travel to bendigo

20 Incredible things to do in Bendigo 

Travel Journalist

15 February 2023

If you swoon at the sight of heritage architecture and love the finer things in life (read: food, wine, art), then make a beeline for Bendigo – a regional Victorian city that straddles the past and the future with aplomb.    

Drive north of Melbourne along the Calder Freeway and in just under two hours you’ll arrive at Bendigo , a gold rush town that has grown into a thriving regional centre experiencing yet another boom.

Immerse yourself in the rich stories of the town’s golden past. (Image: Visit Victoria)

As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, culinary experiences should be at the top of your agenda when travelling to Bendigo, but there’s much more to see and do beyond dining at top-rated restaurants . Here’s a range of must-do experiences to add to your list. 

Fun things to do in Bendigo

Home to talented artisans, thriving modern galleries and enduring institutions that have made their mark on history, finding fun is easy in Bendigo.

1. Get your bearings on a Vintage Talking Tram Tour

See Bendigo’s noteworthy landmarks and monuments while learning about the city’s past aboard a charming Vintage Talking Tram .

Explore Bendigo aboard a Vintage Talking Tram. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Easily one of the most fun ways to get the lay of the land in a new city, a 45-minute ride on a Vintage Talking Tram reveals tales from the gold rush, architectural trivia and stories of local legends – don’t miss it.

Hop on a tram to start your historical tour around the streets of Bendigo. (Image: Visit Victoria)

2. See artisans in action at Bendigo Pottery

Established back in 1858, a visit to Bendigo Pottery is a shopping trip, history lesson and art appreciation afternoon all in one. Watch artisans creating the famous pottery that’s found in homes Australia-wide, shop for unique vintage finds at the Antiques and Collectibles Centre, and refuel at the onsite cafe with some scones and tea.

Visit Australia’s oldest working pottery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Want to pick up some pottery skills? Book in for a wheel throwing lesson, attend a clay decorating workshop or try some simple clay play – there’s plenty of interactive experiences to enjoy here.

Catch local artisans in action at Bendigo Pottery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

3. Get your culture fix at Bendigo Art Gallery

One of Australia’s oldest and largest regional galleries , Bendigo Art Gallery is a must-do when you’re in town. Founded in 1887, the gallery on View Street has hosted many noteworthy international exhibitions that sell out in advance, so hop online and check the gallery’s website to see what touring exhibitions are scheduled during your stay.

Get acquainted with Bendigo’s rich culture and heritage. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Regardless of what’s on, the well-curated gallery spaces are always filled with an interesting mix of contemporary and historical paintings, sculptures and ceramics from near and far. The Gallery Shop is also a top spot to pick up a unique souvenir to remind you of your time in Bendigo. 

Browse through the extensive art gallery collection. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Free things to do

With plenty of free activities and experiences on offer, a trip to Bendigo doesn’t have to break the bank.  

4. Explore the botanical beauty of Rosalind Park

Right in the centre of Bendigo you’ll find one of Bendigo’s most beautiful greenspaces, Rosalind Park . A paradise packed with horticultural treasures, on a hot day you’ll be able to cool yourself under the shade of grand, old elms and oaks.

Go on a relaxing walk under the shade of tall trees at Rosalind Park. (Image: Visit Victoria)

During spring, be sure to see the park’s annual display of colourful tulips. All year round, the walled Yi Yuan Chinese Gardens are a peaceful spot for quiet reflection. With a conservatory, fernery and several water features to see, set aside an hour or two to take it all in.   

See colourful flowers inside its manicured gardens. (Image: Visit Victoria)

5. Find peace at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion

Fifty metres high, the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is the biggest stupa (or pagoda) in the Western world. A place for people to seek peace and learn about Buddhism, this stupa sits within 200-plus acres of bushland in the Whipstick Forest, so is a serene spot to spend a few hours exploring on a self-guided, free tour.

After you’ve explored the stupa, wander through the Peace Park where you can spin prayer wheels clockwise to send compassionate energy out into the world. The StupaView Cafe serves delicious vegetarian gyoza too!  

Get up close and personal with the largest Buddhist stupa in the Western world.

6. Roam free at Bendigo Botanic Gardens

Located in the White Hills area of Bendigo, the sprawling Bendigo Botanic Gardens are nearly as old as Bendigo itself. The perfect spot to enjoy a picnic lunch followed by a wander, you’ll be able to see a wide variety of seasonal flowers in bloom during the warmer months. Kids getting restless? Reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland , the whimsical children’s playspace is so impressive it’s won awards.  

Things to do for families

Travelling with kids? Bendigo has plenty of hands-on experiences to keep visitors of all ages engaged and entertained.  

7. Have your mind blown at the Discovery Science & Technology Centre

If you’ve got some budding scientists in your family, then visit Bendigo’s Discovery Science & Technology Centre . With more than 100 interactive exhibits, learning about physics, chemistry and beyond is fun at this centre that merges education with entertainment. Head into the planetarium to go on an interplanetary journey, feel a rush on the vertical slide, or build something with blocks in the Kaleidoscope space – there’s activities for all ages and abilities here.  

8. Head underground at Central Deborah Mine

All the family will love putting on a hard hat to learn about Bendigo’s gold rush history at the Central Deborah Mine . Sixty-one metres below the earth’s surface, you’ll get to walk in the footsteps of the miners who worked hard in the underground tunnels searching for gold in challenging conditions. Above ground, you’ll also be able to see heritage-listed buildings including an engine room and blacksmith’s shop.  

9. Bowl a few strikes at Bendigo Bowling Centre

Looking for a fun rainy-day activity? Book an afternoon bowling session at the Bendigo Bowling Centre . Operating since the 1960s, this longstanding ten-pin bowling centre is the official home of old-school fun in Bendigo.  

Romantic things to do in Bendigo

From dining at a hatted restaurant to drinking cocktails at a rooftop bar, Bendigo has many special spots for loved-up couples to connect.     

10. Share exceptional culinary experiences

As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, a romantic night of wining and dining should be high on the list for couples. To celebrate in style, head to Masons of Bendigo (a table reservation is essential) to dine on the very best Central Victorian produce.

Experience paddock-to-plate dining at Masons of Bendigo. (Image: Visit Victoria)

What was once the basement of an old school hall is now Ms Batterhams , an exceptional dinner spot dripping with personality. Book the chef’s share menu to enjoy seasonally inspired plates prepared by Head Chef Travis Rodwell.  

Leave room for dessert at Mrs Batterhams. (Image: Tourism Australia)

11. Pick up a paintbrush at Pinot & Picasso

Sipping wine while painting a canvas is a fun way to get to know each other on another level. Book a painting (and drinking) session at Pinot & Picasso Bendigo and you’ll get to leave with a unique memento of your trip to Bendigo to hang in your home. Who knows, you might uncover some hidden creative talents too.  

Unique things to do

Searching for something out of the ordinary to do while you’re in town? Bendigo’s left-of-centre experiences are sure to leave a lasting impression on you.  

12. Let the good times roll aboard Bendigo’s Blues Tram

Enjoy live music, local brews and a tour of the city all at once aboard Bendigo’s beloved Blues Tram – a heritage tram that rattles through Bendigo carrying passengers and musicians. With stops to purchase drinks along the way, a few hours aboard the Blues Tram listening to local musos tear it up is an afternoon well spent.   

13. Uncover local history at the Golden Dragon Museum

You might be surprised to know that Chinese immigrants who arrived during the gold rush played an important role in shaping Bendigo. Opened in 1991, the Golden Dragon Museum is a cultural centre dedicated to preserving the heritage of Chinese culture in Australia. Spend a few hours here wandering around the beautiful gardens and seeing Loong, the world’s oldest surviving complete processional dragon. Feeling peckish? Visit the museum’s restaurant, Hawker to feast on Chinese cuisine.  

Things to do at night

Whether you’re keen to catch a movie in a vintage cinema, slurp down a bowl of vegan ramen or laugh ‘til you cry at a stand-up comedy show, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Bendigo after dark.   

