Overview
Experience the contrasts of Bendigo, a city with a vibrant arts hub and world-class food and wine scene, rich gold-rush history, grand architecture and magnificent gardens.
Sample stunning contemporary cuisine in historic buildings. Admire modern art in venues new and old, and explore the city's fascinating history at museums, gardens and galleries.
When exploring Bendigo, you're visiting the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People.
Steeped in history
Take a walk or ride on a talking tram and explore the city's gold-rush heritage architecture. Don a miner's hat and dig up a wealth of gold-rush history on a tour of the Central Deborah Gold Mine, or explore the city's Chinese heritage at the Golden Dragon Museum. Get behind the wheel at Australia's oldest working pottery, Bendigo Pottery, or admire the delightful conservatory, cascade waterfall and open-air fernery of Rosalind Park.
Art abounds
Discover Bendigo's vibrant arts precinct while wandering along View Street. Pop into the Bendigo Art Gallery (1887), which contains a collection of Australian art dating back to the 1850s and attracts significant exhibitions from across the globe. Explore the host of smaller galleries and antique stores around town and take a stroll down Chancery and Bath Lanes for an encounter with colourful street art.
For performing arts, catch shows big and small at the elegant Capital Theatre (1873) and the Ulumbarra Theatre, a striking complex on the grounds of the historic Sandhurst Gaol.
UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy
The Bendigo region has long set the standard for food and wine experiences. The 2019 designation as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy – an Australian first – recognises the creativity and uniqueness of Bendigo and the surrounding region's thriving food and wine scene, and the strong community behind it.
Celebrate the paddock-to-plate philosophy with a meal to remember at some of the region's top restaurants, such as Masons of Bendigo and steak experts The Woodhouse. Take time out to visit some of the 80 local wineries in the renowned Bendigo and Heathcote wine regions. Dine with a view of the vines, sample local varietals at cellar doors, and learn why the area is famous for its magnificent shiraz.
Foodies, prepare to fossick for fabulous local produce at farmers markets and green grocers across the region. Use the interactive Gastronomy Guide to discover stand-out restaurants, experiences and gastronomy trails and plan your foodie adventure.
Free wi-fi
Get free wi-fi around town, including at Bendigo Gallery and the View Street Arts Precinct.
