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.

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. You 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