14. Soak up some culture at Ullumbarra Theatre

Bendigo’s renowned Ullumbarra Theatre was once a gaol, but these days the heritage-listed venue hosts a rotating calendar of events all year round. From rock bands to stand-up comedy, classical music recitals, contemporary dance performances and beyond, this theatre is where creativity and culture come to life in Bendigo .   

15. Step back in time at the Star Cinema

Located within the old Eaglehawk Town Hall, the Star is considered to be one of Australia’s most beautiful cinemas. Showing a range of new releases and classic movies, a night in this vintage cinema’s plush couches will delight film fans. Afterwards, head upstairs to the Chambers Wine Bar for a nightcap.  

16. Toast your trip at Bendigo’s bars

Unwinding with a drink is a standard holiday ritual many of us partake in to kick off our break. When it’s sunny, head to Nimbus Rooftop on Mitchell Street for cocktails served with the best view in town. On High Street you’ll find Harpoon Social Club , a cool spot for some Japanese beer, sake or frozen cocktails (stick around and order some ramen or bao too).

Discover an eclectic mix of eateries and boutique-style shops along Bendigo’s endearing laneway. (Image: Visit Victoria)

On the ground floor of the Royal Mail Hotel, Hargreaves is a moody wine and cocktail bar that’s open late most nights. Stop in for an espresso martini to kick off proceedings or cosy up in a nook and polish off a bottle of pinot noir while grazing on an antipasto.

Don’t forget to pair your wine with Hargreaves’ must-try antipasto board.

Things to do around Bendigo

Forest-fringed walking trails, mountain biking spots, family-run vineyards and tiny towns with big personalities are all within striking distance of Bendigo.  

17. Tuck into pies and ales at a classic country pub

Hop in the car, drive 50 minutes southeast and you’ll hit the small town of Tooborac. With a population hovering at around 300 people, this town punches above its weight thanks to the legendary bluestone Tooborac Hotel & Brewery – the oldest National Trust-listed country pub in Victoria. Enjoy a hearty Sunday roast by the fire washed down with a porter or pale ale. Or pop in next door to the cute pie shop for a just-baked beef and ale pie instead.   

Grab a bite of Tooborac’s mushroom beef pie.

18. Get some fresh air in Harcourt

Drive half an hour south of Bendigo and you’ll hit the town of Harcourt which is home to wineries, distilleries and one of the best spots to mountain bike in Victoria. La Larr Ba Gauwa Park may be a mecca for mountain bikers, but it’s a top hiking and picnicking spot too. With a range of trails suitable for different levels of experience and fitness, the jumps and drops at this park will thrill adventurous mountain bikers. Prefer to kick back with a picnic lunch? Head to the magical Oak Forest to soak up the serenity in the shade.   

19. Go on an antique hunting road trip

Central Victoria is home to many well-preserved gold rush-era towns packed with vintage and antique shops. Castlemaine, Maldon and Chewton can all be reached in under half an hour from Bendigo.

Stroll along the vibrant streetscape of Castlemaine. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Spend your day fossicking in this area’s incredible vintage stores, antique shops and op-shops to find one-of-a-kind homewares, vinyl records and rare books. Fair warning: you’ll need to set aside a few hours to hunt through all of Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar’s treasures .       

Shop great finds at the vintage bazaar. (Image: Visit Victoria)

20. Enjoy a whistlestop tour aboard a heritage steam train

Train enthusiasts won’t want to miss a ride aboard an old steam train along the Victorian Goldfields Railway . Stretching between Maldon and Castlemaine, the journey winds its way through forests and farmland, offering passengers incredible views as well as insight into how steam trains operate. Run by a band of passionate volunteers, this is a feel-good trip that train lovers of all ages will delight in. 

Planning to visit Bendigo soon? Check out our ultimate travel guide to Bendigo here .

Jo Stewart is a freelance features writer who pens stories about nature, pop culture, music, art, design and more from her home in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria. When not writing, you can find her trawling through vinyl records and vintage fashion at op shops, antique stores and garage sales.

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Home » Travel Guides » Australia » 15 Best Things to Do in Bendigo (Australia)

15 Best Things to Do in Bendigo (Australia)

Near the remote centre of Victoria is a city that sprouted all of a sudden during the Victorian gold rush of the mid-19th century.

Bendigo is on one of the richest goldfields in the world, and its mines have produced more than 780,000kg of gold.

Among the tens of thousands of hopeful diggers that showed up 170 years ago was a large Chinese contingent.

To this day, Bendigo has a prominent Chinese community, documented at the Golden Dragon Museum and visible especially in the annual Easter Festival.

Bendigo’s Midas touch left the city with graceful 19th-century architecture and attractions that endure to this day.

1. Central Deborah Gold Mine

This mine near Bendigo’s city centre yielded almost a metric ton of gold between 1939 and 1954. The Central Deborah Gold Mine opened during a revival of the city’s gold industry, and work continued even during the Second World War.

Since 1986 this has been a tourist attraction, and the tight main shaft was widened to make things a bit more comfortable for visitors.

How much you see of the mine depends on how adventurous you’re feeling.

The basic Mine Experience for example takes you to a depth of 61 metres to get a sense of this warren of tunnels.

This tour takes just over an hour, but if you’re brave you can try the Underground Adventure at 85 metres, or even the Nine Levels of Darkness tour, which descends in the original miners’ cage to 225 metres below the earth’s surface.

This subterranean journey will take more than three hours, during which you’ll tuck into a miner’s lunch and clamber up and down ladders.

2. Bendigo Art Gallery

Inaugurated way back in 1887, the Bendigo Art Gallery grew out of the Volunteer Rifle’ room and has been extended over time.

The most recent addition was the arresting sculpture gallery added in 2001 and designed by Melbourne’s Fender Katsalidis Architects.

The Bendigo Art Gallery’s inventory spans 19th, 20th and 21st-century painting, sculpture, photography, works on paper and decorative arts.

The collection is particularly strong for its European and Australian painting from the 19th century, counting pieces by luminaries like Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, Ernest Waterlow, Charles Conder and Arthur Streeton.

The museum has a programme of crowd-pleasing temporary shows, dealing with anything from 20th-century cultural icons to ancient artefacts loaned by the British Museum.

3. Bendigo Chinese Gardens Reserve and Golden Dragon Museum

Bendigo has had a Chinese community since the days of the gold rush, and the museum chronicling this Chinese heritage is actually on the site of one of early Bendigo’s Chinatowns.

This attraction opened in 1991 and looks at the lives of these citizens, and how Chinese culture has influenced the city from the 1850s to the present.

The Golden Dragon Museum has a national profile, as a hub of Chinese-related cultural activities in Australia.

At the core of the collection is a stunning array of processional regalia from the late-19th century, comprising theatrical costumes brocaded with gold thread.

The oldest artefacts here go back to the time of the (1600-1026 BCE). You can also see what are thought to be the world’s oldest and longest imperial dragons.

Sun Loong for instance is more than 100 metres long and has appeared at the Bendigo Easter Festival every year since 1901. We also have to mention the authentic gardens, designed like the Imperial Palace in Beijing and complete with the Buddhist Temple of the Goddess of Mercy (Guan Yin Miao).

4. Lake Weeroona

From the 1850s to the 1870s one of the loveliest spots in Bendigo was actually a mine.

Then in 1878 the art director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens oversaw this site’s transformation into an 18-hectare body of water.

Lake Weeroona is within a reserve and has a path through relaxing wooded parkland encircling its banks.

On a leisurely walk it will take about 20 minutes to complete a circuit.

There’s a cafe on the east shore for light meals or a scoop or three of gelato, and children can run wild at the huge adventure playground.

An elegant way to get here from the CBD would be on the historic tramway, which we’ll talk about next.

5. Bendigo Tramways

The city has had a tram system since 1890 and this is still open to visitors as a tourist attraction.

In their time the Bendigo Tramways have been powered by battery, then steam and then electricity since 1903. In the post-war years the network proved too expensive to run as a commuter service, and it finally closed down in 1972, to be reborn as a heritage line.

