
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Pets

Pets allowed
Up to 2 Dogs
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking inside will incur loss of damage deposit

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: No Parties
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

Ballarat

Located in Ballarat, this holiday home is in the city centre. Sovereign Hill and Her Majesty's Theatre are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Eureka Aquatic Center and Ballarat Bird World. Travelling with kids? Consider Park Lake Gardens, or check out an event or a game at Eureka Stadium.
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Map
Ballarat Central, VIC

What's nearby

  • Ballarat Town Hall - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Her Majesty's Theatre - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • St John of God Hospital Ballarat - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Ballarat Base Hospital - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Lake Wendouree - 17 min walk - 1.5 km

Getting around

  • Ballarat Station - 14 min walk
  • Melbourne, VIC (AVV-Avalon) - 78 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Frangali's Kafeeneo - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Midtown Cellars and Bar - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Chequers Chippery - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Country Roasts Cafe - ‬7 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is 3BED| 3BATH| WOOD FIRE| AIR-CON | SLEEPS 8 | OFF STREET PARKING | PET FRIENDLY pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at 3BED| 3BATH| WOOD FIRE| AIR-CON | SLEEPS 8 | OFF STREET PARKING | PET FRIENDLY?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 3BED| 3BATH| WOOD FIRE| AIR-CON | SLEEPS 8 | OFF STREET PARKING | PET FRIENDLY?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 3BED| 3BATH| WOOD FIRE| AIR-CON | SLEEPS 8 | OFF STREET PARKING | PET FRIENDLY?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is 3BED| 3BATH| WOOD FIRE| AIR-CON | SLEEPS 8 | OFF STREET PARKING | PET FRIENDLY located?

Located in the centre of Ballarat, this family-friendly holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of St Patrick's Cathedral, Her Majesty's Theatre and Ballarat Town Hall. Art Gallery of Ballarat and St John of God Hospital Ballarat are also within 15 minutes. Ballarat Station is 14 minutes by foot.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 46 out of 46 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 46 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Nicole M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous weekend away for a wedding..Every inch of the property is exquisite and attention to detail incredible. The stained glass is just beautiful and 3 bathrooms made things so easy for a group. Our cavoodle loved it too, especially snoring by the wood fire. Highly recommend !
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really loved our stay at The Californian in Ballarat. The house was just beautiful. Loved the mix of old character from the original house and the modern renovations and extension. Perfect mix. Everything we could need was provided and we were very comfortable and happy. Would not hesitate in recommending to others. We would love to return someday. Thank you Alastair and Glen
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jill G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Coziness Plus

The house is just beautiful, the beds are so comfortable and the kitchen is better equiped than any place we have ever stayed.The fireplace and excellent heating made for lovely cozy evenings.Just one small suggestion would be some folding suitcase racks in the bedrooms to make accessing your belongings a bit easier.Overall I couldn’t recommend The Californian highly enough.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kylie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Californian 11/10

Our second stay here, we love this property. Great layout that enables kids and adults to have their own zone. So many lovely touches - coffee pods, nice toiletries, firewood prepared, milk in the fridge etc - it really feels like visiting friends. The house is beautifully decorated and really well located. Hosts are fabulous communicators and check-in and check-out are very well organised. Looking forward to visiting again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Brilliant property

A wonderful house! Fully renovatedto such a high standard. Attention to detail is amazing. The house is immaculately clean. Its spacious and comfortable. So much thought has gone into the renovation. Incredibly comfortable. Easily the best property that we have stayed in over many years. Excellent location too - quiet but so close to the main street of Ballarat. I cannot recommend this one highly enough! Can't wait to return. Thanks to the hosts - they are so helpful and communicative.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gemma B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Well appointed, exceptionally clean and functional. It was a delight staying at the. Californian, thankyou.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The most magical and perfect house. 7 stars to be honest - well equipped - everything was there! Amazing kitchen, beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms - super comfy couch and the fire place that was stocked. Superb location. Just magnificent. Can't wait to stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katrina S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful, stylish, well equipped property with everything you need, including great heating for the cold Ballarat weather! Thank you.I can highly recommend a stay here.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sharon W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a small dog with us which made the stay even better. The house was beautifully decorated and very clean. Having the fire on was fantastic. A wonderful place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mikki O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous house, nicely renovated and very comfortable. We had a great time. Loved our time in this wonderful home.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Amazing.

