On with the (Ballarat) Show at Mount Rowan

12/06/2025

Interior facilities at the new Ballarat Showgrounds in Mount Rowan. A large indoor event space is visible, with grey floors, walls and ceilings and industrial lighting overhead.

There's a new home for agricultural events in Ballarat.

The bigger and better Ballarat Showgrounds are now open for business in Mount Rowan.

Operated by the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society (BAPS), the new showgrounds were brought to life by a $5 million grant via RDV.

Founded in 1856, BAPS has been hosting events and promoting agriculture to locals and visitors for almost 170 years. This legacy has created unforgettable memories for the community and provided a boost to industry and the regional economy in the process.

The tradition is set to continue, thanks to new facilities on site, including an Event and Exhibition Centre that has capacity for more visitors, and a Cattle Pavilion.

The Event and Exhibition Centre is a 300-seat versatile venue. It's suited to host everything, including:

agricultural shows
community gatherings
educational workshops
private events.

The exterior of the grey Ballarat Showgrounds shed, with empty parking spaces visible in the foreground of the shot.

It means BAPS can now host larger shows and events. The facilities will also support an expansion of their education and community engagement work.

A full schedule of events is already planned.

It will start with the Victorian Sheep Show later this month, with the Ballarat Wine Show, Spring Horse Show and Rural Achiever awards to follow.

Then, in November, the feted Ballarat Show returns.

This will reinstate a beloved community event and one that draws visitors of all ages to experience the excitement and unique atmosphere that only the show can provide.

Mount Rowan's facilities will also be available for commercial hire, supporting regional event companies to draw more people to the Central Highlands, in a win for the regional economy.

Meeting room at the new Mount Rowan Showgrounds, with a long wooden table in centre shot, surrounded by chairs, overlooking the road entrance to the showgrounds through the back window.

After years of work, BAPS is excited to see the showgrounds ready to roll.

‘Welcome to the place where the paddock meets the people – where families gather, stories grow, and good times are always in season,’ said a spokesperson for the organisation.

‘The Ballarat Showgrounds and Events Centre is right where it needs to be – at the heart of Ballarat and ready to bring the events industry to life.’

Funding for the new Ballarat Showgrounds forms part of our record support of $47 billion in just over a decade, for rural and regional Victoria.

Our investments mean more locals have jobs close to home, and regional economies are supported to thrive.

It’s part of our commitment to make Ballarat an even better place to live, work, stay and play.