You can catch a tram through the city centre between North Bendigo and the Central Deborah Gold Mine.

Riding a heritage tram you can take a hop-on, hop-off tour and see almost all of the Bendigo’s main attractions.

The Dja Dja Wurrung Tram sets off from the Central Deborah Gold Mine at 10:00 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and relates the 40,000-year story and traditions of Bendigo’s first people.

There’s also a monthly “Blues Tram” with live performances and “Yarn Bomb Tram” bedecked with crocheted seat covers, cushions, blanket and bunting.

Finally, the old tram depot off Hargreaves Street is open to the public for self-guided tours.

6. Rosalind Park

Bordering Bendigo’s CBD is more than 60 hectares of lawns and mature trees, all scattered with amenities and historic monuments.

The space that is now Rosalind Park is in a valley along Bendigo Creek and because of its permanent freshwater pools would have been vital to the area’s Dja Dja Wrung people way before the arrival of Europeans.

In the early 1850s the Government Camp was based right here and what is now a peaceful idyll was then a mass of shallow shafts, puddling mills and mullock heaps.

By 1855 there were proposals to turn this area into a park, and the surviving layout was decided upon by 1870. Walking the park’s stately avenues you’ll see lots of features that have been here since the late-19th century like fernery (1879), man-made cascades from the 1880s, a cast iron conservatory (1897) and theatrical Neoclassical statuary.

At the west end is the converted Poppet Head lookout tower, which once stood over the nearby Garden Gully United mine and was moved to this spot in 1931.

7. Bendigo Pottery

Australia’s oldest working pottery was established in Bendigo in 1858 and after a few ups and downs in the intervening years has experienced a revival since the 1970s.

In that time Bendigo Pottery has become a byword for quality and innovation.

At this historic site dominated by wood-fired kilns you can find out about the pottery’s past and learn all you need to know about production and the traditional skills still employed by Bendigo’s skilled potters.

You can watch live demonstrations and try your hand at a pottery wheel.

The sales gallery has a large selection of contemporary and traditional pottery, while there’s also an antiques and collectibles centre and a studios with resident artists producing jewellery, sculpture, painting, textiles and more.

8. Bendigo Botanic Gardens

The city’s first public garden was founded as long ago as 1857. The site, a few minutes northeast of the CBD, appears on maps from 1854, just three years after gold was discovered in Bendigo.

The lake at the centre of the park is a remnant of Bendigo Creek, and is wreathed in indigenous wetland species.

Elsewhere the park is divided into lots of lovely sub-gardens, like the Northern Victorian Garden, the Cottage Garden of the Victorian Goldfields, the Indigenous Garden, Habitat Garden and the National Canna and Lavender Collections.

There’s also an Arch of Triumph (1925), a picnic pavilion (1910), an aviary, and an award-winning playspace inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

9. Sacred Heart Cathedral

Bendigo’s gold explains how a relatively small provincial city like this could have a church of such incredible dimensions.

This stupendous Gothic Revival building was begun in 1897 and would be completed 70 years later, after work was interrupted by the two world wars.

Most of the funding was provided by the estate of German-born Henry Backaus (1811-1882), Bendigo’s first Catholic priest.

He amassed serious wealth in Bendigo’s early boom years and left it all for the construction of a cathedral.

Sacred Heart is one of the largest in the country, and the 87-metre spire is the second-tallest behind St Patrick’s in Melbourne.

Go in to appreciate the scale of the nave, which has a wooden ceiling rising to 24 metres.

Check out the carved stonework, the stained glass on the west window, the organ (1905), the blackwood pews and the fine timber panelling.

10. Discovery Science and Technology Centre

This science museum in Bendigo is all about interactivity and learning through play.

So, almost without realising, kids can get acquainted with scientific ideas at more than 100 whimsical exhibits.

There’s an echo tube, almost as long as the centre itself, or an air cannon that can spell out a message, or a device that shoots ping-pong balls amazing distances using only the air around them.

Kids will also be wowed by the planetarium where they can learn about the stars, planets and solar system while sitting back on a beanbag.

But if there’s a headline attraction it’s the tallest vertical slide in the Southern Hemisphere, with a sheer drop of seven metres.

11. Great Stupa of Universal Compassion

With the same size and design as Tibet’s Great Stupa of Gyantse, Bendigo’s Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is the largest stupa in the Western World.

This startling monument is designed to last for a millennium, and rises 48 metres over Bendigo’s bushland, with a width of 50 metres at its base.

Among the many venerated objects within is the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, the largest Buddha to be fashioned from gemstone-quality jade in the world.

The massive boulder from which it was carved was brought to light in Canada in 2000. You can see this and many more artefacts on a tour, setting off from the stupa’s visitor centre and shedding light on Asian culture, Buddhism and art.

There’s artisan coffee at the StupaView Café and a shop selling handmade gifts.

12. The Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum

The solemn Returned Soldiers’ Memorial Hall was erected in the Second Empire style in 1921 as a memorial to those who served in the First World War.

After a two-year redevelopment and extension, the museum inside reopened in 2018 and holds a sizeable collection of military artefacts and memorabilia charting every conflict from the Boer War to Iraq.

This is large enough that it needs to rotate the temporary exhibitions and includes diaries, photographs, documents, books, medals, weapons, uniforms, identity tags, side packs, medical packs and poignant pieces of “trench art” handmade on the battlefield.

13. Alexandra Fountain

The intersection of View Street and Pall Mall is Charing Cross, pretty much at the very centre of Bendigo.

Standing here is a fountain built in 1880 and named for the then Princess of Wales, Alexandra of Denmark.

This monument, testifying to the affluence created by the goldfields, was the work of W.C. Vahland, an architect who designed much of Bendigo’s public architecture from that time.

Impeccably maintained, it’s the second-largest municipal fountain in Victoria, standing 8.5 metres tall and set in a circular pool 15 metres in diameter.

It’s composed of a mix of Harcourt granite, iron and painted stone, and has a group of four allegorical women above spouted mer-horses and dolphins.

14. Bendigo Easter Festival

If you want to see Bendigo’s imperial dragon, Sun Loong in action, then you need to be in town for the Bendigo Easter Festival, which has been celebrated since 1871. The first festival took place to raise funds for a hospital and soon became an institution.

Sun Loong shows up for the signature event, the Easter Procession, held on Easter Sunday and has more than 100 float and over 1,000 participants each year.

Among the other long-running traditions are a carnival in the CBD, the Torchlight Procession and the Awakening of the Dragon ceremony to stir old Sun Loong from his year-long slumber.

In Yi Yuan Gardens meanwhile you can catch the Chinese Spring Festival, with martial arts, lion dancing and traditional Chinese drum, ribbon and fan dances.

15. Bendigo Wine Region

Grape vines were planted in the bushland around Bendigo even when the gold rush was in full swing.

The climate is dry and temperate, similar to what you get in the south of France, with warm summers and mild-to-cool winters when much of the rainfall happens.

Red grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz do especially well around Bendigo, and the main white is Chardonnay.

A typical bottle of Bendigo Cabernet Sauvignon will have trademark blackberry and blackcurrant flavours, with a hint of eucalypt-peppermint.

There are more than 60 wineries and cellar doors, draped over the hills and valleys around Bendigo and into the Heathcote Region to the east.

Killiecrankie, Sandhurst Ridge, Sutton Grange, Chateau Dore, Mandurang Valley are a few names to get you started.

15 Best Things to Do in Bendigo (Australia):

• Central Deborah Gold Mine
• Bendigo Art Gallery
• Bendigo Chinese Gardens Reserve and Golden Dragon Museum
• Lake Weeroona
• Bendigo Tramways
• Rosalind Park
• Bendigo Pottery
• Bendigo Botanic Gardens
• Sacred Heart Cathedral
• Discovery Science and Technology Centre
• Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
• The Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum
• Alexandra Fountain
• Bendigo Easter Festival
• Bendigo Wine Region

THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENDIGO IN A DAY OR A WEEK!

