Sebastopol
vic 3356

About Sebastopol

On the fringes of Ballarat Central, Sebastopol relishes in its goldfields and European history and now serves as a peaceful haven for just over 10,000 residents.

The Town

Originally known as Bonshaw and renamed Sebastopol in 1855 (after the Ukrainian town Sevastopol which was the site of an important battle in the Crimean War), this sleepy suburb 4km south-west of the Ballarat Central township is a small and beautiful pocket that offers an abundance of friendly residents and all the amenities you could ever need. Once a working-class town that serviced the gold mining fields in Ballarat and its surrounds, the town grew in popularity after 1913 when a tramway was introduced from Sebastopol to the main Ballarat town.

The Numbers

(data taken from 2021 Australian Census, click here for more details)

Population: 10,194

Median Age: 39

Married: 42.6%

Never Married: 31.8%

Couple family without children: 38.9%

Couple family with children: 29.9%

Family households: 57.9%

What To See

Right on the edge of the suburb, Yuilles Wetlands (Greene Drive) is a paradise for birdwatchers, with Pacific Black Ducks, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Rainbow Lorikeets, and Laughing Kookaburras frequenting the area. Marty Busch Reserve (Gladstone Street, Darling Street) has two sporting ovals as well as a popular playground, with the beautiful green space a hub of activity with sport and families on the weekends. Desire a space to stretch your legs on a warm spring day? Have a stroll down the Yarrowee River Trail (access via Bridge Street), which forms part of the Goldfields Track and is a site of ecological significance.

Where To Eat And Drink

Apple turnovers, steak and curry pies, and corned beef salad rolls are just a teaser of what you can enjoy at Curbside Coffee (6/40 Albert Street), which is perfect for a proper sit-down brunch or lunch on the go. Kazan Central Asian Kitchen (202 Albert Street) has a perfect 5-star rating on Google reviews and it’s easy to see why, with this casual yet renowned eatery specialising in Turkish cuisine (don’t sleep on the falafel kebab wrap and shakshuka). First established in 1866 and serving the good people of Sebastopol with pub classics and cold beer, The Royal Mail Hotel (290 Albert Street) is your only choice if you’re hankering for some comforting Australian cuisine. And think a day out at lawn bowls won’t result in a delicious meal, think again! The Sebastopol Bowls Club (213-219 Albert Street) features an amazing bistro open for lunch and dinner with a superb seafood selection including barramundi, prawns, scallops, and calamari.