Bendigo - attractions
Bendigo
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Bendigo Art Gallery
Established in 1887, the gallery hosts an outstanding collection of permanent displays and exhibitions
www.bendigoartgallery.com.au
Bendigo Botanic Gardens
Established in 1857, the gardens feature lovely mix of shady trees and green lawns on a 6 hectare site in the suburb of White Hills. Around the central billabong are heritage gardens which feature themed display gardens and plant collections.
www.bendigobotanicgardens.com.au
Bendigo Military Museum
Housed in the former Soldiers Memorial Institute, the museum showcases an extensive range of wartime military memorabilia from the Bendigo area.
www.bendigorsl.com.au
Bendigo Pottery
First established in 1858, Bendigo Pottery has been transformed into a tourist complex while still functioning as a pottery business. Visitors can learn about the history of Bendigo Pottery at the interpretive museum, engage in hands-on activities, browse collectables at the antique centre and shop for high quality tableware and cookware pottery.
www.bendigopottery.com.au
Bendigo Regional Park
Located on the outskirts of Bendigo, this park covers over 15,000 hectares and preserves relics of gold mining history including building foundations, mine shafts and mullock heaps. The park is also a great place for recreational activities such as bushwalking, mountain bike riding, four-wheel driving, prospecting and camping.
www.parks.vic.gov.au
Bendigo Tramways
Take a 4 kilometre trip on Bendigo's vintage Talking Tram with its crafted seats, stain glassed features and intricate workmanship. The journey passes a number of attractions including the Alexandra Fountain, Sacred Heart Cathedral and Lake Weeroona. Also visit the tram museum situated at Australia's oldest operating tram depot and workshop.
www.bendigotramways.com
Central Deborah Gold Mine
Located at the terminus of the vintage "Talking Tram", Central Deborah Gold Mine allows visitors to explore a real gold mine on an underground tour, 61 metres below the surface. Not for the faint-hearted, this journey through tunnels and tombs is an adventurous day trip for those who are keen to don a miner's lamp and hard hat to sample the sights.
www.central-deborah.com
Discovery Science & Technology Centre
Hundreds of hands-on exhibits and discovery activities, including a planetarium, designed to appeal to a broad range of visitors
www.discovery.asn.au
Golden Dragon Museum
Uncover the heritage of Bendigo's Chinese people at this museum which displays thousands of artefacts, some dating back as far as the Shang Dynasty. It is also home to Bendigo's famous processional dragons. Outside the front of the museum are the Yi Yuan Chinese Gardens and Guan Yin Temple.
www.goldendragonmuseum.org
Goldfields Track
The Goldfields Track covers a distance of 210 kilometres, taking in historic mining areas and a variety of natural features. It is divided into 4 smaller tracks and follows the top of the Great Dividing Range, connecting the cities of Ballarat and Bendigo. The 44 kilometre Eureka Track starts at Mount Buninyong, passing through Ballarat and onto Creswick. The 60 kilometre Wallaby Track links Creswick with Daylesford. The 48 kilometre Dry Diggings Track extends from Daylesford to Hepburn Springs and Castlemaine. The 58 kilometre Leanganook Track section links Castlemaine with Bendigo.
www.goldfieldstrack.com.au
Greater Bendigo National Park
Spanning over 17,000 hectares and featuring abundant spring wildflower displays, the park features relics from gold mining activities, forestry and eucalyptus oil production
www.parks.vic.gov.au
Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
Explore the largest Buddhist shrine in the Western World, located within bushland on the outskirts of Bendigo. Rising to a height of 48 metres, the stupa presents an overview of Buddhism to visitors and is home to a Tibetan museum with beautifully preserved artefacts. Wander through the Peace Park and discover native and exotic plants, see large statues and other monuments which celebrate many faiths. There is an on-site vegetarian cafe and gift shop.
www.stupa.org.au
Joss House Temple
The heritage-listed Joss House was built in the 1860s as a house of prayer by Chinese immigrants working as miners in the goldfields. Discover the world of Chinese culture, learn about their religious rituals and what life was like for those during the Gold Rush period.
www.bendigojosshouse.com
Lake Eppalock
Located on the Campaspe River between Bendigo and Heathcote, Lake Eppalock provides irrigation and domestic water to the local district. It is also a popular recreation area with activities including fishing, boating, waterskiing and swimming. Camping is available at several caravan parks located around the lake and there are also designated picnic areas and BBQ facilities.
www.g-mwater.com.au
O'Keefe Rail Trail
A 50 kilometre walking and cycling trail between Bendigo's Lake Weeroona and Heathcote, via the town of Axedale. It passes through areas of native woodland and wildflowers, with a causeway across Lake Eppalock.
www.railtrails.org.au
The Capital
The Capital is an ornate Victorian era building that was built in 1873 and is classified by the National Trust. It is the venue for hundreds of concerts, shows, exhibitions, events and functions.
www.bendigoregion.com.au
Ulumbarra Theatre
Located at the historic Sandhurst Gaol, this performing arts complex includes a 950 seat theatre which hosts stage productions and concerts
www.bendigoregion.com.au