Only 90 minutes from Melbourne, there are so many things to do in Bendigo we are sure you will find it makes a perfect day trip or short getaway from the Victorian capital. From its grand historic buildings that sprouted up during the gold boom to its famous potteries and growing food scene, there is a lot to love about this regional city. Today local Kate Comer shares some of her favourite places to visit in Bendigo when you visit.

Where is Bendigo?

When is the best time to visit, how long do you need to visit bendigo, the bendigo hoho tram, bendigo art gallery, central deborah gold mine, golden dragon museum, bendigo pottery, the great stupa, where to eat in bendigo, where to stay in bendigo.

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Planning a visit to Bendigo?

If you are planning your first trip to this gorgeous town in Victoria this page is all about finding fun things to do in Bendigo

The regional city of Bendigo is in Central Victoria and is only a 150km drive north of Melbourne. Having a car is the best way to explore the city, but the train is an excellent option for a day trip.

Autumn or Spring are perfect times to visit Bendigo, the weather is a great temperature, and the parks come alive. There is also a great range of events held at this time of year. I tend to find over the Christmas/New Year period, many of the cafes and restaurants that Bendigo is famous for close their doors to enjoy the break.

A day trip to Bendigo is perfect for exploring the Bendigo CBD, but a stay of at least three nights is needed as there is so much to do! The history of Bendigo is rich, and the beautiful buildings reflect the money that was made during the gold rush of the 1800s.

The best things to see and do in Bendigo

There is a great deal of variety on offer in this central Victorian city. From discovering its history to exploring all the great dining choices, pick a few of your favourites from the list below and start planning a getaway soon.

The best way to get a feel for the city and learn about the history is to jump on one of the Bendigo Trams. They travel from the Central Deborah Gold Mine past the Sacred Heart Cathedral, through the centre of Bendigo down the famous Pall Mall, past Lake Weeroona ending at the historic Joss House Temple.

The tram is a hop on hop off service, and the ticket is valid for the entire day.

Where : 1 Tramways Ave, Bendigo When : 10am-4.30pm

On View Street, in the centre of Bendigo beside the gorgeous Rosalind Park, you will find the Bendigo Art Gallery. Whatever you do, don’t miss a visit to this fantastic gallery. They have a great range of exhibitions of high-quality art and textiles.

Once you have finished exploring the art gallery, check out the poppet head that overlooks Bendigo. The view over Rosalind Park on one of the many sunny days in Bendigo is worth climbing the stairs.

Where : 42 View St, Bendigo  When : 10am-5pm

The Central Deborah Gold Mine is another must-see destination in Bendigo. Once a working gold mine, there is a tremendous amount of information on the gold rush days and if you are keen, you can head underground to experience what the miners went through during those days.

Over 700,000kg of was gold found on the Bendigo goldfields between 1851and 1954 making it the 7th largest gold producer in the world.

If going underground is not your thing, the surface of the mine still has a fantastic display of gold rush memorabilia.

Where : 76 Violet St, Bendigo When : 9:30pm-4:30pm

Chinese history is a huge part of Bendigo, and a visit to the Golden Dragon Museum should also be on your list of things to do in Bendigo. A great range of Chinese artifacts from the Gold Rush period and a ticket also includes entrance to the Chinese gardens and the Kuan Yin Temple.

Before you book your trip to Bendigo, I highly recommend searching to see if tickets to the High Tea at Fortuna Villa are available. A wonderful way to spend a few hours sipping champagne, listening to the harp and going on a tour of this splendid heritage-listed building.

The following two activities require a car and are well worth the short drive.

Where : 1/11 Bridge St, Bendigo  When : 9:30pm-5pm

Bendigo Pottery is located north of Bendigo in the suburb of Epsom and is Australia’s oldest working pottery. The interactive museum gives excellent insight into the history of ceramics, and you can also purchase a piece of pottery to take home.

Don’t miss the antique and collectable store next door; we love finding unique items. On the drive back into Bendigo, the Bendigo Botanical Gardens is worth visiting on a sunny day.

Where : 146 Midland Hwy, Epsom When : 9am-5pm

A 20-minute drive from Bendigo is The Great Stupa , and please don’t miss out on a visit! The largest Stupa in the Western World, this is a fantastic place to wander and so peaceful. The garden is beautiful surrounding the Stupa, and it is only a gold coin donation to visit. The café serves delicious, wholesome food.

Where : 25 Sandhurst Town Rd, Myers Flat  When : 9am-5pm weekdays, 10:30am-5pm weekends

The range of Bendigo cafes and restaurants is huge, and you will need many visits to Bendigo to eat at them all. I am a huge coffee lover, and here are my top three choices for the best takeaway coffee spots. Hustle Coffee on McCrae Street, Get Naked Espresso Bar on Mitchell Street and Peachy on View Street.

For brunch and a coffee, I suggest Old Green Bean on Lyttleton Terrace, Adam and Eve on Williamson Street and Percy and Percy on Hargreaves Street.

For lunch and dinner, you are spoilt for choice. Everyone must dine at Masons of Bendigo and The Woodhouse restaurant at least once on a stay in Bendigo.

Incredible food that is sourced locally from Central Victoria. For drinks, Nimbus Rooftop and Ms Batterhams do spectacular cocktails, not to be missed!

Where you stay in Bendigo really depends on if you have a car. If you don’t have a car, I would recommend staying in the Bendigo CBD or near Lake Weeroona.

• The Shamrock Hotel in Bendigo CBD has an amazing amount of history and location cannot be beat.
• For amazing value and hospitality, check out the Julia-Anna Bendigo near Lake Weeroona has motel rooms and apartments
• There are also two Quest properties that have larger apartments for groups
• Mercure Schaller is a modern hotel a short walk from town. The property features work by Australian contemporary artist, Mark Schaller
• The Byronsvale Vineyard Accommodation is a beautiful choice with vineyard and bush views a short drive from Bendigo CBD.

Bendigo is a gorgeous place to visit, and there is always something going on, and there is a great selection of things to do for both families and couples.

About the Author: Kate Comer is a mum of 2 and loves to travel with her family to Bali. She lives in the regional Victorian city of Bendigo and loves exploring Australia, finding child-friendly spots, plus the best coffee in town. Follow her on Instagram for the latest Bendigo happenings or join her FB group Travel Around Bendigo if you have any questions about visiting the area.

Got a question? Head over to our Australia Travel Tips Facebook Group and ask a local.

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• 1.1 History
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• 3 Get around
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Bendigo is a regional city in Victoria , Australia . With a population of about 92,000 it is the 4th largest city in the State. Bendigo is about 140   km (105 miles, 1½ hour's drive) north-north-west of Melbourne .

It is known for its grand Victorian architecture, built during the gold rush of the mid-19th century.

Bendigo grew to a bustling town after gold was discovered in the area in 1851. The wealth of this period resulted in the construction of many fine public and commercial buildings in the city centre, as well as private homes in the surrounding residential areas.

The population of the Greater Bendigo municipality (which includes much rural area and the nearby towns of Heathcote and Elmore) is over 110,000, as of 2016. Despite this it retains a friendly country atmosphere.

The town has far less rain than Melbourne due to its position to the north of the Great Dividing Range. Summers are hot and dry, up to 40 °C or more on some days. Winters tend to be mild; with lowest temperatures around -5 °C overnight and around 15 °C during the day.

Sheep, cattle, fruit, wine and cereal crops are the most common products of the area. Gold is being discovered again in large quantities at deeper levels in the old mines with new technology.

Before European settlement the area was occupied by the clans of the Dja Dja Wurrung people. They were regarded by other tribes as being a superior people, not only because of their rich hunting grounds but because from their area came a greenstone rock for their stone axes. Early Europeans described the Dja Dja Wrung as a strong, physically well-developed people and not belligerent. Nevertheless the early years of European settlement in the Mount Alexander area were bloodied by many clashes between intruder and dispossessed.

