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Buninyong
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Buninyong is considered to be one of the first inland towns in the Australian state of Victoria. The town has a population of about 1,800, and is located at the foot of Mount Buninyong, about 120 kilometers west of Melbourne, and about 10 kilometers south of central Ballarat. Buninyong village began to develop around 1840, and grew quickly when gold was discovered near the village in August 1851. Only a small amount of gold was found in the Buninyong area, but the first gold discoveries lead to that a large amount of gold was found in the area near Ballarat. When the gold rush was over, Buninyong became an agricultural center, and in 1994 the town was merged into the city of Ballarat. Buninyong attracts a lot of visitors when festivals and markets are held in the town. The Gold King Festival, which is held on the 3rd weekend in February each year, includes concerts, market stalls, art exhibits, and a street parade. Other popular events are the Film Festival which is held in the Town Hall on the 1st weekend in May each year, and the Farmer's Market which is held in the Desoza Park on the 3rd Saturday each month. The town also attracts many visitors because of its botanical garden, which is a popular place for picnic meetings, relaxation, and recreational activities. The garden were established in the 1860s, and features plants from around the world, barbecue facilities, a playground, and a beautiful fishing lake. The volcano Mount Buninyong is also a popular attraction in the region. The extinct volcano offers walking tracks, a picnic area in the crater, and spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. And the region offers great opportunities for bird watching both at Mount Buninyong and also in Ballarat Bird World which is located 2 kilometers north of Buninyong. Ballarat Bird World features three waterfalls, scenic walkways, an outdoor cafe, and a large number of different birds, including many species of parrots.
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