Bendigo Accommodation

Located about 150km north-west of Melbourne, Bendigo is the fourth largest city in Victoria and has a population of over 100,000.

Bendigo has a rich heritage dating back to the 1850s, when gold was first discovered in the area. This history has filled the city with unparalleled wealth and grandeur. Stunning architecture, beautiful tree-lined streets, manicured gardens and grand museums are the visible legacy of Bendigo's historic wealth. A cosy bed and breakfast or spacious holiday house in Bendigo will make for a perfect base to explore this vibrant city and the surrounding area.

Getting to Your Bendigo Accommodation

You have several options for getting to your Bendigo accommodation. Any holiday house or holiday apartment in Bendigo will be no more than a two hour drive from Melbourne. The quickest way is to follow the Citylink/M2 through the northern suburbs onto Calder Highway. Then follow the Midland Highway all the way into Bendigo.

From Ballarat, it's a straight one hour and 30min drive north up the Calder Highway to Bendigo. From Adelaide it's six hours and 30min along National Highway A8. And from Sydney and Canberra, you can get onto the Hume Freeway and turn off at Sheparton, reaching Bendigo in six hours and 30min and eight hours and 30min, respectively.

On public transport, there is an hourly two hour train service from Melbourne Southern Cross Station to Bendigo. There's also a twice-daily coach service direct from Adelaide, which takes around eight hours.

What to eat on your holiday in Bendigo

You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining in Bendigo. Discover quaint eateries in old corners, restaurants in European inspired lanes or fine dining in gold rush era buildings. The Woodhouse, is the city’s only Redgum char-grill steakhouse and offers an excellent dining experience by combining quality, fresh produce and professional service. Savour charcuterie produced on the premises such as smoked Wagyu beef, organic lamb, beef carpaccio and chorizo.

The Old Green Bean in Lyttleton terrace is a small roastery which serves quality coffee and food in a friendly environment. The menu includes croque mushroom, salmon on rye, chickpea dhosa and Thai salads. If you are looking to try some authentic Asian dishes then the House of Khong is the place for you. The extensive menu features beef in plum sauce, Szechuan steak, sweet roast pork, Mongolian chicken, Peking prawns and much more!

Explore Bendigo's outstanding art scene

It is easy to immerse yourself in Bendigo’s diverse art and culture. The Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the oldest and largest regional art galleries in Australia. The gallery has a great collection of 18th century Australian paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.

The Capital Theatre (formerly the Masonic temple) is located in View Street and hosts live music and performing arts. Be sure to visit the Golden Dragon Museum to learn about the city's Chinese heritage and Sun Loong, the longest imperial dragon in the world.

The Ulumbarra Theatre is known for hosting performing arts and live music. Explore the Central Deborah Gold Mine’s underground tunnels to experience the city’s mining history. The La Trobe Art Institute, in the heart of Bendigo's arts precinct, exhibits contemporary art by local and international artists.

The Living Arts Space provides an exhibition venue which showcases work by artists, craftspeople and emerging talents from Bendigo. Set in a lovely garden, the Gail Tavener Studio at Emmett Street provides visitors with a unique experience. The studio has an impressive collection of paintings, photographs, limited edition prints and cards.

Family Holidays in Bendigo

Bendigo is full of fun historical activities geared towards families. Visit the Central Deborah Gold Mine, open for visitors three and up. Visit the family-friendly Golden Dragon Museum, which traces the history of the local Chinese community since they arrived during the 1850s Gold Rush. And take the famous Talking Tram, a refurbished heritage railway car kids will love. It takes you through the city while following an audio tour over the loudspeaker.

It's not all about history, though. The Discovery Science and Technology Centre is all about the future. And with interactive displays, plenty of buttons to push, and lots of exciting inventions, it's a sure-fire hit with kids. As is Confectionery Capers, a unique attraction that is basically a warehouse full of toys, many of which are mechanically operated when you (or your little ones) push a button. For more active family activities, the Zone Family Entertainment Complex has laser tag, go-karts, skating, mini golf, and more.

What to do and see in Bendigo

The gold rush funded many famous buildings in the city, including the Alexandra Fountain, Bendigo Town Hall, the old post office (which now houses the Bendigo Visitor Information Centre) and the law courts. Stroll through the tree-lined streets and visit galleries displaying Australian art, or sample finest Bendigo wines at the local wineries. Colonial Victorian style buildings flank the streets of Bendigo, reminding visitors that the city was considered the world's major gold rush destination. Take a walk or hop on a Bendigo Tramways Talking Tram and discover city’s historic past.

You can also take a tour of Bendigo Town Hall or the Post Office both of which reflect the splendour and abundance of region's golden age. Another popular attraction is the century-old Bendigo Joss House Temple, a unique red brick building dedicated to Kwan Gong, the god of prosperity and war.

Be sure to visit Bendigo Pottery, Australia's oldest working pottery, which is home to an amazing collection of ceramics including clay pipes, bricks, roof tiles and tableware. Bendigo also has several lakes, gardens and parks. Lake Weerona is set amidst 18 hectares of greenery, which also features a man-made lake.

Rosalind Park is a Victorian-style garden, which features sculpture, a blue stone viaduct, a cascade waterfall and a lookout tower offering panoramic views of the city. Bendigo Botanical Gardens is one of Australia's oldest botanic gardens and is home to various native animals including coots, ducks and purple swamphens.

Events to enjoy in Bendigo

Bendigo is known for its wine festivals, celebrations and expos which take place throughout the year. At the Bendigo Craft Beer and Cider Festival, for example, you can sample beer and cider from across the country. There are over 100 unique beverages to try along with living music, food trucks and plenty of fun

The Heathcote region is internationally renowned for producing the finest Shiraz. Get a taste of authentic Shiraz at the Heathcote Wine and Food Festival which also features tasting seminars, live music, kids’ activities and delicious regional foods.

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