Major Mitchell passed through the area in 1836. Following his discovery, the first squatters arrived in 1840 to establish vast sheep runs. Bendigo Creek was part of the Mount Alexander or Ravenswood sheep run.

It is generally acknowledged that Mrs John Kennedy and Mrs Patrick Farrell, wives of workmen on the Ravenswood run, found gold at ‘The Rocks’ - now an identified location that can be visited at the junction of Bendigo Creek and Maple Street.

The first ‘rush’ took place in November 1851 when miners at Castlemaine (Forest Creek) heard of the new discovery. Alluvial gold was found in the area of its first discovery (present day Golden Square) and then the miners followed the gold down the creek to what is now Epsom and up the creek to the present suburb of Kangaroo Flat. Further discoveries were soon made in the tributary creeks at Eaglehawk and Diamond Hill.

As a result of the rush of people to the area, the Gold Commissioner’s Office, the Police Barracks and the courts were erected on Camp Hill, now the present Rosalind Park in central Bendigo. The “diggers”, as the miners were called, numbered as high as thirty thousand and came from all over the world; from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland – along with Germans, Italians, Swiss, French and Americans. The Chinese population reached many thousands in the early gold rush period but their numbers dropped rapidly as the nineteenth century progressed.

Bendigo quickly grew from a “city of tents” to become a substantial city with great public buildings. The first hospital was built in 1853 and the first town plan was developed by 1854. A municipality emerged and the first Town Hall was commissioned in 1859.

Bendigo was connected to Melbourne by telegraph in 1857 and it was from here that the first message reporting the deaths of Burke and Wills was sent in 1861. Frequent Cobb & Co coaches ran to Melbourne until the railway reached Bendigo in 1862.

In the following decade it made the transition from small mining town to large and wealthy city, and becoming established as a key centre for surrounding settlements.

Water supply was always a problem in Bendigo. This was partly solved with a system harnessing the waters of the Coliban River, designed by engineer Joseph Brady. Water first flowed through the viaduct in 1877.

Architect William Charles Vahland left a major mark on Bendigo during this period. He is credited as innovating what was the most popular residential design of the period, low cost cottages with verandahs decorated in iron lace which became a popular style right across Victoria. He transformed the Bendigo Town Hall between 1878 to 1886 into a grand building and designed more than eighty more public and private buildings, including the Alexandra Fountain, the Masonic Temple (now the Capital Theatre) and the Mechanics Institute and School of Mines (now the Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE), 'Fortuna Villa' in Golden Square, (which was the home of 'Quartz King' George Lansell), the Law Courts, former Post Office and the expanded Shamrock Hotel in Pall Mall.

A tram network began in 1890 and was used for public transport.

Bendigo is just over 1½ hours drive north of Melbourne on the Calder Freeway (Highway). The freeway is all dual carriageway.

If you are coming from Sydney, take the Shepparton exit from the Hume Freeway, and then follow the signs from Shepparton to Bendigo.

While Bendigo does have a small airport, it will likely be much more convenient to fly into Melbourne. From there, hire a car and take the M79 (Calder Freeway) which starts just by the airport. If you do not wish to drive, take the Skybus into Southern Cross Station and get the train to Bendigo. Alternatively take the shuttle direct to Bendigo from the airport. For a cheaper option, catch a 479 [ dead link ] to Sunbury Station and get the train to Bendigo.

Bendigo is served by trains which run from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station into Kangaroo Flat Station, serving the south of Bendigo, before heading into Bendigo's main railway station. Some services also continue into Eaglehawk or Epsom in the north, although they are more infrequent. serving northwest Bendigo. These usually run about once an hour. The journey takes approximately two hours from Melbourne. As the route is used by many commuters, trains may be more crowded in the early morning and late afternoon/early evening on weekdays. From the station, most of the CBD is within walking distance. Alternatively buses run into the centre of the city and other parts of Bendigo from the station.

Vline also operates a coach twice daily from Adelaide direct to Bendigo.

• -36.794921 144.24879 2 Kangaroo Flat railway station . ( updated May 2023 )
• -36.718397 144.248059 3 Eaglehawk railway station . ( updated May 2023 )
• -36.706331 144.320953 4 Epsom railway station . ( updated May 2023 )

Bendigo has a local urban bus service. The network covers all parts of Bendigo with a standard frequency of one every half hour on a few routes, and one an hour on others. Services on most routes are infrequent in the evenings and on weekends. There is also a tourist hop-on/hop-off tram running up and down the main street.

Parking is metered in most parts of the city centre. Expect to pay about $1 per hour for parking, and to have parking limits of 1–2 hours in the city centre. Because of these restrictions parking is generally easy in the city centre. Parking is free on Saturdays however time limits do apply. You can also find free parking at some shopping centres.

• The tourist information centre is housed in the old post office building on Pall Mall (the main through road) - opposite the Shamrock Hotel. It also has an interesting exhibition of Bendigo Heritage.
• Rosalind Park is just behind the visitors centre. It has the potential for a river to flow through it, but this usually only happens after rare storms. Otherwise a basic garden with a fountain and a memorial. From the main section of the park it is a short but somewhat steep walk up to the Poppet Head Lookout or to the Bendigo Art Gallery.
• Bendigo Mosaic and Poppet Head Lookout . At the high point of Rosalind Park, you can climb a look out created from an old mine shaft. From it there is extensive views over the region. There is a mosaic of tiles explaining the heritage of Bendigo at the base of the tower.
• The Easter fair procession is one of the oldest festivals in Victoria. The imperial dragon called Sun Loong takes pride of place each year at the festival needing over 50 strong members of the public to carry it. A variety of other activities take place over the Easter weekend including markets and carnivals.
• -36.7552 144.2829 2 Chinese Garden & Museum . has tours and one of the original Joss houses is open to the public. You can get to this by taking the Tourist Talking Tram Tour from the Central Deborah Gold Mine, which is close to the city centre, or it is just a short walk east along Pall Mall from the town centre and the visitor information centre. Access to the arch is free. Access to the museum, garden and shrine has a small charge. The museum has many old Chinese exhibits. The garden has goldfish, is Chinese styled, but has a fair bit of concrete to detract from the effect. ( updated May 2023 )
• -36.75745 144.276511 3 Bendigo Art Gallery . on the edge of Rosalind Park, between the Poppet Head Lookout and the Cathedral. Has a good collection of period Australian paintings, some contemporary work, sometimes travelling exhibitions. ( updated May 2023 )
• -36.764938 144.270286 4 Central Deborah Mine ( 2 minutes drive or a short walk towards Melbourne from the town centre ). There are three variations on the mine tour. There is the surface tour where you can look around the mine workings, which have been reconfigured a little for tourism. There is gold panning available, and you can climb the poppet head and follow the overhead link to the battery crusher. THe standard underground tour goes underground into the old minue workings. There are various types of drilling rigs, and other demonstrations making for a very interesting tour. This tour also includes the self-guided surface tour. The third adventure tour does all that the first two tours do, but also includes about 30 minutes on level 3 of the mine. This involves going down ladders, and seeing a section of the mine that hasn't been extensively modified for tourism use. It also includes a lunch or cornish pasties back in a function room that has been built back on the main level of the mine. ( updated May 2023 )

It is also worth visiting Online Bendigo to see what upcoming events are on prior to your visit.

