Bendigo
Bendigo is a charming and elegant regional city in central Victoria and an ideal base to explore Victoria's golden heritage. In the centre of town, gold rush era architecture nestles among century-old gardens, sidewalk cafés, art galleries and antique stores.
Quick facts
Population approximately 100,000
The richest goldfields in the world in the 1880s
Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Jaara Aborigines.
Activities and attractions
View a collection of Australian art dating back to 1850 at the Bendigo Art Gallery or drop in at one of the many fine private galleries and studios
Go underground at the restored Central Deborah Gold Mine, visitors descend dropping the equivalent of a thirty-storey building to explore the main, vertical shaft
Explore the city's heritage buildings and sites via the Beautiful Buildings self guided walking tour
Learn about Bendigo's history take a ride on Bendigo's talking tram
Explore the Chinese Dragon Museum, home to the world's oldest and longest imperial Chinese dragon, 'Sun Loong'
Visit the historic Bendigo Pottery Australias oldest working producer of ceramics
Pick up a treasure at one of the many antique stores
Relax in one of the city's beautiful parks including Rosalind Park with its open air fernery, cascade waterfall and conservatory
Taste award-winning shiraz and cabernet at one of the local wineries
Cycle the Bendigo Bushland Trail past dazzling flowers, abundant wildlife, famous heritage buildings and relics of the pioneering past
Try your hand at fossicking for gold.
Major events
Bendigo International Maddison March
Eaglehawk Dalia and Arts Festival March
The Bendigo Easter Festival April
Bendigo Wine Festival April
Chrysanthemum Championships April
National Homemakers Expo June
National Sheep and Wool Show July
Bendigo Heritage Uncorked October
Heathcote Food and Wine Festival October
Elmore Field Days October
Bendigo Agricultural Show October
Bendigo Cup November
National Swap Meet November.
How to get there
Bendigo is just under 2 hours from Melbourne on the Calder Highway. V/Line trains operate daily services to Bendigo.
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Bendigo Art Gallery, established in 1887, is one of the oldest regional galleries in Australia
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Bendigo Pottery is Australia's oldest working pottery and has heritage kilns, retail pottery sales, Interpretive museum featuring a theatrette inside an old wood fired kiln, cafe, potters demonstrations, clay play activities and studio potters galleries.
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