About

Ballara, as it is today, was born in 1987 when a young couple transformed it into a wedding venue. Before that, the property had a rich history. It was originally owned by a lady who married the Honorary Swiss Consul. She renovated the property in a Swiss chalet style, took on the name Madame Pitzka, and cultivated a herb garden and berry farm. The third house at the back was built for her gardener, and the area, once dotted with large glasshouses for garden supplies, looked very different from what we see today. The main road was the first thoroughfare, and what is now the nature strip was once a creek. The name “Ballara” was taken from the Swiss Consul’s original property in Toorak, which he transferred to this land in the late 1950s.

In 1987, the property was purchased by a young couple who, along with the wife’s parents, converted the tea rooms into a wedding venue. The family lived on the property for many years, nurturing it into its beautiful location. The chapel was added in 1996, and over time, land was reclaimed from the lake to make space for the expansive gardens there today. Ballara continues to evolve and grow with time, remaining a truly special place where history, beauty, and love come together for every couple who celebrates their day here.