• Visit the wineries . Bendigo is the centre of a thriving wine area: the nearby wineries are well worth the visit. Bendigo Shiraz is generally very full-flavoured and big.
• Swim at public pools around the city. $3.50 for kids, $4.50 adult, $11.50 family (2 kids, 2 adults). The closest to the city centre is the Bendigo Aquatic Centre which features a water slide, 10-m and 5-m diving platforms, diving boards, an Olympic pool, a kids pool and a baby pool. If you like a cold swim, go to Brennan Park. East Bendigo is usually more than half-filled with lap-lanes. The only indoor pool is at the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre which also features a gym and mini-golf.
• -36.745633 144.31059 1 The Zone Family Entertainment Complex , 1 Gildea Lane, East Bendigo , ☏ +61 3 5441 7046 . Under 9-years-old activities: Mini go-karts, playground with ball pit. All ages activities: Laser tag, roller rink, 18 hole mini-golf, arcade machines, outdoor maze. Other activities: Go-karting is popular but you must be over 8 years old and over 130 cm tall. Paintball is available for over 18 year olds. Single tickets can be bought (prices range $6-45 depending on activity) or there are combo passes which are better value. Staff will help to find the best pricing for the activities you want to do. The Zone sells food, drink and coffee. ( updated May 2023 )
• -36.765106 144.269701 3 Bendigo Tramways . Ride the historic Bendigo tourist tramway. ( updated May 2023 )

• -36.765795 144.280281 1 The Marketplace . An indoor shopping plaza with clothes, electronics, jewellery, massage, manicure, woolworths, other specialty shops, and a food court. It is on Mitchell Street opposite the train station and has large, free parking lots. ( updated May 2023 )
• -36.759917 144.280418 2 Hargreaves Mall . An outdoor pedestrian mall with cafes, clothes, and several arcades branching off it with more retail and some art spaces. It is the home of the original Myer Shop. Bendigo Original Pie Shop does awesome chicken. It is the stretch of Hargreaves street between Mitchell Street and Williamson Street. There is a large multi-storey parking station opposite the Library just off Williamson. ( updated May 2023 )
• Bath Lane . Overshadowed by the Bendigo Bank building, it is a one-way street with cafes and boutiques, including Indulge Chocolate which have amazing hot chocolates!  
• -36.707167 144.315815 3 The Bendigo Pottery , 146 Midland Highway, Epsom , ☏ +61 3 5448 4404 . You can buy pottery. There are also tours, a cafe, and hands-on pottery workshops. ( updated May 2023 )
• There are antique shops and second hand shops on View Street, opposite the Bendigo Art Gallery.
• Other shopping centres include Strath Village in Strathdale, Centro Lansell in Kangaroo Flat.
• -36.757373 144.281949 1 Clogs . a famous local restaurant on Pall Mall in Bendigo. It has a wide selection of pizza, pasta and other dishes (modern Australian). ( updated Jun 2021 )
• Bull St . There are many casual restaurants in this small street of Bendigo, including The Match. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• -36.761784 144.284294 2 The Woodhouse . wood-fired pizza and fancy steaks in a hearty atmosphere. Williamson Street. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• -36.756627 144.274948 3 Malayan Orchid . an excellent restaurant specialising in Asian cuisine. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• -36.759228 144.279581 4 Bunja Thai . a restaurant specialising in Thai cuisine. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• GPO . modern Australian cuisine impressively presented opposite the historic General Post Office Building. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• Typhoon . Thai cuisine in a casual and friendly atmosphere. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• Guards Room @ Wine Bank . Fine dining upstairs at the Wine Bank. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• Whirakee . Lovely restaurant in centre of Bendigo with view of Alexandra Fountain in city centre. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• The Dispensary . Chic new eatery in Chancery Lane off of Pall Mall, fine food and great wine list in funky atmosphere. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• Wild Mint . cafe under the new Bendigo Bank headquarters in the main CBD. Asian-inspired light lunches and more substantial evening meals. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• -36.75999 144.27866 5 Hoo-gah , 4 Mitchell St , ☏ +61 3 5441 2488 . Tuesday - Friday 8am-3pm, Saturday 9am-3pm . Offers an eclectic range of food including many vegan, gluten-free and FODMAP-friendly options using locally sourced produce. ( updated Sep 2021 )
• Bendigo Shiraz - some good Bendigo wineries are: Chateau Leamon, Waterwheel, Balgownie, Mandurang Valley, Harcourt, Blackjack, Connor Park. Many other small wineries are in the district.
• The Rifle Brigade Brewery - located on picturesque View St Bendigo. pumps out some very nice beers and meals too.
• Wine Bank - in View Street. A great selection of local, Australian and imported wines, in the relaxed atmosphere of an old bank building from the Gold Rush period - ornate ceilings and architectural detail are just part of the experience.
• Star Bar , Corner of Pall Mall and Mundy Street . Known as 'Star'. Plays Top 40 music from resident DJs. Sometimes hosts events. General age 18-25. There is an outdoor area, the main dance floor, the 'rave cave' and a quieter area for sitting down (not that quiet, you're in a nightclub remember!)  
• The Metro and Puggs Irish Bar , Bull Street . Live music with a dance floor and a pub atmosphere.  
• Kenrode House , 94 Abbott Street, Bendigo , ☏ +61 400 580 498 , [email protected] .  

Bendigo is a safe city, although like anywhere it is important to take common sense safety precautions. Beggars and troublemakers in the center of town are mostly harmless but are better left alone. The historic tram can present an unusual hazard on the main road if you are driving.

Bendigo is an ideal place from which to explore the Goldfields region of Victoria. From Bendigo you can visit neighbouring Castlemaine and Heathcote . The train from Bendigo to Melbourne stops in Castlemaine. It takes approximately 25 minutes to reach Castlemaine by train

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Best Things to See and Do in Bendigo Victoria

by Sharyn McCullum | Last updated May 23, 2024 | Discover Australia Now , Victoria | 8 comments

Only 90 minutes or so up the Calder Freeway from Melbourne is the lovely regional city of Bendigo. With its grand and historic buildings that were built during the gold boom, to its famous pottery and its growing food and wine scene, there is a lot to discover on a visit to this regional city. If you are considering a visit to Bendigo for a couple of days or longer, you won’t be disappointed as there are some great things to see and do in Bendigo.

In this post I am going to share with you the best things to do in Bendigo in a day or longer. So whether you are travelling to Bendigo solo, with friends, in a couple or visiting Bendigo with kids either for a weekend getaway, while touring around Victoria or doing your ‘ big lap of Australia’ , definitely include a visit to Bendigo in your plans.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge that the City of Greater Bendigo is located on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Warring and the Taungurung Peoples of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians of this land.

Table of Contents

The Best Things to See and Do in Bendigo

If you are wondering why visit Bendigo, well let me tell you why. Firstly, Bendigo was built on the proceeds of gold found during the gold rush in Victoria of the 1850s. So much gold was found that this area of Victoria is known to have produced the most gold in the world. So you will learn lots about gold. And see fabulous old buildings built from the profits of gold. Plus the ground is so productive the area is fast becoming known as one of the best food and wine areas in Australia. So this is just a sample of why you should add Bendigo Victoria to your list of regional towns to visit while touring around Victoria.

Ride the Hop-on Hop-off Tram

Bendigo Hop On Hop Off Tram Waiting at the Central Deborah Gold Mine

The first thing to do when you arrive in Bendigo is to buy a ticket to ride the Bendigo Hop-on Hop-off Tram known as the Vintage Talking Tram . Trams have a number of stops. Travel between the Central Deborah Gold Mine, past the Sacred Heart Cathedral, through the centre of town travelling along Pall Mall, past Lake Weeroona and end at the historic Joss House Temple. There are 6 stops in all along the route. You can hop-on and hop-off at any stop you like as your ticket is valid for the whole day. Riding the tram is great fun. The tram drivers are very knowledgeable and show you the major sights and tell you about them and their history.

I started my tram trip at the Central Deborah Gold Mine mainly because there is plenty of parking here. For my first trip I stayed on the tram and did the return trip taking 45 minutes. Y ou can purchase your ticket on the tram or at the Central Deborah Gold Mine reception area . 

Go Down the Mine at the Central Deborah Gold Mine

If you start your day in Bendigo at the tram terminal at the Central Deborah Gold Mine, you might want to have a tour of this first. The Central Deborah Gold Mine is the second must-see and do destination in Bendigo. If you want to learn about the gold rush days in Bendigo, you will discover everything at this once working gold mine. You can even go on an underground tour in the mine, to depths of 228 metres below the surface. You will discover all about the working conditions of the miners of years gone by as well as fascinating stories. If going underground isn’t your thing, there is a great display of gold rush memorabilia on the surface. You can purchase your ticket at the mine .

