Bendigo

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.

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.

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 – Australia’s 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.