Step back in time with a visit to Bendigo in regional Victoria, just a two-hour drive north of Melbourne. Its gold rush history, historic buildings, towering Victorian architecture, vintage trams and Chinese heritage make Bendigo a popular holiday destination for families, couples and friends wanting a country trip with a dash of hip.
The land here is Dja Dja Wurrung country, home to the Jaara People, who are its traditional owners. You can learn more about the areas Indigenous history, culture and customs at the Dja Dja Wurrung clans website.
Bendigo has a unique history of being the home of Australia’s gold rush boom. After the land here was taken from Indigenous tribes by pastoralists, it was soon overrun with shanty towns when gold was discovered in 1851 and fortune-seekers flocked to the area to try their luck.
The wealth that was created here so quickly is reflected in the wide streets and beautiful Victorian buildings that evidence the prosperity and influence of Bendigo in the late 19th century.
Getting there:
Many people make the mistake of trying to visit Bendigo on a day trip from Melbourne but we recommend staying a few nights to fully explore all that this beautiful regional city has to offer. Think country hospitality and a cosmopolitan vibe mixed in with a rich history.
The drive from Melbourne is an easy one hour and fifty minutes. The train, from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne takes a little less time and arrives at the impressive Bendigo Train Station. It’s best to have a car with you to explore, and if you don’t have your own you can hire one in town.
When to go:
Cold during winter and hot during summer, from October to April the peak temperature is in the mid to high 20s, while the winter months average around 12 degrees, and colder at night.
The annual Bendigo tulip festival is on in September/October each year when the warmer weather prompts more than 50,000 tulips to open. During October and November Mica Grange opens its gardens to the public and all year you’ll find exhibitions, arts and craft and workshops.
The best things to do in Bendigo:
Join a free heritage walk
Free Bendigo heritage walking tours are held from Thursday to Sunday, or you can pick up a brochure from the Bendigo Visitors Centre (in the heritage Post Office) and design your own. It includes an entertaining account of the Bendigo gold rush boom in 1851 and a sobering explanation of how the Aboriginal community was treated and displaced from their land.
Explore Rosalind Park
The 60 acres of Rosalind Park is one of Bendigo’s most impressive and historical places to visit. Once a woodland with a creek and pools used by the Dja Dja Wurrung people for food, it was transformed into a muddy goldfield with the goldrush boom, and then finally into this impressive parkland for the community.
The park has a beautiful playground, sculptures, an observatory, the Poppet Head lookout tower, and is home to the annual tulip display. You can visit the creek and take the Rosalind Park Discovery Walk –you can grab a brochure from the Visitors Centre.
Beautiful Rosalind Park
Visit Central Deborah Gold Mine
A visit to the Central Deborah Gold Mine is a real step back in time to Bendigo’s gold mining history, and where you can explore secret tunnels on the deepest underground mine tour in Australia at 228 metres underground.
Pic: Deborah Mine
Ride a vintage tram
From the Central Deborah Gold Mine you can hop onto one of the vintage trams that slowly makes it way through the city past the Cathedral, along Pall Mall, past Lake Weeroona and finally finishes at the Joss House Temple.
Learn about Chinese history in Bendigo
Chinese culture is a huge part of Bendigo history and after visiting the Joss House Temple, the Golden Dragon Museum is a must. Take your time to wander around the museum with a great variety of Chinese artifacts and then enjoy the tranquillity at the Yi Yuan Gardens and Guan Yin Temple included in the museum ticket.
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is a Buddhist temple and the largest stupa in the Western World. The Great Stupa is a short drive from Bendigo.
Bendigo Pottery in Epsom
Bendigo Pottery in Epsom has a huge range of pottery and has some of the oldest kilns in Australia dating back to 1858. The interactive museum is a great learning experience – you can use clay, decorate places and learn how to use the pottery wheel. Don’t miss the antiques and collectables store next door.
Bendigo Botanic Gardens
Bendigo’s Botanic Gardens is one of regional Vistoria’s oldest gardens and was established in 1857. The gardens surround a billabong, and there are BBQ facilities and an incredible Alice in Wonderland inspired playground with rooms created by hedges, croquet and a fort.
Lake Weeroona
Lake Weeroona is a Bendigo favourite – its’ 18 hectares of lake and reserve replaced a dusty old mining site and now it’s a beautiful place for families to walk, ride and play and enjoy the outdoors. You can catch the vintage tram here and play, wander the lake, grab a meal and just enjoy.
Strathdale Park Play Space
Strathdale Park Play Space is another wonderful playground that’s perfect for kids to run off some energy and enjoy the outdoors.
Lake Neangar Playspace in Eaglehawk
Lake Neangar Playspace is an amazing outdoor play area inspired by Banjo Pattersons poem poem Mulga Bill’s Bicycle
It has a butterfly themes play area for younger children called Where angels play. If you have bikes, bring them along and follow the Mulga Bill Bike track from the playground.
Where to stay
The Hotel Shamrock was built in the 19th century, and is in an excellent location on Pall Mall. You will feel like you have stepped back into the gold rush era with the historic façade and stunning interiors. It’s a perfect spot to explore the city.
Next to Lake Weeroona, The Comfort Inn Julie-Anna is well-priced and has everything you need including delicious food at the restaurant. It’s in a great location for those early morning walks around the lake.
You can check out more accomoodation options in Bendigo here.
Bendigo comes with a great range of Airbnb options suiting couples or families. Think cute cottages with easy access to exploring Bendigo on foot.
Where to eat
There is no shortage of food options in Bendigo, and there is something for every budget. Mason’s of Bendigo has been awarded a hat from The Age Good Food Guide and they focus on using local produce to design beautiful plates of food. Make sure you book as they are very popular and can book out quickly.
The Woodhouse Bendigo has the most delicious steaks and Alium Dining is a newcomer to Bendigo fine dining offerings.
If you want great prices and delicious meals check out GPO, The Dispensary, Harpoon Social Club, MsBatterhams and for gorgeous views over Bendigo, put Nimbus Rooftop Bendigo on your list. The cocktails are just as good as the food!
Bendigo takes pride in its coffee, check out El Gordo in Chancery Lane, Old Green Bean, Adam & Eve, Hustler and Percy & Percy.
Enjoy your visit!
About the Author:
Kate Comer is an expert on Bali and Bendigo and recently began her new Bendigo website, Travel Around Bendigo
You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.