Bendigo Art Gallery

Leave your car at the gold mine and take the tram into the city. One stop away will see you at View Street, in the centre of the city. Along View Street is the Bendigo Art Gallery which has some great exhibitions. Many people visit Bendigo for the great exhibitions it often has on. The day I was there, the Elvis Presley Exhibition was on. I was lucky to get a ticket to this exhibition and I’m glad I did. There was so much Elvis memorabilia in the exhibition and it took a few hours to see it all. From Elvis’ clothes he wore in concert, to his beloved MGA car and even the keys to the front door of Graceland. Here’s some pics.

Elvis’ Jumpsuits and his Red MG were my favourite exhibits at the Elvis Exhition at the Bendigo Art Centre

Walk around Rosalind Park

If art isn’t your thing, take a walk around Rosalind Park. It is right near the Art Gallery. There is an old gold poppet head to climb which offers great views over Bendigo. At the bottom of the hill you will find some statues, one of Queen Victoria and the other of George Lansell. George Lansell arrived in Bendigo in 1853. After opening a number of shops he had a great interest in mining. He worked tirelessly to ensure mining industry standards were met to be able to provide employment.

Not too far from the statue is the imposing Town Hall building, which is where you will find the award winning Bendigo Visitor Centre . This building was the Bendigo Post Office once and has been lovingly restored to keep its character and glory. The Botanical Gardens are just next door for you to walk around or sit and relax. Across the road is the iconic Shamrock Hotel . The Shamrock Hotel was built in the gold rush days and reflects this in its distinction, history, romance and grandeur – just like many other buildings in Bendigo. You will see why when you visit possibly to stay overnight in or to enjoy a meal.

Golden Dragon Museum

During the gold rush in the 1850s, people came from around the world seeking their fortune. And this included many Chinese people and this Chinese history is a massive part of Bendigo. So massive in fact there is the Golden Dragon Museum housing a great range of Chinese artefacts from the gold rush period. It is not far from the Bendigo Town Hall so you can easily walk to it.

The Golden Dragon Museum is also home to two dragons. Loong is the world’s oldest Imperial Dragon, and is the most celebrated dragon in Australia. Loong first appeared in Bendigo in 1892 and was regularly paraded through Bendigo until he was retired in 1970. As well as Loong, Dai Gum Loong also calls Bendigo home. He is the world’s longest Imperial Dragon and thousands come to see him dance through Bendigo’s central business district during Bendigo’s Easter Festival. If you can’t see him at Easter, you can see him and Loong at the museum. You will find the museum at 1-11 Bridge Street Bendigo. It is open Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 5.00pm with entry tickets available at the door.

Walk Around the CBD and Shopping Precinct

Bendigo was one of the central points of the gold rush back in the 1850s and a stroll around the CBD will showcase many heritage buildings. Walk along Pall Mall and discover many of the lattice-covered awning shop fronts. They provide a lot of character to Bendigo. A couple of streets back on the other side from Rosalind Park is Bendigo’s shopping mall. Once a street, it was changed to a mall in the 1980s. Lots of great shops, from local boutiques to Australian chain shops – plenty of shopping here. And cafes too, to get your fix of caffeine, or a local pastry to keep the energy up.

Bendigo Pottery

Kiln at Bendigo Pottery

Bendigo Pottery is 6km north of Bendigo so you will need to drive to get there. It is Australia’s oldest and still working pottery with around 45 shops attached to it. These shops are other creators selling their wears along with antique sellers where you could find a bargain. You can purchase a ticket to go on a tour of the pottery or perhaps you would like to take a pottery class. Or perhaps like me, just walk around and admire the extensive array of pottery items for sale and then finish off with a coffee in the coffee shop. It is free to walk around however, you will need to buy a ticket if going on the pottery tour.

Eating in Bendigo

Bendigo is fast becoming a foodie’s paradise and is in fact Australia’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The range of Bendigo restaurants and cafes is huge, with a lot of the food being sourced locally from around Central Victoria. There are a number of great places to eat along View Street, McCrae Street and Mitchell Street, and close to the Shopping Mall along Hargreaves Street. Perhaps have a meal at the iconic Shamrock Hotel on Pall Mall. Or enjoy a high tea at Fortuna Villa, once the home of George Lansell. There are also plenty of fast food joints and fabulous bakeries. If you truly love your food and wine why not taste your way around the Bendigo region on the Bendigo Gastronomy Trail . Bon Appetite!

Bendigo Wine Region

The Bendigo wine region is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions, with vines dating back as far as 1855. Today, there are more than 30 cellar doors and wineries waiting to be discovered. There is also the nearby Heathcote wine region which is growing in reputation. You can easily spend a day, or two, driving around to the different wineries and cellar doors sampling the wines. If you don’t want to drive yourself, consider going on a wine tour such as with companies like Bendigo Presitge tours . Even though Bendigo and Heathcote are known for their quality wines, if you are a beer lover, you will enjoy the growing beer culture. There are a number of unique craft breweries in the area such as Palling Bros Brewery and Cornella Brewery . Bottoms up!

Other Things to See and Do in Bendigo

Depending on how long you have to spend in Bendigo, other things to see and do include:

• Visit Lake Weeroona and let the kids play at the Lake Weeroona Playspace
• Enjoy a walk around the Bendigo Botanic Gardens
• get interactive with science displays at the Discovery Science & Technology Centre
• Visit the heritage listed Joss House Temple, a Chinese place of prayer since 1871.

1 Day Bendigo Itinerary

Here’s a suggestion to spend 1 day in Bendigo

Morning – tour the Central Deborah Goldmine Late morning – ride the talking tram, complete route Lunch – jump off the tram and wander down Pall Mall and dine in one of Bendigo’s cafes or restaurants Afternoon – walk off lunch along Pall Mall and walk around Rosalind Park and visit the Bendigo Art Gallery Dinner – head into town and enjoy a meal in a Bendigo restaurant Evening – enjoy a drink in one of the pubs or bars or catch a move at the Star Cinema.

2 Day Bendigo Itinerary

Follow 1 day Bendigo itinerary and on day 2:

Morning – spend your morning at Bendigo Pottery Afternoon – tour around some of Bendigo’s or Heathcote’s Wineries Dinner – in one of Bendigo’s restaurants.

Plan Your Visit to Bendigo

Now you know what to see and do in Bendigo, it is time to plan your visit.

Where is Bendigo and How to Get there?

Bendigo is only 150km north of Melbourne and takes around 90 minutes or so to reach by car or a bit longer if you catch the train. If driving from Melbourne you will drive along the Calder Freeway. If you need to rent a car check out the DiscoverCars website providing details of different cars to rent along with availability and cost. The other option to reach Bendigo is to travel by train. Check out the V/Line website for tickets and timetables. 

When is the Best Time to Visit Bendigo?

Anytime is a good time to visit Bendigo. However, Winter can be very cold and Summer very hot. Spring and Autumn are perfect as the temperatures are milder. But it is up to you when you visit. Bendigo isn’t going anywhere.

How long should you Visit Bendigo for?

Definitely visit Bendigo for 1-2 days which will give you enough time to see the major things Bendigo is known for. There is still plenty to do if you stay longer, but you will need a car as you will be travelling to the local towns to really appreciate what the Bendigo area has to offer. 

Where to Stay in Bendigo?

Bendigo has a variety of accommodation available, with plenty of places in the CBD and surrounds. So whether you are a solo traveller, with friends or in a couple or travelling with family to Bendigo with kids, there is a place to stay in Bendigo for you. The closer you are to the centre of town, the easier it is to walk to the major sights.

• The Shamrock Hotel in Bendigo CBD is a majestic structure of some 150 plus years old and worth a stay.
• If after a bed in a hostel check out Bendigo Backpackers .
• The Best Western Cathedral Hotel is where I stayed. It is only a 10 minute walk from the CBD and only 5 minutes from fast food restaurants. It is a great hotel and offered everything I needed for a pleasant stay.
• If towing a van or bring your tent, check out  Big 4 Park Lane Holiday Park .
• For other accommodation options check out Booking.com – it’s my go to site where I book all my accommodation.

