And even more Ballarat...

I heard that it actually snowed in Ballarat today, but when we were there it was just COLD! Lol

After the MADE visit we headed to the war memorials to take a photo of the wall of POW names for Alison, a friend of mine from school days; specifically the section with her dad's name...

Then we headed for the Botanical Gardens...and being a Sunday, the vintage tram was running...

There was a lovely craft/art show in that amazing building in the collage below...

We both loved the Prime Ministers' walk last time we visited these gardens. And there is another relative of my friend Alison here...the first Prime Minister, Edmund Barton. 

DH heading off down the walkway, 'reacquainting himself' with the former PMs...

Australia has had lots of upheavals on the federal political scene with PMs being changed rapidly at one stage. Last time we were in Ballarat the first female Prime Minister was in office but her statue wasn't there. Now it is, but we've had 2 PMs since then and their statues are obviously still works in progress 😉.  

I think just like parks in Queensland, the Ballarat Botanical Gardens may have problems with possums, hence the barrier on the trunk of this tree??

I loved the bark on this tree...

We were quite cold after our little walk around the Gardens so we checked out Pipers Cafe across the road...

We'd seen some swans waddling around beside the road so I was chuffed when I saw my coffee 😃

After a warm drink and some scones we walked along a tiny part of Lake Wendouree's shoreline, which was just behind Pipers. Beautiful! 

Those boat sheds in the distance were used as a Dr Blake Mysteries location. 

After this we went up to the Lookout on Black Hill...great views of the town between the trees.

And in this area around Black Hill there are tracks for trail bikers...

Some opportunities for some hair raising rides there I think...but not for me!