A trifle on the expensive side, this is a glorious shop for the yarn lover. There is a huge assortment of yarns, all wrapped in their plastic packets (a drawback if you are like me and enjoy to feel the yarn). A specials basket or two fill the floor with the oddment yarns that you can pick up for between $2 and $5 a ball - and this is great if you're a scarf maker like me.

The drawback is the level of service or lack there of and I also find the cost per ball is quite cost prohibitive - even though some of the yarns for sale are beautiful.

Good for a look, and if you're after a hard to locate ball to finish a project.

Approximate cost: $5.00

This is a classic milkbar, where you can pick up the newspaper and magazines, along with a burger and chips. The service is always friendly, and there is a good range of chocolates for those after school munchies. You can also pick up a range of goods that you always seem to run out of just when you're preparing dinner. The only drawback is that it doesn't open on Sundays, and is only open half a day on Saturdays - and you have to be early to collect The Age on a Thursday.

A very specialist service for women who are experiencing Endometriosis, it offers a range of medical, surgical and alternative therapies.

The staff are thorough and attentive when liaising with the patient. I found them approachable and willing to answer questions, and discuss procedures in detail if necessary.

What I did find is though an appointment time is made, it is never actually kept. I found myself waiting over an hour for an afternoon appointment with the nursing staff, and finally went in when the clinic was closing for the evening. Ask at the desk when you check in, what the waiting time is like, so you can avoid this happening to you.

The clinic operates within the premises of the Ballarat IVF, and is staffed also by Ballarat IVF.

This is a great shop for those seeking a bargain when it comes to opportunity shopping. There is a large range of clothing for the whole family, with a specials rack of clothes for sale at one dollar a piece of clothing. Books, linen and some pieces of furniture are also available as is the usual range of crockery. Well priced, and the service is always friendly.

Approximate cost: $2.00

This is an amazing find, over three stories of second hand goods, from furniture, to clothes, haberdashery, toys, utensils, you name it - it's here. You could easily lose yourself for hours combing the rooms for bargains and finds.

This is one of the best opportunity shops in Ballarat. They have a great range of good quality clothes for the whole family. They also sell books, linen, shoes, bags and jewellery. The bonus is the small box of free toys on the doorstep too - a great idea for giving kids the incentive to hang around while their parents shop.

Approximate cost: $2.00

Great chips, and the awesome gravy were the highlights of the meal today. The service was friendly and fast too. The meal deals also seemed a great way to get a can of drink with your lunch.

Approximate cost: $8.50

Fresh and delicious, I had it home delivered too, this was a great, affordable meal. The two curries I had were rich, and well made, with well developed flavours. The Naan and Pappadums were great too, freshly cooked and piping hot!

Approximate cost: $13.00

A very soothing and relaxing experience, the staff were attentive and professional. And I loved the result!

I am never disappointed with the level of care and attention that I receive at the Cutter's Chair. I come out of the session feeling like a million dollars, and for me that's a priceless experience.