Are You Ready to Visit Bendigo?

I hope you are ready to visit Bendigo for the best things to see and do in Bendigo for a day or two or more! If you have any questions about your visit or have visited already, i would love to hear in the comments following.

Other Things to See and Do around Bendigo

Drive the Goldfields Ways – Bendigo to Ballarat

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My Travel Resources

* For short accommodation stays I book a hotel room via Booking.com. For free accommodation I house sit through Trusted Housesitters . * For camping & caravanning gear I like RV Camping & Caravanning, Amazon and BCF. * If I need to rent a car I check out options at DiscoverCars . * For clothing I am not loyal to any brand, but I do have a NorthFace jacket. * When I need travel insurance I get a policy through World Nomads .

Golden Dragon Museum sounds quite interesting. I would love to know more about Chinese history.

It is very interesting the Chinese History in Bendigo. Basically lots of Chinese people arrived to make their fortune panning for gold and brought their culture with them. Very interesting.

I would absolutely want to visit the pottery kiln and take a class. I bet the artisans’ pots are lovely.

Yes, the classes look great. When I was there they only had a kids class for that day. I will need to book in advance next time to get my days and class to coordinate! lol. The posts were amazing!

Bendigo is yet another amazing place to see when we visit Australia! PS I love Museums.

If you get the chance to visit some of the big towns in Victoria you will definitely be amazed at their history, architecture and their local quisines and drink.

I loved my trip to Australia a few years ago, but I didn’t get a chance to visit so many places I wanted to go. Bendigo looks like another great place to add to my list for when I’m back in Australia!

Bendigo was great to visit. It is an easy day trip from Melbourne. So if you get the chance on your next visit I hope you can visit this town built from the gold rush days.

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G’Day! Sharyn here, an Aussie discovering Australia. Let me show you around so you can discover Australia too.  Read my story here.

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Weekend getaways: Bendigo

Find some of the best eating, drinking and art experiences with our travel guide to Bendigo

When is the last time you came to Bendigo? Venture just a few hours from Melbourne and you'll find a town packed with world-class arts and culture, thriving creative communities, historic landmarks and top-notch dining and drinking.

Check out our other weekend getaway guides to  the High Country ,  the Great Ocean Road  and  the Mornington Peninsula .

Keep up to date with travel advice and what's currently allowed across Victoria.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Where to eat and drink in Bendigo

Masons of bendigo.

This is where Bendigo goes when it wants a special night out. In the heart of the regional city’s burgeoning CBD, Masons is all sleek lines and sophisticated touches, and chef Nick Anthony, who runs the restaurant with wife Sonia, gives substance to the style. Taking a bold global approach to proudly local produce, he’s equally at home going Asian (crisp flathead tails are served with wakame salad, Shichimi mayonnaise and lime), Mediterranean (zucchini flowers with tomato, burrata, pickles and brik pastry) and even Middle Eastern (lamb shoulder with date molasses, wild fig and spiced pistachios) - backed by a drinks list with a strong regional slant that extends to beer and cider as well as Central Victoria’s champion wines.

The Dispensary Bar & Diner

Laneway culture arrives in Bendigo with The Dispensary, a smartly clandestine hideout where food and drinks receive equal billing. The menu has an eye on fashion with snack-friendly dishes such as steamed buns filled with fried chicken, lettuce, cucumber and kewpie mayonnaise, and pork gyoza sloshed in yuzu, soy and peanut oil, while more substantial fare gets its Euro on with mains like roasted duck breast and duck leg pithivier with juniper jus; or the house spaghetti with braised pork hock and morcilla. Drinks? You’ve come to the right place with an encylopedic list of wine, beer and spirits, including whiskey and gin flights.

What's not to love about a restaurant that calls itself "the fat one"? This Spanish laneway eatery is a café by day and a tapas bar on Saturday nights. Tucked away on Chancery Lane, it’s a great spot for an evening snack of cold cuts or sardines on toast with a refreshing spritz. This café is also a favourite among locals for their spot-on coffee and breakfast burrito (it comes with scrambled egg, gypsy ham, chorizo, roasted peppers, mushroom and chipotle aioli). For a muy bien lunch pick up one of El Gordo's bocadillos (Spanish sandwiches) like their Jamon Serrano, manchego and vine-ripened tomato offering and finish with a sweet something like a coffee pannacotta with a salted caramel macaron. 

Things to do in Bendigo

As much as we love all things Melbourne, even we occasionally need a break from the big city. Here's all the inspiration you need to plan your next weekend escape.

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Bendigo is a vibrant contemporary regional centre, boasting beautiful streets created from one of the world’s greatest gold rushes. Every visit will reveal new surprises and experiences.

Things To Do

Art and Culture

Eat and Drink

What's On

About Bendigo

Castlemaine, Maldon & Surrounds

Castlemaine boasts a remarkable community of artists, writers, actors and designers, who offer a host of galleries, theatres, festivals, bookshops and boutiques. It’s a theme that runs through nearby Maldon, Newstead and Harcourt.

The Mill Castlemaine

Victorian Goldfields Railway

Things to do

Arts and Culture

Maryborough & Surrounds

Rich in history and opportunity... today’s visitors come to Maryborough and the surrounding villages for many reasons. Many come to wander through the lovely box-ironbark forests with their wildflowers, birds and superb display of Wattle in the spring. Others come to research family history and discover a connection to the Victorian gold rush, or to visit nearby wineries or explore markets, galleries and museums.

Maryborough Railway Station

Talbot Farmers Market

Coiltek Gold Centre

Loddon Valley

Take a deep breath… and travel along the meandering roads of the Loddon Valley. They start at untouched historic villages, weave their way up to spectacular views on granite strewn hilltops, through ancient forests, and then alongside wide flowing rivers and vast wetlands.

Natural Wonders

Antiques and Collectables

Wedderburn Coach House Gallery and Museum

Bendigo Art Gallery

One of Australia's oldest and largest regional galleries presenting innovative exhibitions alongside a dynamic and varied suite of public programs and events. Our collection is extensive, with an emphasis on 19th century European art and Australian art from the 1800's, alongside a strong collection of contemporary Australian art.

Visiting the Gallery

Bendigo Venues & Events

Bendigo Venues and Events nurtures, develops, presents and celebrates performing arts and culture for Bendigo and central Victorian communities.

Welcome to Bendigo Venues and Events

Throughout the year, find fabulous festivals and events offering the perfect chance to meet the friendly residents, taste the great local produce and see why Heathcote is one of the best, and most beautiful, places in the world.

The express V/Line service from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station will get you to Bendigo in just over 90 minutes. To travel by train, grab a Myki card, available for purchase at Southern Cross Station, online at ptv.vic.gov.au or the Bendigo Visitor Centre.

The Station is just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre including the View Street precinct, Chancery Lane, Rosalind Park and historic gold rush buildings. From here you can get the Bendigo Talking Tram (tickets required) to many of our iconic Bendigo attractions. A local bus service also operates around town, and you can use your Myki to catch these.

Regular train and bus services from Bendigo can also take you to other great places such as Maryborough, Castlemaine, Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca, Daylesford, Ballarat and Geelong.

Fairer Fares in Regional Victoria with V/Line 

No matter where you live in Victoria, it will cost you the same daily amount to travel by V/Line, local trains, buses, or trams. The most you’ll pay is the same as a daily capped fare, which is currently $10 or $5 for concession. 

For shorter regional trips, it will be even less. And with weekend saver discounts, travel on Victoria’s regional network on weekends and public holidays, and your daily fare will currently only be $7.20 or $3.60 concession.

For more information visit vline.com.au or phone V/Line on 1800 800 007.

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The City of Greater Bendigo acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands across Bendigo.

We acknowledge and pay respect to their Elders past present and emerging. 

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