We had a glorious stay! A stunning property immaculately kept. The photos are wonderful but once you see this property in person when you walk through the door, it's like wow! Beautiful Californian with so much character. It also has a modern feel with the bathrooms and back area of the house obviously fully renovated. Plenty of space for the family to spread out also and large bedrooms. All the linen was beautiful, beds comfy, kitchen amazing with everything you would ever need to cook and prepare meals. Soap, shampoo, toilet paper etc. included. Fireplace was divine with plenty of wood. Loved the outdoor deck where we enjoyed a coffee each morning. We took our elderly pooch, and he loved it also. Location was spot on. Easy walk to main part of town, shops and restaurants. Our hosts also made themselves readily available if we needed anything or had any questions. I could go on and on. We had the most relaxing stay :):) Thank you for sharing this "amazing" property!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patrick M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved it

Was really impressed with this venue and communication with the owners was amazing.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diane V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Host and home fantastic

Thanks for a wonderful stay. Alastair is a very thoughtful host. Everything was perfect and the place was even better than the photos showed. Location and parking a breeze and perfect for getting around Ballarat. The home had every comfort we needed. Ample room for dining, lounging and being outside on the deck. The area is quiet. An ideal place whether you are on the move or just want to relax and chill.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Short stay in Ballarat

We loved our stay. Check in was clear with extra details to make it even easier. The house is beautifully furnished, styled and equipped. The beds incredibly comfortable and bathrooms hotel like. Our parents joined us for a meal which worked very well with the large dining table that comfortably seats 8. Location quiet yet a stone’s throw from all that Ballarat has to offer - shops, restaurants and bars. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janine W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Highly recommended

Beautiful accommodation. Plenty of room for seven adults. Great living spaces with outdoor deck. We spent breakfast on the deck. Kitchen was well equiped and very clean. The three full bathrooms were a great bonus. Easy access to the property. Very central location. The communication with the owners was fantastic. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sherine l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming Period Home

Really nice property to stay at. Great location, clean property, plenty of heating options and well stocked kitchen.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angus D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house, perfect location

The house is beautiful with a fully stocked kitchen and great fireplace. Very easy to walk to cafes and restaurants. Friendly and responsive hosts made it a great stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Californian is Great!

We were very impressed with the property. It felt comfortable the minute we walked in. The cleanliness, layout, styling, kitchen and furnishings were the best we have experienced. We dined in and the dinneware and glasswares were excellent and plentiful. We liked the bar table in the kitchen for our pre-dinner drinks and breakfast because we could chat and prepare food at the same time. The fireplace and location were great too! Thank you to the hosts for a great stay. Lisa & Noel
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful home, great location

The Californian is a beautiful home in a great location. Perfect for our group of six ladies. Great hosts made sure all our needs were catered for. Highly recommended!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tony I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Delivered all that was advertised plus more

Great spot, clean, exceptional presentation and touch to the whole decor. Perfect location and host. Highly recommended for couples and families
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Annette P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Annette

Thank you for a lovely stay, the house was perfect.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sue R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful place to stay

Have stayed at this house a number of times and there are many reasons why. It has the best hosts we have ever encountered and their communication is superb. The house is always extraordinarily clean, walking distance to great cafes and restaurants, the Lake and also Victoria Park which incidentally has a fantastic children’s playground. To be honest if we didn’t have to eat, I would be very happy just longing around this house all day. We love it!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aaron D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Perfect Ballarat Accommodation

We stayed at The Californian this past weekend as part of birthday celebrations with a friend. Alastair and Glen are fabulous hosts. Their communication was absolutely spot on, and they were promptly available if you needed them for anything during the stay. The accommodation is spectacular. We have visited Ballarat on many occasions and stayed in other hosted properties and a Luxury Boutique hotel, and I can comfortably say that this is the best place we have stayed. The fitout and quality of furniture and amenities is first class. The location is excellent, with a 5 minute walk to the restaurants and bars, and the outdoor area is fabulous (when the Ballarat weather is in a good mood). We would absolutely stay at The Californian again. Thanks Alastair and Glen for having us.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sue R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just amazing!

Stayed at this amazing property earlier this month and have just re booked! From the moment you walk in it is apparent the owners not only have great syle but have thought of every thing that you would desire in a home away from home - attention to detail is fabulous particularly in the kitchen and bathrooms. The house is spotless with high quality appliances, linens etc, all making the house so very comfortable and functional. Heating is superb! The house is also well positioned close to the city centre enabling a short walk to some of Ballarat's best cafes and restaurants. Alistair and Glen have also left a list of recommended eating out venues that we tried and they did not disappoint! A short walk to Lake Wendouree, and only 3 mins further you can be walking around Victoria Park. Absolutely the best place to stay if you want to immerse yourself in all that Ballarat has to offer.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessa B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Most beautiful stay in Ballarat

From the moment we walked in we were absolutely blown away with this house. Not only was everything absolutely spotless with only the highest quality household decor & linens - the home is a masterpiece. Every detail has been thought about carefully - the home is beautiful, functional and so comfortable. I also loved the beautiful quirky vintage pieces around the home - they added so much personality to the stay. There are a lot of nice places to stay, however this one is really special and such an experience in itself. Whoever is responsible for the interior design has a gift. The beautiful hosts had amazing communication following up, checking in and were really organised even when we wanted to add an extra night to our stay last minute. The beds were absolutely lush - with beautiful pillows and soft sheets. You can tell the hosts really genuinely care and have gone over and above with all the beautiful, quality details you will find. Thank you so much for such a beautiful stay - our family will remember it forever and we will be recommending you to everyone!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

About the host

Hosted by ALASTAIR AND GLEN

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