"Ballarat Reimagined is a visual journey through time, honouring the city's architectural heritage in light and shadow, inspired by the wet plate photographers of the past."
The more time I spend exploring the streets of Ballarat, the more I appreciate the historic buildings that still stand today, each telling its own story from a bygone era. However, few are as old as this one. With the Unicorn Hotel dating back to 1854, this building—marked with the date ‘1859’—stands among Ballarat’s oldest, a rare survivor of the city’s early days.
Unfortunately, many historical buildings have been lost over the years, often due to the high restoration costs, making demolition the easier option. During the 1960s and 1970s, a wave of modernisation led to replacing numerous architectural treasures with cheaply constructed buildings, sacrificing the city’s rich history in the name of progress—albeit a short-lived one. For this reason alone, the ones left standing deserve even greater appreciation.
Whenever I pass this long-surviving stretch at the start of Sturt Street, I can’t help but imagine what life must have been like when these structures first stood proudly against the skyline.
The photo below, taken in 1866, captures Bridge Street just six years after the Edinburgh Buildings were constructed—a rare glimpse into the early days of Ballarat photography and the city’s transformation from a bustling gold rush town to the heritage-rich city it is today.
CAPTURING BALLARAT’S HISTORY THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
For years, I have explored the city’s streets during twilight and the stillness of dawn, capturing the grand facades and intricate details that are often overlooked amid the busyness of daytime. Many of Ballarat’s historic buildings still display the names of businesses that were established long ago. One notable example is Richards & Co. Photographers, which was founded in 1872 and contributed in part to the idea of this print series.
This project draws inspiration from the pioneering 19th-century wet plate photographers, whose meticulous craftsmanship and artistic vision offer a window into a city both familiar and transformed. These early photographers were more than documentarians; they were artists, shaping history through light, glass, and chemistry, preserving fleeting moments that are still as captivating today.
REIMAGINING BALLARAT’S HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
With the ease of digital photography, I set out to capture Ballarat’s historic buildings as the early photographers might have seen them—reimagining their grandeur in a monochromatic, toned palette that pays homage to those early photographic prints. The interplay of artificial light and the soft hues of twilight breathe new life into these heritage buildings, transforming familiar landmarks into hauntingly beautiful visions of the past.
Yet, even with modern advancements, long exposure remains essential—just as it once stretched into minutes under the daylight, it now extends into the night with digital, still capturing the essence of time in each frame.
I have treated each image as if recovered from an antique archive, carefully crafted to evoke the delicate textures and rich tonal depth of 19th-century prints. The result is a sepia-toned journey through time—a vision of how Ballarat may have once appeared, yet with the subtle hints of a modern streetscape.
EXPERIENCE BALLARAT THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
All images in this article and more are available as Standard Prints in various sizes and media.
They are also available as Acrylic Face-Mounted 8×10″ Prints, which can be traditionally framed or displayed freestanding in our proprietary Acrylic Stands—an elegant way to preserve Ballarat’s timeless beauty.
I also have a limited stock of Acrylic Face mounted in various sizes. Please Contact me for further details.
EXPLORING THE CITY’S HISTORY
Ballarat is famous for its rich gold rush history, beautifully preserved architecture, and cultural landmarks like the Mechanics Institute. The city is a treasure trove for history enthusiasts, offering numerous Ballarat activities for those eager to step back in time. Whether you’re admiring the grand old buildings, diving into its gold rush past, or exploring its hidden gems, there’s something here for everyone.
To delve even deeper into the city’s history, you can explore Ballarat’s stories, secrets, and spaces via your smartphone, tablet, or computer with this informative website: Ballarat Revealed.
For those who prefer to experience the city on foot, this self-guided walking tour map offers an incredible journey through Ballarat’s architectural past: Download the walking tour map here.
HISTORICAL IMAGE CREDIT
All the historical images of Ballarat I have used are readily available from the State Library Victoria.
- Bridge Street, 1866, Albumen Silver Toned Print- 24.1 x 29.0 cm, Photographer: Archibald Vincent Smith 1837-1874,
- ‘Ruth,’ The Gardens, Ballarat 1920, postcards gelatin silver, 13.8 x 8.8cm, Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co.
- View from Bridge Street looking West along Sturt Street 1883, Photographer: Caire, N. J., 1837-1918.
- Statue of Burns and Mechanics Institute Date 1920’s? Photographer: Harvey, John Henry, 1855-1938,
- Elevated view along Sturt Street with trams at a junction between 1910 and 1920, Gelatin Silver, 11.1 x 15.4cm, Photographer: Unknown
- Bucks Head Hotel Bridge St, 1890, Gelatin Silver 10 x 145cm Photographer: Unknown
- Three women portrait 1880-1900, Richards & Co.
- Rear of photo card, Richards & Co
NOTE — Roberts and Co. also documented the streetscapes around Ballarat, most notably some images of Lake Wendouree in the early 1900s.
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